WOULF

Artist on a Mission

How long have you been in the music game and how did you get started in the first place?

I’ve been making music since 2013, but I’ve been around creators my whole life. My family has DJs, musical artist, dancers, and poets. So, I had it all in my blood ever since before I was born. I use to burn CDs on a broken screen everyday after school after recording in mixcraft on my moms laptop. She hated when I took her laptop. But I knew it would lead to days like this. My first microphone came from my Casio keyboard I got one year for Christmas and ever since then I use to have everybody from my school record at my house. I started recording at bigger studios in my city such as “Top Of The World Studios”, “Clockwork Studio”, “Bulkley House”, “Kultivation Studios”, and eventually finding my home studio with my dawg Antoine Christopher at “The Arcade”

What’s your stage name?

My stage name is WOULF. Stands for - Working On Uplifting Life Fully.

Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?

Ever since I could remember I was introduced to jazz music first. Boney James, Rick Braun, Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock. Growing up in a Jamaican influenced home I heard a lot of Capelton, and Sizzla growing up also.

Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?

Right now in my playlist I got SiR, 704 Chop, Rod Wave, Brent Faiyaz, Don Toliver, and that new Roddy Ricch. I would love to get a record with Don Toliver and SiR on the same record, Or Roddy Ricch, and Brent Faiyaz.

Have you suffered any ‘resistance’ or skepticism from within the industry and fellow artists, and if so how have you handled that?

I use to until I stopped letting that get into my head. They could never stop what’s been destined for me. I use to take advice from people...I stopped. I learned to boss up and listen to the ones who have my back and my best interest.

Do you consider video an important part in promoting and marketing your music? Where can we find your latest video?

Of course! Music videos bring the audio to life! It brings body to the audio. Shows what the artist wants the world to remember. My latest video for Light Show is out on YouTube and on my website at www.longlivewoulf.com.

https://youtu.be/08t9PNOm_cc

Studio recordings or performing live in front of an audience, which of these do you prefer most and why?

Performing live hands down. Having a live audience and being on stage is where I really shine. That’s my strong point and I love when it’s all eyes on me. I love performing a song and having the crowd interact and engage with me.

Tell us something about the beats and music production on your releases. Do you write and compose them or do you work with other writers and Producers?

The beats I use and chose for my songs and projects are different and blend with me and my style well. With the latest release Light Show I hooked up with my main producer Menaco for this one. We have a few records out and a whole archive of songs tucked off. I don’t use writers, but when I go to the studio me and Antoine Christopher my Engineer sometimes help channels my energy for the direction of the record. When me and Antoine work on records I get my hands into the production part as well, I’ll come up with melodies and apply to them to chords through the midi keyboard in either logic or FL studio.

On which of your songs do you think you delivered your personal best performance so far, from an emotional and technical point of view?

Coupe, because it’s a fan favorite. It’s a vibe, a bop, a slide, whatever you want to call it, it gets the people moving. That’s what I love to see. Movement let’s me know I got you emotionally invested, whether you jumping up and down or your swaying left and right, I got you locked in.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre overflowing with new faces and ideas?

I still have fun with my shows. I use to work in retail for a long time so in order to get a sale you have to build trust with your clientele. I translate that to my crowds big or small. I can be WOULF with no buzz and rock a crowd because of how invested I am with them or I can be the popping artist WOULF and lose that connection and have a really bad show. I stay invested with my people because I take em to the moon. I’m the pilot and they are my passengers, I gotta make sure they enjoy their flight and help them defy-GRAVITY.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business. Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Passion fasho. If I ain’t got passion, a love for what I do, then why the hell am I doing it in the first place. Having passion can and will lead me to my goal. Music saves my life and I could never abuse it.

Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?

The formula. Hearing the production and letting my feeling and my stories resonate through the microphone. So you could say the actual recording process.

Tell us something about your songwriting process. What usually comes first the lyrics or the beats?

This really depends...sometimes I have words that come to me before a beat because I have stuff I need to get off my chest. Other times I like to hear the production first then ice the record. I usually come up with hooks first, then the verses. Sometimes I’ll record 10 hooks and come back weeks later just to add the verses. I need some breathing time to get my thoughts straight for the records sometimes.

How involved are you in any or all of the recording, producing, mastering, and marketing processes of your music. Do you outsource any of these processes?

I like to get involved with the recording and producing part, but not to much mastering just because that really takes a certain training of the ear. There are artist I’ve talked to in the industry who will send a record to 3 different engineers just before it reaches the mastering engineer. I’ve also worked on beats with producers in a sort of production ring where one producer works on percussion, another melodies, and so on. So when it comes to the actual track I get all my records tracked out to get the best sound and mix possible. I take care of all my marketing and promo.

The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?

The best piece of advice I would say i have followed so far is to bet on yourself. You’re the investment and you’ll only go as far as you let yourself. Advice I wish I had took more of is to never doubt yourself and If you’ve got an idea...run with it.

At this point, as an independent artist, which is the one factor you desire most, and feel will undeniably benefit the your future (for example increased music distribution, better quality production, more media exposure, bigger live gigs etc…)?

Bigger Gigs. Arenas, Festivals, in-studios. Those would help push me to a whole new level. I’m strong in the live performance area more than anywhere else. I take people to the moon! Increased music distro is always a plus.

Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to your career, and indie music in general, or do you think it has only produced a mass of mediocre “copy-and-paste” artists, who flood the web, making it difficult for real talent to emerge?

I would say both honestly. It’s helped my career gain traction and helped me gain an audience quicker by allowing my music to have more exposure. Also putting me in front of the industry right at peoples finger tips. On the other hand it might allow for less originality from others. It’s easy to consume music through social media and easy to become microwavable too.

Could you tell us something about your latest music releases and where fans can find them?

I wanted to do something different this time. I’m proud of my city and where I come from. This is that hometown city vibe that can go for anybody’s hometown, not just subject to one city. I treat every city I go to like its mine, like I’m back in Cleveland. When it came to the visual, I wanted to highlight Cleveland for those who have never been here, I wanted to show that Cleveland is on the map and we have some heavy hitters out the city; I’m a heavy hitter. Although I’m proud of where I come from, it’s the trenches where I come from but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m broke now, but I’ll be rich soon. “Had a dream I made this song to get my family out the hood”; I said that line because I’m not the only one betting on me. I sat on this beat until I came up with the perfect words because I knew this song was it. I don’t have all of the jewelry and flashy sh*t right now, but my presence shines bright. That’s what Light Show is about’’. You can find Light Show on all streaming platforms and the visual is out on YouTube.

What do you think is the biggest barrier you have to face and overcome as an indie artist, in your quest to achieve your goals and wider spread success?

The biggest barrier for me has been finances. Being able to invest into your craft, as well as taking care of your own personal needs. Music videos, tours, merch, production, etc and I still would have to find ways to eat, buy clean draws, transportation etc. It’s rough but sometimes you have to take certain risks to see the reward.

What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?

Change what I stand for. As a man, I have morals that I wouldn’t switch up or change because I would let my fans and most importantly myself down. My fans grew with me and seen my beginnings. That’s like me turning my back on what we created together and I could never break the bond and trust we have.

www.aryelnicolepr.com