Interview With VanillaStylez IG @vanillastylez

1 – Let’s rewind to the genesis. Was there a specific moment, a song, an artist, or maybe even a feeling that sparked your journey into music?” (This is more evocative and invites a story.)

I started listening to Eminem & 50 Cent with 8 years, this was my first experience with Hiphop. Then I listened to some german rap music (Sido) at the age of 10 before I completely switched to rock music and listened to bands like Rage against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Tool and stuff like that. At that time I started playing bass guitar in couple bands around my area. This was about the age 14 – 21.After the bands broke up I started recording my own stuff, started listening to trap music and turned myself in producing beats. Nowadays I get my influences from many different genres from rock, to hiphop, to techno music.

2 – Who are your biggest musical influences?

Former Influences: Rage against the Machine, Korn, Limp Bizkit today’s Influences: 808Southside, Drake, Asap Ferg

3 – Beyond the usual suspects, who are some of the lesser-known or perhaps unexpected musical figures who have truly shaped your sound and approach?

The fact that I played bass guitar for a long time in rock bands before I started producing makes my whole producing journey looking different from the classic beat maker. In the first years I recorded a lot of my bass lines and tried to shape kind of a band sound of my own. Later in the journey I got more into Hiphop & trap beats. Nowadays I almost try to combine these to aspects of my production and create a kinda crossover sound.

4 – our stage name is [VanillaStylez] – it’s intriguing! What’s the story behind it? Is there a hidden meaning, a personal connection, or a funny anecdote there?

I played soccer back in the days and people there called me Vanilla Thunder because of my running skills. I Combined that with my music as an own style.

5 – “If you were to paint a sonic picture of your music, what colors, textures, and emotions would be on that canvas? How would you describe your unique musical style in a way that goes beyond genre labels?

Hard, deep, intense, hopeful, grateful Combination of hard powerful beats based on my early new metal influences and on the other hand soulful trap & pop vibes that inspire.

6 – Take us into your creative sanctuary. What does your writing and recording process feel like? Is it a solitary journey, a collaborative explosion, or something in between? Walk us through the emotions and energy involved?

I am a music producer and I work with different artist from different countries. In Germany I work with artists from beginning to the finished song. When It comes to US artists, it’s like I send over some beat ideas, they write on it, record it and send it back. I recheck and a little of my sauce on it and that’s it.

7 – Music has the power to move and inspire. What conversations do you hope to spark with your music? What core message or feeling do you want listeners to walk away with?

I want to give power, confidence, strength, hope & sometimes just a good time, a good feeling.

8 – Let’s dive into your latest project [Talk is Cheap I VanillaStylez x Mist29]. What was the driving force behind this creation? What themes did you explore, and what makes this project stand out from your previous work?

I made the beat and and immediately knew it was a banger. Hard bouncy Trap drums with a thrilling melody, perfect to hit the club.I sent it to Mist29, he recorded on it and sent it back. Simple as that. We made it a song for the club, to vibe to it and to get a feeling of confidence & powerful.

9 – The creative journey isn’t always smooth. What’s the biggest hurdle you face when bringing your musical visions to life, and how do you navigate those challenges?

the distance between most of the the artist work with because I’m located in Germany. But we always find a way to make it work.

10 – Criticism is part of the game. How do you personally process feedback, both positive and negative? Is it fuel, a filter, or something you try to tune out entirely?

I try not to take it personally, music especially isn’t for everyone the same. Someone may love that one song while some else don’t. It’s just about putting out that feeling or vibe of a song and it will reach the person who feels it.

11 – Every artist faces roadblocks on their path. Can you share a pivotal moment where you faced a significant obstacle in your musical journey, and what did you learn from overcoming it?

My Roadblock was that I was studying, working and making beats at the same time. During Lock Down I had enough time to focus on music and made it start working out business wise. When lockdown was over I had to work a lot again to finance my studies, which I thought about quitting but I was too close from finishing. The workload really overwhelmed me and this also affected my musical journey which I had to pause for a while in order to get things done. But I made a plan, made 1 step after another, and finally it worked out.

12 – Let’s dream big for a moment. If you could collaborate with any artist, living or not, who would be at the top of your list and why? What kind of magic do you think you could create together?

Rage against the Machine. We would create an ultra-hard Crossover Sound with the significant sound of the band crossed with some hard modern trap elements.

