Star Spot with Flaviyake (Duck the Bass), artist, Dj, songwriter and producer

 

An Inspiring Conversation with Flaviyake about Diversity, and Dealing with Negativity as a Woman in the Music Industry

Welcome to this episode of Star Spot! I’m Merry, and in this series, I interview InterContinental Music Awards winners and insiders, bringing you exclusive insights into the music industry. Today, I’m thrilled to have with me Flaviyake (aka Duck the Bass), Artist, Songwriter, and Producer, Grammy Voting Member, and InterContinental Music Awards member of the judging panel.

Flaviyake, also known as Duck The Bass, is a talented artist, songwriter, and producer in the Pop and EDM genres. With a background in classical music, Flaviyake began her music career at a young age and has since released music on major dance music labels. She has performed in numerous live shows and her songs have been featured on BBC6 Music Radio. In addition to her music career, Flaviya is also a Grammy NEXT alumni and voting member. As a songwriter, she has written for artists and producers worldwide. Flaviya’s unique custom-made controller for light programming and sound effects sets her apart in her performances. Her accomplishments make her a rising star in the music industry.

 

Let’s dive right into the interview summary and tap into Flaviyake’s vast knowledge and experience. The full interview is available on Instagram – click here to check it out.

 

Can you give us a brief biography of yourself?

I’m a music producer, songwriter, and DJ based in Los Angeles, California. I specialize in producing pop and dance music. Recently, I was also invited to be a judge on a new TV show from producer of the American Idol.

 

New TV show from American Idol’s producer! Can you tell us more about this TV show?

Absolutely! The TV show has an official Instagram page where you can find videos and more information. Moreover, it’s a new format where music producers serve as judges, not just traditional judges. In fact, our role is not only to judge contestants, but also to help them discover their inner artist and develop their skills.

We’re thrilled to work with up-and-coming musicians and help them reach their full potential. Additionally, I’ll be working closely with the contestants to guide and mentor them as they discover their artist side. It’s not just about singing, but also about developing their unique sound and style. I’m excited to share my knowledge and expertise with them and help them grow as artists.

Furthermore, it’s an incredible opportunity to share my passion for music and help others grow in their craft. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the show, be sure to check out its official Instagram page for updates and information.

In your experience, how have attitudes towards women in the music industry changed over time?

As a female music producer, I can tell you that the music industry has always been male-dominated, and while there has been some progress, it still has a long way to go. What I’ve noticed is that the younger generation of men is much more accepting of female DJs and producers, but the older generation still has a different mindset, and they continue to look down on women. For example, I once attended a music award ceremony in Los Angeles, and a man looked me up and down when I told him I was a producer. He said he wouldn’t have believed me if my friend hadn’t introduced me as one. It’s frustrating to encounter these kinds of attitudes, but I’m glad that younger men are more open-minded.

As for me, I’ve decided to let my work speak for itself. My producer name, Duck the Bass, is gender-neutral, and I believe that if people discover my music, they won’t care whether I’m a man or a woman. However, I know that many women in the industry struggle to be taken seriously, especially when they’re starting out. It’s hard to compete with people who already have recording studios and other expensive equipment, but there are ways to overcome these obstacles. For instance, I’ve built connections with multiple studios so that I can offer my clients different options.

Overall, I hope to see more progress in the music industry in favor of women. It’s important to continue to push for change and to create a more inclusive and diverse industry for all.

 

How did your transition from being a singer and songwriter to a DJ and producer contribute to your statement that “being a producer made me a better vocalist and being a DJ made me a better producer”?

As a vocalist, I learned how to hear my voice and mimic other singers. This skill helps me record my own vocals as a producer, and I can imagine how they will sound even with all the processing. With music production, I have to use references for my own music, especially when I’m still learning. This has helped me develop an ear to recognize what type of vocal performance sounds commercial, which is important for producing hit songs.

Being a DJ also helps me as a producer because I understand energy levels in music. Each genre has a specific energy level that you need to meet, and knowing how to do that takes production skills. For example, a Tiesto song would have an energy level of 7, while a big room genre would have an energy level of 8. Knowing this helps me create the right drums, synthesizers, and mix for each genre.

DJing also helps me make dance music because it has a specific structure that makes it easier for DJs to mix. By watching people dance, I can learn what kind of music they like, and use that knowledge to produce songs in a similar style. This also helps me mix my original tracks with top artist tracks when I DJ. For example, I mixed my house trap into Disclosure, and if it worked, I knew my track was good.

 

How has it been working with InterContinental Music Awards and being a part of the family?

I have been with InterContinental Music Awards since the beginning in LA, and it has been an incredible journey. I am happy to see the growth of icma, as it has grown exponentially over the years. The growth has been much faster than expected, with submissions increasing three times or even more each year. It is amazing to see the progress and how many people are benefiting from ICMA.

Working with icma has been great. People who win the icma award receive personal feedback and can ask questions. Our answers help them to grow and continue their music career with direction in mind. For example, some people want their music to be on the radio, but actually, their music is excellent for sync placements. icma helps to open their minds to new ideas and possibilities they might not have considered before. I am glad that people are thankful and happy to have an award at home or in their studio.

 

What is your advice for new artists who face challenges such as negative comments and lack of belief from others?

They have to reshape their mindset and get used to it because unfortunately, there are lots of people who have nothing to do and they just spread their hate on the internet. It takes time to develop that mindset and put boundaries and remind yourself that there are people that actually support you.

If you have five people that believe in you, it means if more people knew about you, you would have many more people supporting you. Focus on the positive and block out the negative. It’s important to celebrate every little achievement because in music there is so much disappointment and negativity, such as negative comments on social media or people not believing in you. Celebrating even small achievements, like winning an award or being mentioned in an article, can remind you that if you have this achievement, you can have more of these achievements in the future.

 

Do you have any last words to share with our readers?

First of all, I want to say thank you so much for reading this interview and I hope you learned something from my experience. I also encourage you to submit your music to our InterContinental Music Awards. You might win a one-on-one session with me and receive personal feedback and advice. So stay in touch with us! Thank you again for joining us, and I hope to be on Star Spot very soon again. Thank you and have a great day!

 

if you’re interested in showcasing your talent and receiving personal feedback and advice, consider submitting your music to the InterContinental Music Awards. Learn more by clicking here!

 

Flaviyake’s Contact Info:

 

 

Click here to watch the full interview on Instagram 

 

InterContinental Music Awards Team

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