Audiotool

Interview

My names Ethan, I'm 20 and based out of Richmond VA.

About Ethan Kimrey aka po9t: My names Ethan, I'm 20 and based out of Richmond VA. I first found audiotool at my Dad's Military graduation ceremony, where one of his co-workers introduced me to the DAW. Over the years of making music I've switched out my name a few times starting with "anotherevolution" then "Capital K" then "poet" and now it's "po9t". I've always been a handful for my parents, even getting kicked out of high school and sent to an alternative school my Junior year.
Describe the style of music you produce: I make primarily Hip-hop, trap, lofi, and indie/acoustic music and use my voice to carry blends of emo influence to the fold.
What is your musical background and when did you start making music?: I first fell in love with music when my parents gave me an iPod on my 12th birthday and I quickly grew to idolize some of my favorite artists and screamed their lyrics at the top of my lungs. In high school I became hyper focused on rap and took from influences such as Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and later indulged into more pop centered artists I grew to love on the radio. I won a talent show in my senior year for my song "Overthinking" and after graduation immediately went to work learning and processing my most heartfelt music.
What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?: I would say the Heisenberg is my favorite device just due to its vast variety and easy use. From bit crushed saw chords, to booming 808s, to ambient bell plucks I feel I can make pretty much any sound I want with this device. If we're talking favorite effect though I would have to say the bit crusher stomp box just makes everything better:)
What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?: I've learned over time to distinctly pan and meticulously separate my drums to help better EQ them and stereo shape them to my needs during the duration of different drafts. Using the Kobolt makes everything better and that's just a fact.
Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues?: YES I'VE HAD WRITER'S BLOCK! IT'S TERRIBLE! My best advice is to go outside and use different mediums of art to channel your creative energy. I personally love visual arts like photography, drawing, and painting. Music can wear you out when you feel like you're not into it, and sometimes you just need to let go and take a break. If you're still having trouble, I'd suggest writing from the perspective of someone else for a change, or try to capsulate an image or a story in your writing.
What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?: The Audiotool Discord. Meeting people like Roy, Vulkron, joe, and others helped expand my horizons and try some things I never would have thought of otherwise.
What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?: I love how it's a community integrated into a DAW, and how people can socialize and interact with an interface on a personal level. I've met some truly amazing artists and some long time friends due to this and I will forever thank audiotool for that. I would say continue to make the DAW free. One of the biggest selling points to me learning production was that I didn't have to shell out over $200 on a DAW. It's completely free and accessible to anyone who has internet.
Your message to the community:: You're not alone. This world is crazy and full of people and at times it can seem overwhelming and feel like everything is crashing around you, but it's all going to be okay. There are others that feel just like you, and in the grand scheme of things, if you keep doing what you love for the rest of your life, you'll be happy.

“I love how it's a community integrated into a DAW, and how people can socialize and interact with an interface on a personal level. I've met some truly amazing artists and some long time friends due to this and I will forever thank audiotool for that.”
— po9t