The Next Generation Artist: GengarCade

InterviewAllHip Hop ArtistProducer
Written By Hannah Osborne

Q: In your biography on Instagram, what do you mean by, “ A modern day poet in the form of subtweets”?

A: I just came up with that line and thought it fit the whole “next generation artist” mantra. I always go back and forth and fight with myself about “what is art?” Are memes art? Are tweets art? I know it sounds funny because...well it kind of is, but I have tweets and memes that stuck with me more than some songs do. Might just be the alt lit crowd I spiral into sometimes, but a really solid one liner subtweet is art to me.

Q: What is your favorite artist tools to use?

A: A laptop is by far the greatest. I think we got to a point where everyone has a computer or phone but it still blows my mind that the internet exists and everyone overlooks the power you have in your hand. Tutorials, finding inspiration, getting new sounds, reaching out to people, consuming and putting out art, it’s never been easier to do any of those things the instant you want to.

As far as specifics, I have really found a home using AbletonLive. I learned almost every other DAW first because Ableton was honestly intimidating but once I finally got into it, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to another DAW. It just feels like Ableton was designed around the way my mind works.

Q: What do you like the most about creating your own music?

A: I have had this conversation with just about every artist I work with, but after everything is done and you play back the final track and think to yourself, “If I would have not existed today, this song would not exist.” It is a little existential, but it is comforting to know I did something that I think is good and that good thing would not be here if I was not.

Q:How did you learn what tools to use and how to use them when making beats?

A: The first introduction to making electronic music was a friend of mine in high school who was a DJ. He made music himself and coming from the band world, it was so interesting to me how you could do so much with so little. He gave me Reason, the DAW he used, and I started making Drum n Bass and techno type stuff. When I got out of high school, I got really good with a camera and started shooting music videos for local artists. Just because so much of my day to day through that was hanging around rappers, whether it be sitting in on recording sessions, going to shows, or just chilling, I eventually decided to start making beats myself.

Q: If you could work with any artist, that is alive, who would it be and why?

A: There are so many artists I want to work with but I think if I had to choose 1. it would be Frank Ocean. I think he managed to create this strange blend of mind numbingly simple songs on the surface, that are infinitely complex under the hood that I still have yet to see any other artist really get a true grasp on. In my opinion, possibly the greatest songwriter to ever live. Kanye and Pharrell are super close runner ups though.

I have to give a part 2 to this question because like I said previously, I started in the band world and moved through the EDM spectrum landing on more rap based genres, but I’d really love to do some strange crossovers, like if I could sit in the studio with Tosin Abasi and Mr. Bill, or if I could do a performance with Corey Henry and Beardyman, or if I could do an album with ScaryPoolParty and Earl Sweatshirt, there’s just so many people not only that I would love to work with, but rather be the mediator to pull those 2 worlds together.

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Q: Is there a way where people could purchase beats from you?

A: Short answer: Yes. I have 2 beat tapes for sale on my bandcamp. I have also done a very very limited amount of exclusive beats just from people DMing me and communicating that way.

Long answer: As a producer, I feel like I am shooting myself in the foot by saying this, but I do not really want to sell my beats the standard way. Being around so many artists for my main career and seeing the things they struggle with, I feel like there is an alternative solution that is both advantageous for artist and producer alike that we have not tapped into yet. I want to eventually make producing a full time thing but I don’t want artists going broke buying my beats just to put a project out.

There’s a solution, I don’t know exactly what yet, but I’m seeking it out and trying different things.

Also a little side note: my first beat tape I put out on Bandcamp, I put out for free but asked for a donation if you could spare it. The 2nd beat tape I charged $25 for a lease to every single beat on it.

I made 10 times the amount of money on donations than I did by selling. If you are genuine, people want to help you. It just reaffirms my belief that there is a better way than selling beats.

Q: What instruments do you play? How did you learn how to play them?

A: My dad got me an electric guitar when I was thirteen. A friend of mine taught me how to read tabs and I would go to the school library every day and print off a new song for me to learn when I got home. I picked up bass aka big guitar the year after. I bought a midi keyboard when I got Reason, maybe my junior year in high school. I can keep a beat on a drum kit but nothing fancy. Everything is self taught. Just messing around, watching a TON of tutorials and asking my musician friends any time I needed help.

Q: What are three things on your bucket list?

A: So I daydream a lot but when I do, it is in a really exquisite detail. I can actually just tell you my day dream of the later years in my life. I want to live in Tokyo, as a fashion photographer. In the morning I wake up, to go on a walk where I take a photo of a new cherry blossom tree every day. I head to a photo studio where I do my work for the day, hang out with some friends, and then head home when it gets dark. My apartment is above a sushi restaurant where I have to walk through the kitchen to get there, where I get yelled at by the chef for being late on rent but then he always gives me a meal before I head upstairs. My apartment is a 1 bedroom, super minimalist design, a bed in the living room with a TV on the wall. The only other room is a small studio space where I make really strange music and a new song once a day. No one really listens but the people that do really enjoy them.

I have other goals before I get there but if I could eventually get to that point in life, I think I will be content with the world.

Q: Where do you do most of your work? Is this the place you would prefer to work at?

A: Mostly at my home studio. It is easy access so the convenience is obviously there. I used to very consistently go to other studios and setup but have not done it as much since I moved from Pittsburgh. I would definitely prefer setting up in a more professional setting but for the last three years, I have always been pretty far away from anyone I know that opens their studio to me.

Q: How has your music evolved?

A: I used to make music primarily for other artists. I would engineer, produce and help them write and it was not until this year that I made a New Year’s resolution to really try focusing on my music. I’ve dabbled with doing my own music before but nothing too serious. Because of that, I have, without a doubt, grown more this year as an artist and even checking back to the songs I was making in January, it just seems like I am leaps and bounds from where I was. I quickly found success on Instagram which just blew my mind because I think the reason I waited so long to even try is that I was always lacking confidence as a solo artist. I have always enjoyed being the background guy that makes things happen for other people but having to put myself out there and say “hey this is me” and getting an overwhelmingly positive response is humbling beyond belief and without a doubt was a huge motivator in continuing the journey.

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Hannah Osborne
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