Brooklyn-based DJ and producer, Saint Velez has emerged out of the notoriously industrial New York scene, cutting his teeth in warehouses from Bushwick to Bedstuy. Having released a slew of singles and EPs in 2021, including his charting number, ‘Load of My Mind’ via Back In Black Recordings, and ‘Cigarette Cuts’ via T78’s Autektone Dark, the rising talent looks to reenter the release radar with his debut full-length LP, ‘Warehouse Poetry‘ via De-Konstrukt Records. A propulsive effort from start to finish, the 10-track album weaves a sinuous path through the New York underground, transporting listeners to a time zone somewhere between sunset and daybreak, scraping the depths of the night.
To celebrate the release of his ‘Warehouse Poetry’ LP via De-Konstrukt Records, Saint Velez invited EG into his studio for 5 creative tips every producer needs.
1. Ideas before structure
When you open up a new file, I think your first objective should be to get that idea out. The entire track will come together but start with that part, that’s the whole reason WHY you’re making the song. It could be the bridge or the drop, but definitely get that purpose out first. That way, the idea doesn’t go stale and misconstrued as you move forward with the track. No need to start every file with 4/4 kicks, you can build around it.
2. Use more than 1 DAW
This adds versatility to your development. Always have 2 in case you don’t like the workflow of one or want to try something new with the other. I mainly use Reason Studios but have Ableton and experiment with it on a day-to-day basis. It also helps with collaborations with other artists. Don’t put yourself in a DAW box.
3. Perfectionists are dumb
It’s very frustrating sometimes to get the exact song idea from your head down on paper. It’s like trying to draw someone’s face by memory. None of your music is exactly what you had in mind. You’d be lucky to even like it by the time you’re done with it. Even if you don’t like anything about the final draft of the song, you can remove parts and substitute elements within the track and have something better. The song ‘More Than The Last’ in Warehouse Poetry is an example of one of those songs that has gotten that treatment. Another note: you’re never going to finish a song. You can continue to add to it until you die. You don’t finish songs, you let them go.
4. Don’t force it
Relax, hang out. Turn on the TV. Check your phone. Don’t go into a new track just to say you want to make a new track. Come up with the idea first. Figure out what sounds you like and experiment. It may be garbage when you’re done, but no one has a perfect batting average. Make it feel like a cool hangout to make music. We’re not these scientists with insane work ethics, we’re bozos making music.
5. Exhaustion can help creatively
Some of our most creative projects spawn during the peak of exhaustion. In an ideal world, everyone should be fully rested and produce music when you’re all full of energy. The reality is that’s not the case, especially for producers who will stay up late hours trying out new ideas or messing around with a new DAW. Some of the best works I’ve had was when the sun was coming up or not getting more than 4 hours of sleep. This is something I would recommend only a few times a month since sleeping is essential. Don’t mess with sleep deprivation though. Stay up one day, get an idea out, and finish it after a nap or something.
Saint Velez’s ‘Warehouse Poetry’ EP is out now via De-Konstrukt RecordS. Purchase your copy here.
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