Our Producer of the Week is 26-year-old producer RJ $tackhouse who was born and raised in Richmond, VA! RJ is a multifaceted musician with various musical talents and skills. On top of producing for others, the majority of his own songs are produced by himself. He is constantly looking to push his limits and redefine his image and music style with each project he puts out. RJ is truly a jack of all trades when it comes to music, so how did he get into producing in the first place?
Vy: How long have you been producing?
RJ: I’ve been producing for over a decade. I started in middle school on GarageBand, and I never looked back. Now as an adult, I've been able to produce for other people. I usually only produce for myself though, and 90% of my own music is produced solely by me.
Vy: What software and instruments do you use now compared to when you started out?
RJ: My main instrument is piano, but I dabble in a few other percussion instruments like drums.
I produce mainly in Logic.
Vy: What inspires you in your creation of beats?
RJ: I am inspired by all kinds of music - not really one genre. It really depends on what mood I’m in. Sometimes I go days at a time listening to R&B only. Other days it's rap or classical music. Lately, I’ve been into Drum N Bass & movie scores though. I don’t know when I’ll get out of that mood, but I love what I’ve been getting inspired by lately.
"I always go off of my mood." - RJ $tackhouse
Vy: Briefly describe your work process when it comes to making music.
RJ: My work process depends on how much time I have on my hands when I’m feeling inspired. If I have a lot of time, I’ll bring out my keyboard and spend hours making full beats. I don’t like just making loops and not finishing beats. If I’m limited on time, I'll cook something up that I’m used to, like rap beats.
Not regular rap beats though. I’m more into Electronic/Techno infused rap beats. Like the sub-genres of PlugNB, HyperTrap, HyperPop underground wave. Those are so fun. I started out making electronic music when I was a kid - not rap. So to see that mixing together when I was already on that wave is cool. Full circle moment.
Vy: Lastly, what's one fact about you?
RJ: A fun fact is that I run to the beat of the music I’m listening to in the gym. I usually listen to Star Wars movie soundtracks in the gym - or anime opening and closing themes in there haha.
I've actually had the honor of seeing RJ make beats in person, and his work process is insane! He just feels stuff, tries it out, and goes for it. I love his duality of being laid back yet serious about his work, and it definitely shows in the songs that he produces as well. Be sure to check out RJ $tackhouse, and stay tuned for our next Producer of the Week!
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Written by Vy Truong, @avocavy on IG