(Photo Credit - Daniela Salinas @danhasacamera)
We had the chance to interview emerging alt-artist Dead Emerson for an Artist Spotlight! Check out our interview for a closer glimpse behind his origins in music, writing process, and more!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"Oh man, I feel like there's never been a moment of my life when music hasn't been a part of it. Like maybe when I was 5 years old and I was really into rocks or something. But I didn't really start writing or seriously playing an instrument until I was 12. That was right around the time when the big recession hit, and things were just like... weird. I basically just spent all my time in my parents' basement playing guitar or bass."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"It's really different for every song. Lately, I've been getting better at writing a full song first, and then producing it out which saves a lot of time, but I generally start out with a beat that I've been working on. I make my beats mostly how my hip hop producer friends make beats (lol)-- start with a loop, pick some samples, and go from there. But that's changing."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"I've been lucky to be around some really talented and inspiring artists and musicians growing up. Most of the artists or bands that had a profound influence on me were like local bands or artists in the DMV when I was in high school that were a little bit older than me."
"But on a bigger scale... shoot I would say everyone from like Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler, Odd Future, etc. to Bombay Bicycle Club to like Woody Guthrie. Woody was the original punk rocker IMO."
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"LOL. Uhhhhh I've been using the same guitar since I was 12-- it's an Epiphone Dot that I bought for like $200 used at Guitar Center. It's my baby though. It barely keeps a tune going up the fret board so sometimes I have to tune my guitar incorrectly if I'm playing really high up on the neck."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"Don't have a live show...yet."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"My mom hates the name Dead Emerson. Sorry mom."
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"Yes, a lot of music planned for 2020. Stay tuned. But also listen to Marc Indigo. He's good."