We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaric Mychal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaric, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve known since I was young that I wanted to do something creative. As a kid, I used to draw sneakers and clothes with my own designs. As a teenager, I used to beat on the lunch tables with pens/pencils and rap with friends. I used to have notebooks full of raps. I’d always and be drawing or writing during class, with absolutely no interest in what was being taught. I don’t think I fully understood then that I just wanted to create and all those things were outlets. I can say now that all that lead me to pursuing a career as a music producer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got my start with a cheap beginner’s keyboard, a mp3 player with a built-in microphone, computer speakers and a 80s drum machine. It was a real Frankenstein set up, but I learned a lot about sequencing and arranging on that gear. After I graduated high school I enrolled at the local community college where I studied audio engineering and music business. The college had a midi lab that was open most of the day and this is where I would make beats before I got my own equipment. During this time, I saved up enough money to buy a MacBook, recording software and a few pieces of professional equipment and started making beats in my room. I would spend hours making music and uploading it all on Myspace & Soundcloud. From there I started making beat tapes and collaborating with different artists. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with many independent artists, work in independent film as well as some work in radio.

Two things that I’ve learned along the way are to bet on yourself, and that feedback is more helpful than opinions. It’s great to work with other people and it’s crucial to be successful in music; but not everyone will see things your way, so you must be willing to see your vision through, even if you have to do it alone. When it comes to feedback, if it isn’t constructive I tune it out immediately.

Something that I think helps me stand out is that I release instrumental albums. I’m not the only one, but it isn’t as common as it used to be. I do like to work with rappers/singers but I don’t like for the release of my music to be contingent on them. There are people out there that enjoy listening to beat tapes too!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m big on record stores so I would definitely take them to Josey Records & Spinster Records. I’m also a big sneaker fan so we’d have to go to Prized Kicks & the Laboratory. Madness Comics would definitely be on the itinerary as well, it’s a cool place to pick up some collectibles. As far as food goes, there’s a lot of good options in the metroplex. Serious Pizza, Fred’s Downtown Philly, 12 Cuts, Mr. Cajuns, Taco Lingo & L&L Hawaiian BBQ are a few food spots we’d have to hit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d have to give my family the shout outs. My dad gave me my first drum machine and while it was a bit outdated when I got it, it got me started in the right direction. Before my mom passed, she would bring me stacks of records to sample and different electronics for me to circuit bend, when I was into that. She always supported my music and was part of the reason I went to college for it. She never complained about me playing my beats loudly at random hours either. My wife was the one who found out that our community college had an audio engineering program and helped me get enrolled. I learned a lot of things in the audio program that have aided me in my journey. Today she still encourages me to take certain risks and to get out be social. My siblings have always been a good sounding board for me, especially early on. I would always play my music for them prior to releasing anything. This was always a big help. They had to hear a lot of bad music, so shout out to them too.

Website: https://aaricmychal.com

Instagram: @aaricmychal

Youtube: https://youtube.com/aaricmychal

Image Credits
Brittany Brown @b3gallerson

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