We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sheldon Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheldon, thanks for joining 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?

Writing, producing, and visualizing musical concepts is no easy task. I began this musical journey in 2015 starting with writing songs and learning how to be charismatic on a microphone. Because I did not have direct instruction for how to go about my creative process, I started studying what other artist did by listening to their music intently. Artists like Drake, Juice WRLD, Tory Lanez, etc., are a few of the many artist that I’d listen to and learn from when singing their songs and trying to replicate their tonality and expression. Had I done a simple Youtube search on “how to record vocals with emotion” when I first began, I likely would have learned at a much faster rate, but nonetheless, I regret nothing. The most essential thing for me when learning any new craft within music is figuring out the ins and outs of the software that I need to complete a task. For recording music, Protools is my go-to DAW. For making beats, I am currently learning to use the MPC software. Having the motivation to learn the fundamentals of the software is absolutely key to my success. That lack of knowledge in the beginning is always a huge obstacle, but it’s one that can be overcome with persistence.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Sheldon. That name has been an icebreaker for me on many occasions because of the character in “The Big Bang Theory,” but we have great differences. I am a music connoisseur, artist, producer, and visionary that goes by the stage name “LBS” (pounds). I began writing music in 2015 and I started to learn how to mix my vocals around the same time. After years of being critiqued and failing to receive the emotional response that I desired, I decided that I would further my abilities by writing songs for others with their vision in mind. After quite a few song requests, I gained so many ideas and creative ways to approach music that I built more confidence and began searching for my own uniqueness in my personal creativity. I learned that I am at my best when I am being depended on by others, so I approach my music as if my future depends on it. I am now proud to say that I’ve created quite a few songs that I am elated about. I write, record, mix, and master my songs and have much more to learn in the realm of music. Anyone looking to get a song, or 4, written by LBS can reach me on IG @onlylbs_ or can request my services through Fiverr.com by searching for the username “onlylbs.”

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There was a time in the beginning of my musical career when I desperately wanted a professionally done project. I had never worked with an engineer before nor been in a real studio, so I did some research and found someone who could make magic. I was referred to a professional studio engineer by another individual in the music industry and I planned to create a 10 minute mixtape with 10 1-minute songs that would showcase my talents as a dynamic artist. Although I was oblivious to the cost for the recording, mixing, and mastering of my songs, I still felt that this was the right move and that I’d receive a quality like no other. Mannnnnn, after begging for the completed tracks weeks after they were supposed to have been finished, I listened to the songs with the utmost disappointment I had ever felt. I could not believe what I was hearing on my speakers. The clarity was non existent and everything just sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom on a cellphone. Did the engineer not see any worth in putting more effort toward the mixing of my songs? Was I just that bad in the booth? Was this his way of telling me to pick a new career path? I’m not sure what it was, but from that point on, I made it clear that I had a knowledge gap to fill and I was not going to allow someone to disappointment to that extent ever again. Since then, I’ve mixed and mastered some of my own songs and any professional that I chose to work with was someone I sought out myself and not just a reference from a friend of a friend.

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

After making music for quite some time, I asked myself if I had a particular purpose or goal in doing so. Besides the fact that I love good songs and projects, this is the goal that I wrote down and currently have on my wall: “Life Goal – To build a family of creatives and entrepreneurs who embrace the common goal of creating fun, positive, & inspirational experiences that encourage an environment of peace, love, unity, and respect while also educating people on the many factors that stimulate personal growth in the face of adversity.” This is what drives me to be great!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/onlylbs
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlylbs_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDaFcC2VFT6muAUNdUFaRrw
• Other: https://www.fiverr.com/onlylbs/write-a-catchy-hiphop-or-rap-song-that-will-attract-many-listeners

Image Credits
Victoria White