+ Check out Soundfly’s brand new mentored online course, The Art of Hip-Hop Production, to learn the nuances of producing beats, arranging tracks, and creative sampling techniques in hip-hop’s various subgenres! Free preview here. Hip-hop…
On Voice Leading and Tresillo in Troye Sivan & Ariana Grande’s “Dance to This”
+ Producing and mixing music at home? Check out Soundfly’s brand new mentored online course, Songwriting For Producers, to take all those unfinished ideas and transform them into fully fleshed out, compelling songs! Free preview here.…
Breaking Down Beach House’s Stressed Out and Shoegazey New Single, “Dark Spring”
With their newly released album, 7, Baltimore dream pop outfit Beach House have reached new emotionally intoxicating heights, but with a sound that feels denser and sludgier than the clean, arpeggiated synths for which they’ve…
The Cleansing: “Dirty Computer” Ushers in a New Era of Janelle Monáe
In the era of Cardi B, Beyoncé, Lena Waithe, Laverne Cox, Tiffany Haddish, and many others, we bask in the glory of Black womxn. No longer are we afraid to show our…
Latest Articles
Shoutin’ Out: A Crash Course on Blues Shouting
A closer look at the tradition of “blues shouting” in the early 1930s and ’40s, which helped inspire the creation of rock ‘n’ roll out of jazz and gospel.
How to Overcome Performance Anxiety Before an Important Show
If you’re suffering from crippling performance anxiety when you set foot on the stage, here’s some advice for how to deal with those nerves and go rock!
Math Is a Musician’s Friend!
There are many ways musicians can get paid for their work, both before and after publishing has occurred. But you’ll need to do a bit of math.
Songwriting for Producers: 3 Ways to Introduce the Hook
Looking to beef up your chorus with extra anticipation and energy? Here are three simple ways to insert momentum into your song at the hook.
Our 10 Favorite Modern Hip-Hop Bass Lines
Bass is arguably the most important element of a hip-hop beat, so we collect 10 of our all-time favorite modern hip-hop bass lines.
Lessons in DIY Experimentation for the Sake of Listening Longevity
A concise meditation on growing up listening to DIY, lo-fi artists who experimented with their sound so that I could incorporate that ethos into my songs.
Boring Merch? Here’s How You Can Up Your Merch Game (With Examples!)
A few handy tips on getting the most out of your merch table — so that no fan needs to walk away disappointed and empty-handed.
Tips for Touring in the Winter (Hint: Don’t)
Here’s some helpful advice for those musicians brave enough to venture out on the hard, frozen road in the winter time.
How to Add a Shuffle Feel to Your Beats in Ableton Live
Here’s a quick and easy lesson culled from our mentored online course, Beat Making in Ableton Live, on how to get a shuffle feel in your quantized beat.
Common Approaches to Flipping Vinyl Samples
A deep dive into the history and art of flipping and sampling vinyl records to make new hip-hop beats, for amateur producers and crate-diggers!
