Playy

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Check out our new Exclusive Mix featuring Nashville based Producer & Songwriter, Patrick Baker

Tracklist James Bay - Let It Go (FlicFlac Remix) Mapa - Hero Diviners - Flowers (feat. Dom Robinson) Alex Schulz - Fire (feat. Meadowlark) Mandeh & Velvet - Clear Mind

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Featured Artist - Patrick Baker

PLAYY: It's amazing to have you as a featured artist in our blog. Thanks for taking the time to do the interview. Let’s jump right in.

Patrick Baker: Thanks for having me!

PLAYY: Can you give us the background of how you got into music & production? When did you realize that you wanted to pursue this seriously and what were the biggest challenges on the way?

Patrick Baker: I grew up in a musical family with my father and uncles all in bands so that it was something that was part of my life early on.  My uncles had home studios where I’d record and mess around and write songs.  So I knew early on that I wanted to make music.  Learning how to play guitar and write came first and it wasn’t until the later that I really got serious about learning the production side.  I’d say the biggest challenges are trying to balance the creative and business side of things,  learning when a track is really good enough, and establishing your own artistic voice.

PLAYY: You’ve really continued to rise in the music world working with some of the hottest emerging artists and DJ’s. Tell us a bit more about “This Love (Higher).” What gave you the inspiration behind that specific track and did it just grow organically or was there a strategy about using that track to reach a wider audience?

Patrick Baker: I have a special love of 90’s R&B and especially New Jack Swing, which Teddy Riley pretty much invented.  I really wanted to take parts of that sound and incorporate some more modern elements and sounds.  I was happy with how it turned out, but very surprised at the positive response it got.

PLAYY: What is your view on where the music business is today? Can you elaborate on some of the issues and/or opportunities that you see (from your perspective)?

Patrick Baker: I feel like we’re still in that awkward transition from downloads into streaming and it feels like the market hasn’t reached a critical mass yet in that respect.  I’m hoping over the next few years things will improve some because it feels like there is an imbalance right now.  

At the same time having the ability to produce a song in your bedroom and get it out to the world the same day via social media is a great thing.  Even though we still have superstar artists it feels to me like there’s a lot more dilution and fragmentation.  So I think artists have to be extra thoughtful about carving out their own niche and realize that with barriers to entry so low that it’s harder to get people’s attention.  

PLAYY: As an artist who has uploaded a lot of your original music on the Playy platform, what are your thoughts on fans being able to collaborate with your music by making videos to share across the internet?

Patrick Baker: I think it’s great and another example of the exciting aspects that new technology has brought into the picture.  I think this notion of interactive content will continue to take hold.  It can be so much more fun to create something new from art you enjoy rather than just passively experiencing it.

PLAYY: What can we expect from Patrick Baker in 2016? Tours? New Releases? Can you say with who?

Patrick Baker:  At moment I’m in the studio focused on writing new material.  I’m hoping to have a new single out soon and will definitely have some upcoming collaborations.  Also, hoping to get out on the road a bit as well!

Word Association

Analog =  overrated

Coachella = big

Mobile = phone

SoundCloud = feed

Nashville = song

Microphone = shure

Europe = adventure

SXSW = hype

Fashion = forward

Kanye = kim

2015 proved to be a strong year for the Nashville / DC based producer and vocalist, yielding a #1 Hype Machine collaboration with Viceroy and Giraffage reaching over 1 million plays, and a track on Lane 8’s New York Times premiered, debut album “Rise”. Among releases for Anjunadeep, Fool’s Gold, Dim Mak, Armada, Monstercat and Hed Kandi, he has racked up two top 10 singles on Beatport and Juno.  His 2014 Lane 8 collaboration, “The One,” was premiered by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1 and has received heavy rotation on Sirius XM radio.  

