We recently connected with Austin Shields and have shared our conversation below.

Austin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

When I was a kid, I used to mess around and try to make beats on garage band, but eventually I had given up on it. I didn’t REALLY learn how to make beats until I met one of my best friends, Bryce (@prodbamt), in the ninth grade. He would show me his beats in class and in the halls, I thought they were sick, so eventually I had asked him to help me get FL Studio. Around when I first started, in late 2019, I was a big fan of Nick Mira and JetsonMade’s beats. I would watch Nick’s cookup livestreams all the time and that’s really how I learned a lot. Seeing his workflow is what helped me learn all the shortcuts in FL quickly, and how to make melodies from scratch. Knowing what I know now, I think that I could’ve studied other producers who inspired me, in addition to Nick, to learn even more about making beats and experimenting. I think the skills that were most essential, and still are, were knowing how to make drums and melodies from scratch. Obviously in the beginning it can be intimidating to learn something new, but with time and practice, it becomes second-nature. The more skills you know, the more tools you have to express yourself, and execute your ideas EXACTLY how you want too. I feel like at the time, the only obstacles that stood in the way of learning more were like school, and my parents. Any free time I had was dedicated to music. even when I should’ve been studying or doing homework, I was either making beats, or watching videos about making beats lol.

Austin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is austinpyo (PYO stands for put you on), I’m a musician and an entrepreneur. I grew up in Ajax, Ontario and started making beats back in 2019 when I was in high school. My Mom actually used to call me “beats” when I was a toddler because anytime I heard a beat, whether it was on the radio or someone banging on a table, I would bob my head to it lol. I’ve always had a special relationship with music and the arts, but up until high school I didn’t know anyone who actually made music.

When I first started, I would make type beats and post them on youtube. My page ended up being pretty successful and helped me sell beats early on in my career. This lasted up until 2022, when I eventually got tired of people stealing beats, and feeling bound to one sound. I decided to focus on making the beats that I wanted to make and giving them directly to artists. I think what sets me apart is the ethereal/ambient/melodic melodies and beats that I make, those get a lot of love, and I love making them. Songs like “That’s Hard” by Anycia and Cash Cobain, “Go Hezzy” by Milan, and “BFF” by Shaio, are some of my favorite songs that I have been apart of that showcase this sound. Pushing this sound to the mainstream is one of my main goals right now.

Back in early 2024, I helped produce a record for Anycia and Latto called “Back Outside”. The song went viral in the summer and, as of right now, is the biggest song that I have been apart of. It was on Billboard charts, performed at concerts worldwide, and has over 15 million streams on Spotify alone. It was pretty cool seeing something that I had been apart of be appreciated on a scale like that. Some of my family and friends were actually big fans of the song lol. Late last year I had flown out to New York City to breakdown the beat for Back Outside, and make beats from scratch live on On The Radar with my good friend and coproducer Tyh (@liltyh). I think that song, along with the other records that I was apart of in 2024, really showed people what I am capable of. I know that God has WAY more in store for me in the future though. I got a lot planned for this year, even outside of music, and I cant wait to show people what I been working on. I’m actually dropping clothes in the VERY near future, keep an eye out for Hard Hitter (@hardhitter.co)!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I just want to do what I love, make good art, and inspire others along the way. Someone who really inspires me is Pharrell. From the music, to the fashion, to how he articulates himself, Its all very inspiring to me. I’m not so much focused on goals like going platinum or making hit songs, I know that stuff will happen along the journey. I’m confident that as long as I continue to create, experiment, and explore new ideas that I will continue to see success.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

There is a tweet from one of my favorite musicians, Nami (@namiondas), it reads, “If you’re idols are putting in more work than you and you’re not at their level, the proof is in the pudding. Don’t let someone more successful than you outwork you , DUH!” This tweet changed my whole mentality when it came to music and business. It’s such an obvious piece of information, but I think a lot of people fail to implement it in their lives. If you aren’t making sacrifices, taking risks, and putting your all into what you do, how do you expect to reach that NEXT level? I love this quote, shoutout to Nami.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _austinpyo
• Twitter: sihkpyo
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7p2OyNTKIOd4XRbY7rIP3S?si=8Mpln5KVQA68vLq7MjRvLA

Image Credits

The picture that I have the “Dancing Dead Queen” shirt was taken by @shotbyj2_

All other photos were taken by friends no credit is needed.