We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Rajput. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. 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?

**How did you learn to do what you do?**

I’m a big believer in learning by doing, or “trial by fire.” I’m a singer, songwriter, producer, and artist now building an agency to help creators monetize their art and brands. When I started writing songs at 17, I had none of the skills or abilities I have now. I was studying Mechanical Engineering because I didn’t believe in my chances of succeeding in the arts, and as a first-generation Pakistani American with immigrant parents facing financial struggles, I felt even more pressure. Despite this, I pursued my passion wherever I could—creating two bands (which I eventually left), paying for singing lessons and songwriting workshops, and working part-time jobs throughout college to fund my music. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t just dived in and learned along the way.

**Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?**

There are two parts to any field, especially creative fields. First is developing the necessary skills (obviously, you can’t work in a field without the skills!). Second, don’t wait until you feel “ready” to start meeting people in your field. Once you have some skills, get out there, meet people, and make friends with others on a similar path. This helps you gauge your skill level and find like-minded people to grow with, which can speed up the process tremendously. My bandmate and I only recently started collaborating with people in the music industry, writing, producing, and pitching music. We realized we were better than we thought and could have started this process years earlier, but we held back because we didn’t feel “ready.” Don’t make the same mistake—start, even if you don’t feel ready.

– *Tip*: Find people who share your goals and figure out how to support each other. New and unknown paths are often best traveled in groups.

**What skills do you think were most essential?**

A passion and willingness to learn are essential, along with the ability to create a feedback loop to grow quickly. People skills are also key for connecting with others and finding collaborators.

**What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?**

I lacked direct access to information about the industry. When I started, there weren’t as many resources available about the music business as there are now. Today, there are countless creator accounts that break down songs, music production, and even the business side of art, offering resources to develop the skills you need. You just have to look for them.

David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a singer, songwriter, producer and artist who is now building an agency helping creators monetize their art and brands (called ELEVENTEN). When I started off writing songs at 17 I had no skills or ability to do what I’m doing now. I was going to school for Mechanical Engineering because of my own lack of beliefs to succeed in the arts field as well as being a first generation Pakistani American with immigrant parents who were financially struggling. On the side, I did everything I knew at the time to pursue my passion from creating two bands (which I eventually left), to paying for singing lessons and songwriting workshops with my part time jobs that I worked throughout college.

How I got into music:

I’ve always had this passion for music as a kid. A core memory of mine around music is : I remember watching ‘Indian Idol’ for kids on TV at home one night while my mom had it on the TV and I remember feeling awe at how cool the kid on stage was (I was 9-11 yrs old at the time). It made me want to be on stage and do the same thing as him and the other kids performing. Also, my mom used to burn CD’s of the ‘Latest Bollywood Songs’ and play them in her black Chevy Impala and we would both sing along to the songs while driving around. I think it’s the joy I felt while singing with her that really influenced me to keep pursuing the arts even when I went to college and till now. (I’m 28 now).

Currently I’m one half of the pop duo ‘No Fltr’ a small independent band. I’m super excited about all the music we’ll be rolling out towards the end of the year as well as in 2025. The project has been in the works for 5 years and there’s so much learning and growing that has happened within those years, from both a skill and even a emotional maturity level, that I’m super excited for what’s in store for us.

I grew up lonely, and music was one of the few things that was always there for me (other than anime). I hope the music that I make can help others through their own tough times and maybe even become the soundtrack to their lives in some fashion. Honestly, even if it only moves a few people, thats enough for lil old me.

Why I/We created ELEVENTEN:

ELEVENTEN is an agency created by me and my bandmate Hunter from ‘No Fltr’. After hearing of the amount of horror stories about musicians and artists careers and the mismanagement that happens in the industry, we decided to do everything we could to learn about the business side of the industry to be better informed and not get screwed over. We learned everything from creative branding, to marketing, sales and even how to run our own ads on a bunch of platforms. We’ve done most of everything ourselves and we’re now building our own team that we’ll be expanding in 2025. It’s something I’m super excited for.

What sets us apart is our love for the art as well as our willingness to go above and beyond for the people we work with.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I realized that I hadn’t given myself enough credit for everything I’d accomplished—from the 8-12 hours of driving I did for writing and recording sessions after working a full-time, 40-hour week, to all the money I spent on music, ads, and content creation, and the countless songs I wrote. I constantly felt like I wasn’t doing enough, like nothing I did really mattered, and that no matter how much I put in, it would never be enough.

Unlearning this mentality has been tough, and it’s still something I’m working on. Thankfully, I have a great support system around me—people who keep me grounded and help me see things clearly, so I’m not pulled down by my own doubts.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As the lead singer of the pop duo No Fltr, my goal is to connect with others and build a community where people feel seen and heard. Growing up, I was always the black sheep and had a hard time fitting in. I want to create a space for the “little me” and others like me to belong.

As the founder of ELEVENTEN, I’m driven to disrupt the industry and lead a new age of artist-entrepreneurs. Music has become so commoditized by capitalism that it’s lost much of its intrinsic value. With the changing landscape of tech and streaming, my mission is to empower and educate musicians and artists to take control of their careers. I want to inspire them to see themselves not just as artists, but as businesspeople who can shape their own paths.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nofltrtunes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nofltrtunes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nofltrtunes