Artist, producer, DJ and songwriter, DR, has taken the time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for HypnoticAsia.
DR is known for his numerous tracks in Asia such as, U-KISS’s “Someday,” “My Love My Kiss My Heart,” “Walkin’,” “Shake It Up,” and “No Other” by Super Junior, SHINee’s “Always Love,” Lee Hyori’s “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Nothing Last’s Forever,” by girl group, Girls Day. His impressive list doesn’t stop there, his most recent project includes EXO’s “Peter Pan” which was recently released on the group 1st full length album “XOXO(Kiss&Hug).”
The producer has also worked on songs for T Pain, Soulja Boy, Tynisha Keli, Archie Bang, DPryde and The Heatmakerz.
As part of the duo C2, DR works alongside 12Keyz and together they have written and scored for well-known television shows including: Oprah Winfrey, American Idol, 90210, The Voice and more.
Now that you know a little about his background, get to know DR a little better with his exclusive interview with HypnoticAsia.com below.
HYPNOTICASIA: Please introduce yourself to our readers at HypnoticAsia.
DR: Hi guys! This is DR. I’m a producer/songwriter/dj/artist based out of New York working with some of the biggest artists and producers from the US and Asia. Pleased to meetcha đ
DR: Hi guys! This is DR. I’m a producer/songwriter/dj/artist based out of New York working with some of the biggest artists and producers from the US and Asia. Pleased to meetcha đ
HYPNOTICASIA: Who or what inspired you to become a producer, songwriter, and DJ? How did you get started in the music industry?
DR: I’ve been interested in music pretty much ever since I was born. My first exposure in professional music came from my father who was also a guitar player and a singer. He would take me to band rehearsals, take me to play drums in his bands, or sometimes keyboards/piano in church choirs, festivals, weddings and things like that. That sparked my interest in music altogether and there was no looking back from then on. I feel like producing and songwriting came easy to me not because I studied it, but because my father had exposed me to all those rehearsals and shows where I could see how a song was put together. What the bass player did, what the drummer did, how the background vocals went, how the guitar solo was played, harmonies, all those things I observed without realizing I was digesting how a hit was created. I was lucky and blessed!
HYPNOTICASIA: Is all your music written and produced at Diamond District Studios?
DR: A lot of music has been created at Diamond District Studios in New York city, but not everything I’ve written or produced has been created there. To me, NYC has a pulse and rhythm to it like no other city, with so much energy and creativity and such an amazing roster of killer producers, writers and artists. Since Diamond District Studios is literally right in the heart of New York, right on Broadway I think it’s a perfect place to write and produce. But sometimes I’ll create my ideas right at home, or at my hotel, or bedroom, it doesn’t matter. A great song doesn’t have to be born in a studio.
HYPNOTICASIA:Â What is your daily schedule like?
DR: It varies a lot depending on what kinds of projects I’m working on at the time. My day could be filled with just doing vocals all day, or sometimes it’s just rehearsing. Some days it’s all about producing, mixing or laying down instrumental ideas. Some days it’s not about creating music at all and it’s all about meetings with Record Companies, labels, artists or writers and other producers. I do have a pretty strict regimen when it comes to rest, healthy eating and working out. Try to keep that work-life balance you know?
HYPNOTICASIA:Â Whatâs the process like to fully produce and write a hit song?
DR: For me, it can happen in a few different ways. Usually, I hear the full song already in my head before I even lay down one note. I mean I hear everything; the drums, the chord progressions, the melodies, the harmonies.. everything! It’s like the song is just writing itself and I just happen to be the one that it chooses to come through. There are also other ways. Sometimes I hear certain melodies or ideas and record those and then give them to 12keyz or the Heatmakerz, or Ryan Jhun, or another writer or producer to mess with it and give it back to me. Then there are also times someone will just give me a brand new music idea and I’ll work with it from there.
HYPNOTICASIA: What makes your music unique?
DR: Because of such a diverse amount of music that I’ve really studied and picked apart over the years I have somewhat trained myself to be able to produce in any genre for any purpose. I think what makes my music unique is that I’ve found a way to create a hybrid of all genres that just works for the project that I’m working on at any particular time. I also have to wear a producer’s hat, dj’s hat, songwriter’s hat or artist’s hat, or sometimes all of them combined. That in itself is something unique that I don’t believe many successful musician’s have accomplished. I don’t believe anyone can “type-cast” me as any “kind” of producer, writer or artist.
HYPNOTICASIA: Whatâs the difference of producing music for artists like T Pain and Soulja Boy in the US versus working with artists like Super Junior or Lee Hyori in Asia?
DR: They are actually more similar than different. The same factors that go into writing or producing for a major US artist apply to a major K-pop or J-pop artist as well. You still need the hot songs, edgy production, and memorable hooks and melodies that their listeners expect and that will keep you wanting to play the song again. The only difference between the two is the way I would produce for either one. The genres are different, so the way I treat the songs would be different. It’s like being asked to create different paintings, except some paintings are for your children’s bedroom and some paintings are for your office. The canvas, colors and media is the same, but you paint depending on where you’re going to display it.
HYPNOTICASIA:Â Youâve produced songs for many artists in Asia, including Super Junior, EXO, SHINee, Girls Day, U-KISS and even Lee Hyori, where does the inspiration to write these songs come from?
DR:It’s different every time. Usually, I’ll listen to what an artist has already done to determine where they can go and what I could produce or write for them. Sometimes I hear music from a completely different artist that I could hear another artist doing, except in their own way. Sometimes I just write what I feel and when the song is done, that’s when I think about which artist I could give it to.