Since landing at number 8 on Billboard's Next Big Sound chart, Patrick has already garnered support from respected artists and DJ’s such as MNEK, Bondax, The Magician, Goldroom, Oliver, Zimmer and Louis La Roche.  His single “This Love (Higher)” was featured in Bondax’s Hype Machine Music Blog Zeitgeist 2013 mixtape.

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Check out our new Exclusive Mix series featuring one of LA's emerging electronic artists, Sikkie.

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CREATE A POST INSTRUCTIONS

Here is our short, step-by-step tutorial on how to make a Playy video:

Press the square [camera] button on the bottom tab bar, which is located in the middle. The “pick a track” screen will open.

To pick a song as the soundtrack to your video tap one of the album art covers. (NOTE: Make sure your ringer is turned on to activate your audio).

Once at the camera screen, hold the purple [record] button on the bottom of the screen to record a clip. You can record multiple clips, the total duration of which does not exceed 10 seconds.

Tap “next” when you are happy with the video you recorded. At the next screen, you can choose a filter (by tapping on it) or leave your video unfiltered. You can scrub to the right to see more filters.

When you tap “next” from the filter screen, you will arrive at caption/share screen. There you can write your video caption and choose where to share the video (by tapping on the desired social media icons).

Press “post” to post and share your video!

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SiKKiE INTERVIEW

PLAYY: It's amazing to have you as the first featured artist in our blog. Thanks for taking the time to do the interview. Let’s jump right in... In our pre-interview questions you mentioned that you moved to California to study, but decided not to continue with formal education and instead join the downtown LA scene. Can you tell us more about that realization and making the move from working 2 jobs to pay for college to pursuing your dreams?

SiKKiE: Yes, that’s correct. At the end of the day, you have to do what makes you happy. As millennials, it’s easier than ever to pursue your dreams so just get out there and get it! All the tools you need are right there waiting for you.

PLAYY: You mentioned that you felt like a guest in the scene and wanted to contribute. Tell us a little more about becoming a producer on your own. What is your message to people who would like to start producing (or any other act of creation), but for whatever reason find it challenging to do so?

SiKKiE: I’ve noticed the hardest part of becoming an artist is actually admitting to yourself that you, in fact, are one. Its a lesson in faking it until you make it. Immerse yourself in the culture, and see what happens.

PLAYY: You are super outgoing and your visual aesthetic is very rich/eccentric, your music on the other hand is quite minimal and “deep” (for lack of a better word).. Could you tell us more about your creative process, where does your dark and minimal sound come from? Are you a totally different guy when  you sit down and start producing?

SiKKiE: Im a goofy person and I like to joke around. I like to keep things positive and I’m generally a happy person. But as for my art, I embody a somber, deep, and dark vibe. Even though my music and art seems dark, and it is, that dark energy actually makes me happy. It all stems from being an emo kid in highschool I guess. My creative process is based off of my inspiration. If I’m not inspired, nothing gets created. So in order to be inspired, I surround myself with brilliant artists and I constantly travel to gain inspiration.

PLAYY: Beyond the obvious (live DJ gigs, streaming online, etc), in what context would you like people to experience your music, assuming anything is a possibility?

SiKKiE: My music is best enjoyed at 4am on the dance floor. I’ve received a few emails from fans saying that they’ve done some crazy things in the bedroom. Boom! That’s exactly what I want. That’s the biggest compliment ever for me.

PLAYY: You noted before that collaboration is super important to you (and you’ve been doing a ton). How do you feel about lending your music as the sound to which people express themselves via video?

SiKKiE: If my music can inspire a dark and sexy narrative. Then sure, by all means. Let’s make some videos.

SiKKiE, uses ethereal melodies and deep 808 bass to create a dynamic anthem in your brain. Whether you are reflecting on the meaning of your life while experiencing the greatness of nature or sharing special moments in the intimate setting of your home, SiKKiE’s music is here to guide you with loving intention. You can catch a SiKKiE set in Los Angeles, San Diego, or the Bay Area.