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

Tdogdaruler, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

While I finishing up some music courses at community college, I got an internship at a boutique studio in Hollywood. Treehouse studios was the name. The guy that ran it also ran a VW bus rental. I worked there for about 3 months, 2 days a week. I was doing all kinds of things. cleaning the studio for the next session, washing the buses, organizing things, running to the grocery store, filling out ads for the studio. You name it and I probably did it. Looking back, it was definitely interesting. It was fun. The guy that ran thought me how to hustle in the music industry, how to make money as an engineer and producer, but he didn’t do it in a way that was just through music. I would do like 20 tasks then he would tell me to book the studio for 3 session and I’d get a free session. I’d do just that. When I got my free sessions I asked the guy if I could trade them in for SitoCrazy and I, so we got to use the studio with a little discount. The main lesson I have learned from this internship is to always keep a side hustle. One week you will have the studio booked every hour and have to turn people down or tell them to come back. The next week you can only book one session. So, sometimes it becomes dry and you need to keep the revenue coming in. The other two things I learned are, always keep you workspace clean. No one wants to work in a dirty environment. Second one is, know your equipment. My first session I booked I did not know how to use his system, and in front of the client I was trying to figure everything out and I was struggling. Just make sure you know how it works and make sure it works before your client comes. If life permits, I definitely suggest getting an internship.

Tdogdaruler, 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?

Since I was young, I always wanted to do something in the music industry. In elementary I excelled in music class, middle school I played the drums, high school I was in choir and piano class. I was always really into old school Hip-Hop. Boom Bap type beats and adding soul samples to drum breaks. That is my favorite type of music. When I went to college, it opened my mind to different genres and I actually studied them. Now, one of my favorite genres is jazz. I understand how it’s played and it just makes sense to me. After high school, I moved to LA and went to community college and then went to a trade school called Musicians Institute. I went for the audio engineering program and it was amazing! I met a lot of dope people through both schools and a lot of musicians I still work with. I think what sets me apart from other engineers and producers is that I try to create a relationship with my clients. It is not all about work. Yes I am using my trade to help you but we can still have fun while doing it. I met SitoCrazy while in community college and him and I have grown a friendship through music. He is one of my favorite artist and I love working with him. We both have different missions but we share the same visions. I think the connection really helps when creating too. You are less vulnerable and able to release amazing energy to help create songs. I think the thing that I am most proud of is my growth, and how much I have taught myself and learned throughout the years of doing this. I love engineering and producing for other people but I am starting to create and image for myself and brand. I am releasing beat tapes and singles to cultivate my style and sound. I will always be willing to help other people create there’s but I am also creating mine and taking the step into a producer artist. I want to show my versatility across different genres, while creating a specific sound that is mine. I do love collaborating and my next goal is to produce an entire album for an artist. With that being said lets collaborate!!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Networking! I know everyone throws this word around. The more you network the more you will get clients. Consistency! Staying consistent with your craft. Just do at least 30 minutes a day and you will start to build a catalog. Just have fun! Don’t make it work, make it a hobby. Genially have fun. When Grandma bakes a pie and her secret ingredient is “love” she genially enjoys making the pie, and you can tell in the pie. Same thing for music. You can tell when it was just thrown together versus actually putting time and effort into it.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Like I said, Networking. Networking will get you many things. The more people you know the more stuff you have access to. I was lucky enough to meet an owner of a bar in Boyle Heights and he puts on shows and different events. I had my first performances there, Super dope guy and the bar is cool. I also do a lot of reaching out on IG. Sometimes I get responses and sometimes I don’t. It’s all worth a shot, right! As for building fans, just promote. Still trying to master the art of marketing but it is difficult with all the media that is thrown at us. I am trying to collaborate with as many artist as I can to promote myself through them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://solo.to/tdogdaruler?fbclid=PAAaaMyqpsey3uhyi19zkxE16BXO3GfV1pEG6mJ_rDUdOwsXNXcBTB5F8Xisg_aem_AUj3Z1ye2TBYrsRuZUGYIFooU7sJI7jWEVY_RwLG-RTQE4RtNUo6Lt3lXXHB8g_9WmE
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tdogdaruler/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tdogdaruler7504
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tdogdaruler/1511795927

Image Credits
Torin Winsborrow