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Tech Sessions #11

It's A Party Thing
I got hit up with a really interesting message on AIM the other day and I figured it would make a good if not not-so-technical topic. The question was 'do you get high when you do your beats?' Now, I could get down on some just say no…yada, yada, yada but I get the feeling somebody out there would know better. The truth is there is no real answer because everybody is different.

Like in any mindset, I've had slamming days and whack days working with dro on my mind; it really can depend. So it really just comes down to you getting to know yourself. Like, if it's a pressure filled day then that is definitely something that helps relieve tension.

But on the other hand, there's no way I could write a song or flip a beat if I've been drinking heavy because I know how I get. My mind will be more on trying to get to where my people are at than coming up with some hot shit so that's no good.

Now when tracking with artists, you have to be mindful of what their limits are as well. Some artists can only track with 20 people around blowing trees and raising hell and others get so caught up in it that they end up hanging out more than they do working.

There are no rules for us outside of do what's best for the song. It's a fine line way of living life too because common sense says keep things orderly and on-point but sometimes that is the worst thing you can do,because if handled the wrong way, then people get all kinds of stressed out.

Plus, in situations like club/party joints you can actually put the crew to work by having them on gang vocals or call-out hooks and what not. The bottom line is the song is getting done and is hot. Obviously, flipping a deeper track that calls for somebody to go inside of themselves more might not lend itself to the crew hanging out but again you have to ask yourself before you clean house 'will the artist perform better without all these people?'

Now, most of the time, I tend to say they will because people can get kinda testy about taking direction in front of people that will not hesitate to clown them. Plus, extra people usually make for extra comments that do not do that much more than make things take longer than they need to.

So it really comes down to one question, whether in your own personal use or others, is can it be flipped to an advantage?

You gotta stay open because just like some people can not work under the influence, some can not work without being under the influence. And while maybe a bit harsh, it's the cold facts of the business we work in.

Glover is one half of the Atlanta, GA based production squad The Audio Assassins which are founding members of The Elements. You can find them both at Audioassassins.com and theelementsinc.com

Message Glover with your take on being under the influence and creating music!

Glover

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