We were lucky to catch up with Alec Sartain recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Alec thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I took initiative. Instead of putting something down when you get discouraged (for whatever reason), you gotta stay on it. It’s the only way you’re going to get better. I had an older step brother who download Fruity Loops 3, but had said I’d never figure it out. Also paying your dues. I wasn’t satisfied with just making beats, I wanted to learn how to engineer songs as well. I had to pay for that knowledge & training, along with my own inner will-power. Honestly speaking you’re either getting better or getting worse at your craft, which is dependent on your focus on it. A “master” is someone who is pushing to fulfill their potential, not just hitting a certain point and being satisfied. Not being satisfied is what fuels greatness.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Born Alec Daniel Sartain in Kansas City, MO on 11-28-1991, some of you may know him as Smartalec On The Track. In 2010 he stamped his brand Subliminal Beatz as a household name in the underground/Independent hip-hop scene by producing two albums for JL & production on CES Cru’s debut EP & LP for Strange Music, along with producing for associated acts Kung Fu Vampire, Nesto The Owner, Jeff Turner to name a few. Come 2015, he started Subliminal Music Group and began executive producing albums for artists Jesus-Divine, Hurracane, King Kihei, Six Lungs, Marcus Patrick, CG Benji, DonDrizzy, Nicolette Paige & Tae Mele’, and are now distributed through Universal Music Group. He has also since produced for upcoming artists Millie Go Lightly, Stephen Jailon, & Trizz.
Present day, ‘Helsing’ is emerging as a Nü Metal, Hard Rock, Rock, Alternative, Grunge & Industrial music as a solo artist. Inspired by Lil Peep, Ghostemane, XXXTENTACION, Tech N9ne, Playboi Carti, Juice WRLD, Nirvana, Korn, Slipknot, System Of A Down, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Orgy, Marilyn Manson, Eminem, Deftones to name a few. He has teamed up with multi-platinum producer/engineer Robert Rebeck who is responsible for Tech N9ne’s first 13 studio albums. Unsafe to say, Helsing brings a raw but refined texture unlike anything that’s out, an imperfectly perfect duality between light & dark.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Freeing yourself. Music is definitely a form of therapy, but also allows you to transmute and release built up energy inside. Music is a universal language. So you’re able to easily communicate a feeling and/or vibration without having to spell it out. It’s a doorway to the unknown, the abyss. You can connect with your subconscious mind a lot easier when working on music.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Quality content & money. If you have 8 hours to cut down a tree, spend 7 sharpening your blade. Master your craft, become a mag scientist. When you feel you have someone of quality to share with the world, you have to put money behind it. Nothing is free, not even attention.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SubliminalMusicGroup.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/smartalecboomin?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100063669637734/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/smartalecboomin?s=21&t=LdV5tj2LA-uLoHw6MZqZww
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/SubliminalMusicGroup
- Other: https://linktr.ee/therealHelsing
Image Credits
@InnerDemonCross