Hi Steemit!
I thought I'd share with you this cool experience I had in 2017. It literally changed my life, and hopefully it can inspire/motivate other artists.
Back in April 2017, I released a live video of myself experimenting with a new keyboard technique that I'd been developing.
I had figured out that with a specific MIDI controller (the Akai MPK Mini), I could play keys and drum on the pads simultaneously thanks to their proximity. I named the video Finger Twisters:
Response:
The video went pretty viral on Facebook and got a lot more attention that I expected. Shortly after, I was contacted by a software company named Polyverse Music and was asked if I'd be interested in demoing a program called Manipulator - an audio plugin that let's you harmonize and manipulate your vocals in realtime.
I agreed to check it out and was immediately inspired to write something (while further experimenting with my keyboard/drumming technique):
Manipulator Demo
Response:
In addition to sharing the demo on social media, I also posted it on Reddit. The video made it to the first page of the "videos" subreddit, and shortly after, I received a comment that I did not expect:
Apparently, the real T-Pain was interested in working with me. Even though I hadn't listened to a ton of Hiphop, I knew enough about the Grammy award-winning singer/rapper to understand that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
I immediately sent him a PM and we started chatting. He seemed very positive and enthusiastic at first, but unfortunately (probably due to his busy schedule) stopped responding after a while.
I knew that I had to do SOMETHING to get his attention again. So I took an excerpt from his fantastic NPR Tiny Desk concert and overdubbed it with my own live playing. I shared it on social media, posted on reddit and tweeted it to T-Pain. At this point I wasn't really expecting too much.
GLASYS Jams on T-Pain's "Up Down" (Tiny Desk)
Response:
What happened next completely caught me off guard. The video made it to the front page of Reddit, received over 500,000 views on YouTube within a few hours, received a TON of press and most importantly - a response from T-Pain:
Shortly after, I was contacted by T-Pain's manager and we set up some studio time together in LA! We spent two days in the studio together jamming and recording ideas. He's a great guy and it was an absolute blast!
I still don't know when any of the stuff we recorded will see the light of day since T-Pain just released a new album and is busy touring. But even without a released collaboration, I have gained SO MUCH from this amazing experience that I had to share it with you. My social media following has grown exponentially, I'm getting some really amazing gigs and things are looking great for 2018!
I guess the point of this post is to say that if you set your mind to something and believe in yourself, anything is possible - as long as you DON'T GIVE UP until you achieve that goal... however long it takes! I know it sounds cliché but I truly believe it.
Happy New Year everyone, and thank you for reading!
GLASYS
That is an amazing story and well well deserved, daaamn, that second video especially, the tiny desk? Pure gorgeousness! Very inspiring as well, needless to say.
Kudos man!
I see you going places
Thank you! :)
I remember this this on reddit. That was insane! I make music too but I am good enough to do all of it life, altought maybe one day I will practise doing something like that. Check out my soundcloud page and a street piano video I just posted on Steemit. --> https://steemit.com/music/@kain-niak/we-had-a-moment-jamming-with-street-pianist
Cool to see you on steemit. I will follow you. Hope you will post more cool stuff.
Thanks so much man! I appreciate the kind words. I enjoyed the street piano vid, thanks for sharing! :)
WOW you are so talented! Hold up I'm still listening :)
I'M DYYYYYING. Sooo good. You are going to go far with that talent, skill and attitude my friend.
Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙏
Kudos to you cause this is straight up amazing, and on top of that, you linked with T-Pain :O (Achievement Unlocked lmao) Keep doing your thing
Thank you so much! :)
WOW! thats awesome! I'd would like to have the opportunity to meet T PAIN, or what it's even better record with him.
Congrats!