HYPNOTICASIA: Recently, youâve gotten a big response from EXOâs fan base for the song âPeter Panâ off their 1st album âXOXO(KISS & HUG),â how do you feel about the success of the new song?
DR: Wow, I am so excited about it. I knew EXO would do well in general but I didn’t know how well they would do with this album until it dropped. I’m very proud of the work they put into the project, the vocal performances, the whole team at SM Entertainment, Ryan Jhun, Marcan Entertainment, 12keyz and everyone else involved. I’m also humbled by all the love and support all the EXO fans showed me after the release. I think it’s important that the fans also realize who is behind some of their favorite groups and songs. When I can connect with the fans it helps me understand what kinds of music they love and how I can deliver even more of it.
HYPNOTICASIA: What was it like hearing 12 member boy group, EXO sing your song in both Chinese and Korean?
DR: I was floored. I wrote the song in English and with the help of Ryan, had it translated into Korean and Chinese. I am always amazed how something I wrote in English can translate so well into other languages and still connect. It reminds me that music is truly the universal language.
HYPNOTICASIA: With 12Keyz, you became the duo C2, how did you two meet and why did you decide to form a team?
DR: I’ve known 12keyz for a long time. We met in high school in Toronto, Canada and began working on music together ever since. Since we have such a great musical history together we just understand each other when it comes to the music. We do things differently musically but we understand each others input, creativity and participation from every aspect of production and songwriting. I can’t fully describe how our roles change and interact constantly from song to song because that changes all the time. It’s quite simply magic!
HYPNOTICASIA: Alongside 12Keyz, youâve written and scored for TV shows like âOprah Winfreyâ, âAmerican Idolâ, âThe Voiceâ, â90210â and more, what was your reaction like hearing youâd be working with nationally aired television shows?
DR: Pure excitement. Especially when your music is being aired on such huge TV shows. When I first heard my songs on some of these shows I just giggled to myself and thought “wow”. It’s totally different writing for TV shows compared to artists and record labels. The thought process is completely different.
HYPNOTICASIA:Â Which would you say is your favorite K-POP song that youâve produced and why?
DR: That would be like asking a father to pick his favorite child. haha I truly think of the songs I’ve produced as babies sometimes. I know they’re all special to me no matter whether they are a hit or not. You might be surprised to know that some of my songs that artists and record companies didn’t want became hits years later just because the right person understood the music, just at a later time.
HYPNOTICASIA:Â Your music genre ranges from K-POP, EDM, POP and Hip-Hop, which are you more comfortable working on?
DR: As I was explaining before I am completely and totally comfortable working in any of those genres. It would only depend on the project that I’m working on at the time. I think when I look back at my career I want to be able to see my songs charted on as many categories as possible. I’m glad that’s already happening.
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HYPNOTICASIA:Â Is there an artist youâd like to work with that you havenât already?
DR: So many! Where to even begin? Just a VERY brief list: Jojo, Adam Levine, Bruno Mars, Usher, Big Sean, Sean Paul, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, Jay-Z, Coldplay, John Mayer.. wow, this list could go on forever so I’m just going to stop now! haha
HYPNOTICASIA:Â Which K-POP artist have you wanted to write a song for but havenât gotten the opportunity to?
DR: Would definitely love to get one on SNSD, BIG BANG and TVXQ!
HYPNOTICASIA:Â If you can give advice to an up and coming artist/producer/DJ/songwriter, what would it be and why?
DR:I’ve learned to use what I call the 3 P’s as my motto while coming up in the music industry; persistence, perseverance and patience. Along with this you definitely need to surround yourself with the right team to help you succeed, no one does it alone. Study music, good music. Remember everything that you hear today is coming from someone who learned it from somewhere. Learn who your favorite artist’s, producer’s or writer’s favorite musicians are and study them. Network with the right people for your career. Always be proactive and don’t wait for opportunities to come to you.. create them for yourself. If you’re going to compete with the industry’s best, you will have to be just as good or even better. Once you’re that good and you continually expose yourself to the market, eventually, the right person will notice you.
Fun Questions:
HYPNOTICASIA: Whatâs the best song to sing in the shower?
DR: For me, usually any song by Stevie Wonder.
HYPNOTICASIA: Who is your current celebrity crush?
DR: Hmmm, can’t say I really have one. lol
HYPNOTICASIA: What types of songs are on your playlist right now?
DR: My playlist is pretty diverse. I’m looking at my iTunes playlist right now and I see Bon Iver, Swedish House Mafia, Kanye West, Ace Hood, EXO, U-Kiss, Rihanna, Zedd, Frank Ocean and that’s just the last few artists that I’ve played today.
HYPNOTICASIA: The first thing I do when I wake up is…
DR: Brush my teeth.
HYPNOTICASIA: The last thing I do before I sleep isâŠ
DR:Check my phone.
HYPNOTICASIA: My most prized possession isâŠ
DR: To the tell you the truth I’ve somewhat detached from possessions, they come and go.
HYPNOTICASIA: My catchphrase would be…
DR:I use “Let’s Go” and “Yeahhh Boiii” a lot haha
HYPNOTICASIA: The best way to cheer me up when I’m down is…
DR: with food.
Check out his official website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for constant updates.
DR YouTube | DR Twitter | DR FacebookÂ
C2 Youtube | C2 Official Website
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