Q&A / Clifford

What or who inspired you to start making music?

• Ever since I was 3 years old, my parents saw that I had the drive to play the drums. I had The Who's 'Kids Are Alright' DVD and was hooked on drums after watching Keith Moon go crazy on the kit. I used to watch that DVD religiously and would learn all of Keith's parts.

 

What is your creative process like when making music?

• It changes from time to time but recently I've been starting with drums. Once the beat feels nice and comfy, I then have a nice foundation for harmony. Once the chords run smoothly, I'll start singing some vocal melody ideas. If your melody is singable, then your listener will have more fun with your music. Then I'll track the melody with a keyboard/guitar voice then maybe have a horn double the melody and add some extra lines or solos. 

 

What inspires you the most?

• My friends and colleagues in the music community inspire me the most. When I see how hard they work, it pushes me to be the best I can be. Especially in a city like Austin where everyone has some involvement in the music community, I feel motivated all the time.

 

Where do you feel the most centered and happy?

• I feel the most centered and happy when I'm on stage in the middle of a show. Before producing, I was touring in bands for a couple years and still do to this day. I feel that on stage, I can truly be myself, especially when sharing that stage with talented musicians.

 

What is your favorite season and why?

• Spring. There's something about the atmosphere after a cold, dark winter that makes me feel whole. That transitional state between super cold nights and warm days is where I feel comfortable. One thing I'll never forget is the air in the morning during that time of year. I'm heavily weather dependent regarding my mood, winters hit me hard. Spring solves a lot for me after the cold, but I'm thankful to be able to experience all of the seasons where I'm from, and wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

 

​If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Why?

• I would love to live in Europe, preferably Italy due to its beautiful landscape and rich food history. Music is a lot like food, the way certain elements mix together, how you garnish these elements, and most of all timing. I find great inspiration from chefs because they are basically the musicians/beat makers of the food they cook. Would love to take cooking lessons out there if possible.

 

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?

• About 4 months ago, I quit smoking weed due to a number of issues it was causing my body after years of heavy use. Once I cut that out, I started to regain the control that I once had on the drums and my time was solid as a rock. I also became less introverted and was more present in my normal day-to-day living and had a much bigger drive to produce and create music.

 

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

• My music is very much a lofi beats production but its core is rooted in jazz. I tend to mix jazz harmony and melody with production elements of indie rock/pop. I went to school for jazz and mainly work with jazz musicians so those elements come out very naturally.