Masquerade's Songwriting and Music Production Diary

Releasing music after a fulfilling creative process is always exciting! There's a lot to consider when it comes to deciding exactly how you want to release your music. For musicians and producers looking to release music commercially, it's important to do extensive research and get as much advice as possible from peers and experts alike. I've done my own research throughout the years, as well as talking to many musicians and producers who are trying to make a living from their music.  I'm not giving any form of advice in this post. Rather, I'm sharing my opinion about why I think independent musicians and producers self-hosting their music is the best way going forward. Additionally, I want to talk about why I exclusively release my music for free, as this is integral to my creative identity and independence.  Commercializing Music As much as the musical landscape is constantly changing, I've learned that there are several steps fundamental to releasing music co...

I've had my Boss Katana 100w amp since 2016. The same year I got it, I also got my Make More Music sticker and put it prominently on my amp so it could inspire me to do just that. Releasing my debut synthpop album  Afterlove,  and continuing to work on new music, has awakened a burning question: Why didn't I make more music and release it sooner? The Reality of My Circumstances For starters, I have to acknowledge the reality of my life circumstances. I earned both my bachelor's and master's degrees, working all throughout my studies. Then I immediately transitioned into full time work, which unfortunately became more scarce as time went on. The COVID 19 pandemic happened. I had various tumultuous friendships and relationships. Along with precarious employment the rising cost of living, political turmoil, and housing crisis have so far prevented me from moving out to my own place. I take care of my aging parents and also have chronic health issues of my own. Taken togeth...

Music is integral to who I am, it's what I love to do, and it's the gift that keeps on giving. My songwriting and music production has always been about the love of music and it always will be. How I Got These Invaluable Skills I'm blessed to have grown up in a musical family. Both my parents adore music. They introduced me to the joy of vinyl and have supported my musical journey from the start. When I was eight years old, they signed me up for piano lessons and recitals. I started learning with a group, then progressed into classical training with solo lessons. I was enraptured by the endless sounds I could make, the combinations that seemed to magically express what I was feeling, and helped connect me to others.   I picked up the guitar when I was sixteen years old because my best friend at the time encouraged me. Her and I were really into punk rock, and naturally started writing songs together. She would let me borrow her dazzling electric guitar with a pearl white pi...