We were lucky to catch up with Jason Lung recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jason, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Most of what I currently utilise in terms of technique and skill, especially in music production and writing, are purely a byproduct of my environment. Whether it be the music I listen to, artists I’m inspired by, or the talents of friends I surround myself with. I feel like you have to open up your door to be susceptible to learning and analysing in order to truly grow. I’ve never taken any instrument or production classes outside of/prior to my college classes in Berklee. Yet, I still feel as if 80% of what I actually utilise in my artistry came from analysing the music that inspires me and experimenting with different techniques, whether it be successful or not. There’s no drawbacks to experimenting or stepping out of the box; one can only find their middleground once they’ve reached the edges of their limit. Knowing what I know now, I do wish I experimented more in the earlier stages of college as I didn’t start producing my own music until the third year. If I were to go back, I’d tell myself to just make it, just try, see where it goes, as any experience improves you even by a hair. The most essential skills that I think impact me the most today are definitely creative recording methods and sound mangling. I find myself constantly looking for more ways to make an instrument sound different, creating different rooms and soundscapes and inviting the listener into a private sonic journey. The only obstacle in my opinion is your own determination. We have all these resources online that it sometimes feels too much, you really don’t know what to look for if everything is at your disposal. If you gain enough control over your own determination, then nothing is stopping you from learning more.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a music artist who produces, writes, records, and performs for myself and other artists. I mainly play guitar and have picked up bass for producing. I’m also a vocalist. I started off in high school just playing guitar and singing songs, with my main focus on writing lyrics that are different from others. I was very captivated by lyricism and reading between the lines of songs I listened to. Afterwards, I got accepted to Berklee and drastically improved my artistic arsenal tenfold just by being around people who inspired me and being constantly exposed to new music. I’d say the biggest thing that sets me apart from others is the experimental nature of my music, the urge to exceed limitations and always striving to find something new and unused. I always question myself on every project, “Does this song sound like a song I’ve heard before? Do I want it to?”. The music I make for my own alias is a true representation of exactly what’s going on in my head. I try to be as raw as possible, targeting what could potentially be more of a niche audience. But these esoteric experiences could potentially provide stronger emotional responses for those who understand and create their own meaning for. I actually find it more difficult to make something “familiar” or “popular” as it makes me feel more restricted to certain guidelines or standards in specific genres. As a producer, I provide a service that can work hand in hand with the furthest depths of another artist’s mind if they wish to create something like that. I also don’t have any specific genre that I’m biased towards and actually have produced songs of many different genres, gaining experience from each and creating a sort of amalgamated arsenal.
Recently, I’ve also stepped into the world of photography and am currently doing professional photography as a career as well. I started off specialising in automotive photography as a car enthusiast and now also provide artist, concert, portrait, and real estate photography. In terms of digital photography, my workload is mainly specialised and orchestrated in the editing phase on Lightroom. I’ve also picked up film photography (both 35mm & 120) and provide services for them as well, specialising in framing and conceptual/experiemental images. Photography has become, in a sense, my main source of income as it’s something that I’m very enthusiastic about and constantly strive to improve. What I offer that allows me to stand out from others is ability to cater to the personalised concepts that you, as a customer, want to achieve. The same demeanor and mentality I possess in music is reflected upon my photography; I’m always looking to try something different.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect has to be the ability to express yourself through different mediums. Sometimes, the emotions and experiences I’m going through are oftentimes tough to evoke through words alone. In music, every instrument, every track, every chord, every note, every syllable comes together and enhances what could be a simple sentence; thus, multiplying a certain phrase into a whole atmosphere that is not only heard, but felt. This can be translated into other creative mediums such as a poetry, writing, dancing, etc.
This also translates over to my photography, most specifically, the film photography aspect. The limited frames, wait time, lack of assurance, and inability to check a photo until it is developed, makes me hone into the image’s framing. With manual exposure and manual focusing in hand, you become someone who is both in full control, yet, in no control of the outcome all at once. The composition of an image then becomes so delicate and fragile, forcing you to truly dial in on one image instead of spamming photos and hoping one of them turns out good enough. That philosophy plays hand in hand with musical attention to detail.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I think the main drive behind my artistic endeavors is to one day be understood. To have someone listen and look at my creations and projects and say “I understand you, I know what you mean”. Sometimes there’s just too much clutter in my head that I need somewhere to print it out to make room for the other thoughts to breathe. To finish a project means I’ve successfully translated something intangible into reality where it can be experienced by other people. If my work can one day influence and make others feel the same way I felt about the art that inspired me, then I’ve succeeded in being a creative. I feel as if the industry is so saturated with the same ideas being recycled, mushed, and copied. I strive for the ability to be someone who truly expresses myself without the fear of not fitting in.
Contact Info:
- Website: jasonlateau.com / lateau.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: @jason.lateau / @isf_asf
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jasonlateau
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lateau
Image Credits
Chelsea Elizabeth Lin