UVOGIN

Expressing Emotions Through Sounds

When did you first get into music?

I was first introduced to music by my 2nd grade choir teacher Becky Ringer. We would sing things like Kumbaya and the National Anthem.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

To be honest, I don’t even really see it as a career. For me it is more along the lines of “a place holder for my missing sanity”. If I wasn’t always focused on the next track, or improving my abilities, then my mind would probably meander off into existential mumbo jumbo, and nobody wants that.

How has your music evolved since you first began creating music?

When I first started writing music, around my freshman year of high school, I could not play any instruments. A lot of my favorite artists that I looked up to at the time were primarily vocalists and lyricists and so for the longest time, I focused on world play and painting an image with words. Eventually, I lived near a coffee shop that happened to have a piano, so I would go play it every other day. There is a beauty in expressing emotions through sounds and not just words. Soon, I began to incorporate my own compositions into my performances. Nowadays, I still love to sing, but I prefer to make instrumentals over songs using words.

How did you come up with the name, Uvogin?

It’s from an Anime! Otaku Alert, smh. There is a show called Hunter X Hunter, and in the show there is an infamous berserk villain. A cold hearted member of the Phantom Troupe by the name of Uvogin. He was an enhancer, which means he could power up specific parts of his body to do ridiculous damage in battle. what he does with his fists, I feel like i do with my vocal chords. He also had a will of steel. He refused to give away the whereabouts of his fellow troupe members to his grave. He may be bad, but he’s badass. Like MF DOOM, sometimes you have to be the villain.

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. Anybody can get up on the stage and perform. But, if there is no passion behind it, where is the attraction? What makes me want to stay and listen?

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

One unique thing about me is the wide range of abilities in my eternally increasing repertoire. You

feel’n punk rock? I can do that, get the crowd moshing! or maybe some RnB? Yeah you can dim the lights and we can slow it down a little bit. I’m like a gun thats always loaded, just waiting to hop on the stage with you and pop off.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer-songwriter/ musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

The biggest challenge for me has been spending 40 hours of my week working somewhere completely unrelated to what I am passionate about. If I could wake up, stretch, and work with music everyday, that would be the dream. At least I can use whatever I don’t use for rent to help advance my music career.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Maybe there is a sacrifice of social ability in a sense. I spend hours on days honed into a particular track; getting all the parts created. I never text that girl to remind her that I’m thinking about her, so she always goes off and finds someone who will actually give her attention. And the irony is, I was probably writing a song about her, you know what I’m saying? Plus, mixing and mastering is like trying to solve a trigonometry equation. I am starting to get the hang of it.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Mac Miller said “internet rappers ain’t s*** when no computers work.” All my tracks are on google drive or my phone, so without those I wouldn’t even be able to perform. I also wouldn’t be able to discover some of the foreign artists from all over the world that I listen to.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I wish people’s primary intention was to express the inner self, as opposed to reaching a level of stardom.

What are the 6 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Watching Movies With The Sound Off- Mac Miller 2012 AM - Arctic Monkeys Mourn - Corbin Rockin’ the Cradle, Egypt 1978 (live) - Grateful Dead Uzu ni Naru ( ) - Kiniko Teikoku Viento Bueno - Rainer Scheurenbrand

Mac Miller put me on of my first raps ever with his track called, “Aquarium”. I like that album because I went away from being a crowd pleaser and developed a more whimsical, yet introspective style. Alex Turner is from Arctic Monkey, he inspired my singing voice, but I would also have to say Spooky Black or Corbin were my influences as well. The other 3 are just the vibe.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

Currently, I’ve got an album in the works. There are a few upbeat Hip Hop tracks here and there, but it will mainly be chiller low tempo tracks with uplifting messages.

What is the best advice you have received?

Be Patient.

What’s next for you?

“The World, Chico. And everything in it.” -Scarface

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music

All Platforms! search “Uvogin” on Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube, or anywhere you can imagine. I recommend my recent Beat tape, Sage Mode. Thank you for your support!