anodyne

Interview

About anodyne

I'm from New York, always have been, although I've moved way too many times already (at least like 15 times). I've been with Audiotool since I was real young, maybe 8, so I've been on here 9 years. As for my favourite style of music, I gotta say something with rock, maybe more alternative. As for my favourite pizza? Stuffed crust with 5 cheese, tomatoes, basil, pepper, onion, and some fried apple — it's amazing.

Describe the style of music you produce

Absolutely anything, with the exception of metal, country, and trap. I don't limit myself to a specific genre consciously, it would ruin my creative workflow. I just make whatever is on my mind, and then channel that into whatever genre or form of music it turns out to be, whether it's rock to ambient or to vocals or none. I just make music:)

What is your musical background and when did you start making music?

All my siblings are into art in some form or another, and my dad used to sing in a choir, so overall it's a very artsy family. I really got into guitar because of Lucas Astoria, and from there, I just fell in love with it. I started making music 9 years ago (kinda), but nothing serious until I made my Hurakan account (3 years ago).

How long have you been using Audiotool, and how did you discover it?

I started AT when I was 8, but it was never serious, not until I was maybe 13. I've always been into music, and always wanted to play instruments and sing, so I googled some free music sites and found Audiotool. A couple years later, boom goes that account, and I move on from music for a bit. Another couple years later and I'm like: "oh hey, what's this bookmark?", and thus, Hurakan is born.

What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?

The pulv. How else did you expect me to answer? It's just something I know how to use, exactly how I want to. I hear a synth in my head I want, I can make it on the pulv, like 80% of the time. My favourite effect: Helmholtz.

What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?

In studio, you can press tab with the synth area open and it'll give you a blue box with a zoomed out view of your draft. You move the box where you want it and release tab, and boom, you're there. Also works with moving devices. If you press 2 on your keyboard and select a bunch of devices, and then try to move them while pressing tab, you can move the whole block much faster. Neat little trick that saves me a bunch of time.

Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues?

Of course I've had writer's block! Sometimes I'll listen to some music to try to get inspiration. Other times I'll just go into the studio and make garbage on purpose, to spur my brain into realizing it's time to lock in. And sometimes I don't make music at all, I just let my brain recover from the burnout (which is what writer's block is, in my opinion). Sometimes the best course of action is inaction.

What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?

The community as a whole. But for specific artists, I gotta go with Lucas Astoria. Without him, I would have never picked up guitar again, and to be honest, I probably would have quit music. He was there at such an important turning point in my life. He helped light that fire back inside me, gave me the mental push and adrenaline I needed to keep going.

What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?

I love the openness of it. Everyone can communicate freely to help each other learn and lift themselves up. 99.99% of the time, Audiotool is great at communication and sharing, which gives us an edge over other DAWs.

Your message to the community:

Be patient. I've tried to learn this all my life, not even in just music, but for everything. I was always a chaotic kid; loud, obscene, and an unstoppable energy ball. While there's truly nothing wrong with that, it's important to learn to slow down and be patient with the world around you. Just remember: breathe.