SWSHR is a pianist from Seattle fluent in multi-genre production, with recent credits including Curren$y, Carnage, $tupid Young, Jay Park and RJae. He also tours with pop artist Rence opening for acts like Ric Wilson, Ryan Caraveo and Christian French, and playing at festivals such as Lollapalooza.
Q: How did you get your producer name?
A: I used to do a lot of graff, but primarily was into making stickers. SWSHR was one of the first ways I signed my artwork, so it’s a fairly organic creation and natural that it’s become the way I still sign my work.
Q: What was your first record placement?
A: My first placement dropped when I was still in college and had just really tapped into the loop scene and locked in with a few people over the internet to make it happen. Particularly, my first placement was with producer Hermes, on a $tupid Young and Jay Park track. I sent him - Hermes - all the melodic elements and he laid the drums and shipped it out. That first placement really brought the career into perspective, and we just kept working.
Q: What is the biggest lesson you learned while working in the music industry?
A: Keep going. Getting bogged down in your mistakes or missteps doesn’t help anything or change anyone’s opinion. It’s how we turn around after our loss or stay after our missed chance that creates integrity and respect, because a lot of people give up.
Q: Where are you from, and how did it mold you into the person you are today ?
A: I’m from Seattle, and I’ve been living out in LA for about the last year now. I always say people will make or break it wherever you go, in that your experience can be molded or deconstructed depending on who and what’s going on. In Seattle I was molded by my peers; most of my friends arent necessarily people who make music or produce, but make something with their brain in some way. Im friends with carpenters, construction workers, painters and embroidery artists, and every damn one of them is progressing too. It makes me so proud but - not for my city - for my people.
Q: Who is your favorite artist to work with?
A: I’m a fan of artists who take things instinctively. I enjoy producing a vocalist as much as the beat, so people that can create an emotional or physical snapshot in a short time work really well with my process. I love working with artists who can be melodically variable, tonally authentic, and financially respect everybody putting the record together.
Q: What DAW do you use, and what is your favorite plug-in?
A: I use Logic - a little bit of Ableton here and there for live shows I play keys for - but I really don’t have a single plug-in. I guess the stock compressor???
Q: What is your favorite record placement and why?
A: A favorite placement of mine would have to be the Curren$y project, where I did the melody and keys for "Green Box" with Saint Luca and Kino Beats. I've been tapped in with Luca for a while, and this was our first placement together. Since a young boy, I've heard Spitta put his spin on a lot, but hearing those "Na Na Na" adlibs over my shit had me feeling another way entirely! Shoutout Luca and Kino for the opportunity for real.
Q: What are somethings producers don't know that they should know?
A: They're gonna hate me, but I gotta say music theory lol
Q: What makes you a hot producer?
A: There are better producers, and Certainly better piano players. What makes me stand out is my ear. I’ve played piano for close to 20 years now - I’m 23 - and I’ve developed great relative pitch and a knowledge of applicable music theory that most heads today won’t take the time to learn. All of my beats sound different because I’ve studied the foundation, fabricated my own set of rules through it, and doubled down.
SWSHR's Social Media
Instagram
Twitter