1. What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and when did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?
Ever since I was young my grandmother bought me a toy piano. I always loved it. Pressing random notes to generate sounds, some bad and some good ones haha. It wasn't til my 11th birthday that my grandmother bought me my 1st electric keyboard. It was a Casio. It wasn't until then I noticed I can play songs by ear and had a natural gift when I wanted to pursue music.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an emerging artist, and how have you overcome them?
I'm still facing them as of now. There's a lot of noise out there, and being able to stand out from the noise is the hardest challenge yet.
3. Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
Some of my early influences were from video game soundtracks. Grant Kirkhope, composer of Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64, Martin O'Donnell, composer of the original Halo Trilogy and Destiny. Then it led to me listening to the music that my dad, Arcy Voz Cavalier listened to. U2, Sting, The Smiths, Journey, KISS, The Cure all shaped me into who I am today with music. I also got lost in the music of Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk and N.W.A recently. These influences shaped my sound to be a blend of U2, Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk, with a
little hip hop flavors here and there. All mixed up in the bowl.
4. How do you approach the songwriting process, and where do you draw inspiration from for your lyrics and melodies?
I first look at my past. A Lot of people don't realize that artists use their past memories, trauma and experiences as the backbone for most of their tracks. Or it comes from a political stand as well. For me. My melodies come out from the instrumental aspect of the song. My music partner and friend, Mike Killzem and I blend a lot of these ideas together including another artist 3-DEATH
5. What can listeners expect from your upcoming album or project, and how does it differ from your previous work?
Hmm, that's a good question. The two records I have out now, Genesis and Psalms of the Universe are part of a trilogy of instrumentals that I've composed to reflect my journey from my adolescence years to my current age. The 1st album is a tribute to the sounds of the Sega Genesis, my childhood. The 2nd album's a reflection of my teen years after discovering I'm apache, so there's a little native american inspiration in there mixed with meditative soundscapes. For my 3rd album and the final installment of my trilogy of instrumentals is going to be a blend of all three albums with major Retrowave influences. I'd just expect it to sound very different and unique. I'm putting all my knowledge into this record. My World drops May 26, 2023. (you read it here first)
6. How has your background or life experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Totally. I was always surrounded by naysayers my whole life. This is proof that they were wrong about me.
7. Can you talk about a particularly memorable or inspiring performance you've had, and what made it special?
Back in 2013 I was part of a church band as the lead keyboardist and we opened for Freddy Rodriguez (Christian Artist) in a packed venue, Southlands Church which holds around 1000 people. Biggest crowd I played in front of yet. Only bad memory was the footage was lost due to a corrupted SD card, plus the church didn't have a backup.
8. What do you hope listeners take away from your music, and what message do you want to convey through your art?
That anything is possible. That's the main message.
9. How has the music industry changed since you first started, and how have you adapted to those changes as an artist?
The main thing that I could get my music distributed on to mainstream music platforms plus the loads of competition that came with it. Adapting to it pushes me to grind even hard and stay genuine to my craft. I'm glad and lucky I'm able to learn from my Dad, Arcy Voz Cavalier who's been in the industry in the old days. I like to apply the old with the new and utilize them to my advantage.
10. What advice would you give to other emerging artists who are just starting out in the industry?
Be true to yourself in your craft. Keep grinding and shining like what my other music partner, Billionairekingnq says. Only you can get the work done. Only you.