13 – Creative blocks are a universal struggle. Can you recall a time when you hit a wall creatively, and what unconventional or surprising methods did you use to break through and reignite your inspiration?

There was a time where I was trying to make a certain amount of beats a day. That went well for a while, but then I kinda got almost burned out and there were no more ideas coming in. I put such pressure on me that it totally controlled my mood and my day. So I decided to take a step back, did something completely different to music like sport, going out, just living life. After a couple weeks I felt like it’s time again and the ideas were coming again. Sometimes you also just need to live life and make new experiences in order to create something great.

14 – Looking back on your journey so far, what moment or achievement makes you feel the most proud and fulfilled as a musician? What resonated deeply with you?

Probably my first song “Flicking me” with Artist “ZuluGod” which came out couple years ago. This feeling of the first song, never felt that again.

15 – Every place has its own rhythm. How has your hometown and community shaped your sound, your stories, and your perspective as an artist? Are there specific sounds or experiences that are woven into your music?

The Sound of my hood was a band sound. We listened to rock music a lot, which put me in learning bass guitar and playing in Bands. Later when we were old enough on going out and partying we listened a lot to German hiphop & rap music.

6 – If you could go back and whisper some words of wisdom to your younger, aspiring artist self, what would you say? What’s the most crucial piece of advice you’d offer to those just starting out?

Don’t take this shit too serious. Trust the process. Don’t rush yourself. Control your ego, control everything.

17 – When you step away from the studio and the stage, what recharges your creative batteries? What passions or hobbies do you indulge in to find balance and inspiration outside of music?

I like working out in the gym or partying with my friends.

18 – The music industry is a complex landscape. What aspects of it do you truly appreciate and find rewarding, and conversely, what are some of the frustrations or challenges you’ve encountered?

I appreciate that the industry now is open for everyone who is willing to put the work in.
Conversely there is a lot of music making it to the top (especially in Germany) which I personally think is trash & like fast food songs, but this is just my personal opinion.

19 – Your fans are the heartbeat of your musical journey. How do you cultivate that connection and create a community around your music? What does that relationship mean to you?

As a producer you’re kind in the background, but as I started releasing my own songs with artists, I started to connecting a lot on social media and interacting with my listeners. I always try to tell a little story about my musical work and keep the people interested in new stuff.

20 – Take us back to a performance that’s etched in your memory. What made it so unforgettable? Was it the energy of the crowd, a personal breakthrough, or something unexpected that happened on stage?

As a producer I don’t have live performances. Back in the days I had some great concerts with my band. These were in my hood where all my friends, neighbours came over, it was just like a big block party.

21 – Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon for you? What are your aspirations, your dreams, and what exciting projects can fans anticipate in the near future?

I am working on my own brand as an Artist. Before that I was just making beats, but now I try to constantly release new music and work with as many artists as possible. A dream project is a producer album with all the artists I worked with.

22 – Stepping onto the stage is a unique experience. What’s the biggest challenge you navigate as a performer, and how do you overcome it to deliver a powerful show?

Keep complete focus 1 hour before the show and eliminate all distractions. Get in a clear state of mind.

23 – In your opinion, what’s the most indispensable quality for an artist striving for success in today’s music world? Is it resilience, creativity, authenticity, or something else entirely?

Just keep it going. Persistence is key to everything.

24 – The music industry can be demanding. What keeps your fire burning? How do you stay motivated and laser-focused on your goals, especially when faced with challenges?

Eliminate distractions, reduce social media to a minimum and do the music you love, not the music that thinks works out best.

25 – Artists often reflect and shape society. What do you believe is the role of an artist in the world today? Do you see yourself as a storyteller, a commentator, a healer, or something else entirely?

To put out his or perspective of life. Everyone’s is different and maybe someone can relate with your view on the world and it helps the person re calibrate.

26 – Touring is a whirlwind experience. What are the highs and lows of life on the road for you? What do you love most about touring, and what aspects do you find the most challenging?

You have no privacy on tour and are always around a lot of people. For me personally I need time & space for myself, so I always have to find some place where I can be in total peace.

27 – For fans who want to stay connected and follow your journey, where can they find you online and keep up with your latest news and music?

https://www.vanillamusic.co
https://www.instagram.com/vanillastylez

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