Interview with Producer 'Where's Your Reality?' (forgivethedays)

Music producer Where's Your Reality? (forgivethedays) came top of December 2011's Beat Charts. I caught up and interview him, here's what he had to say about being a producer.

Thanks for taking the time to do this interview forgivethedays. Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from and an interesting fact
I'm very glad to do the interview! This is actually my first! I started producing at age 16, I'm now 21. My name is Caleb and I'm from the small state of Arkansas.

MUSIC
Is there a story behind your name forgivethedays/Where's Your Reality??
Well, funny story on that. I don't actually go by forgivethedays. forgivethedays was an AIM handle I used as a kid.
I actually go by Where's Your Reality? When I signed up on this website, there wasn't enough space for Where's Your Reality?
I got the name Where's Your Reality? from seeing people completely out of touch of reality.

What genres of music do you produce? What's your favorite?
I started off making trance in March 2007. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to be making at first. From then, I went to progressive and house music. Found Electro house and fell in love with the style.
Now, I've been trying to make a mix of hiphop with progressive leads and electro/dubstep basslines.
My favorite type of genre would be electro house and dubstep.

How long have you been producing?
In March 2012 I'll hit the 5 year mark.

What first got you interested in becoming a music producer??
This is actually funny, when I was 16 I loved guitar hero. It allowed me to sort of see how the notes were put together.

What/who are you inspired by?
I am inspired the most by Deadmau5.

Do you use samples or compose your beats from scratch?
I do a mixture of both.

What software and hardware do you use to produce music?
Right now, I use FL Studio 10. I started on FL 7. I get too distracted when using hardware so I've been completely using DAWS and VSTS. My favorite being NI Massive.

Do you see music production as a career or as a hobby?
Right now, I see music production as a hobby. I release all my tracks for free. Don't get me wrong, If a career could come of it, I would take it in a heartbeat.

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?
Right now, I wanna provide free music to people who enjoy it. I love FL Studio and I'd really like to be featured as a power user on FL Studio.

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution team behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?
I do not, sadly.

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved and are most proud of?
I'm really proud of myself for winning number 1 top beat on crazy pellas for Dec. 2011.

Have you ever made any contact with big time people in the industry and do you keep in contact with them?
I used to work at a computer store when I was younger. I had a coworker that was a sound man for several classic rock bands. I can't remember all the ones he did sound for, but he was very knowledgable and helped me a lot.
I still have contact with them.

What one tip would you give to other aspiring music producers?
Never give up. NEVER GIVE UP! I wanted to give up several times, but I'm so glad I didn't.

What do you see is in the future for the music industry? How do you think it will evolve/change?
My opinion on that. Seems to me Dubstep has become really hot. Hiphop has been too. Which is why I'm trying to do a mix of both with tempos at 128 and 140.

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET
Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas.net?
I found CrazyPellas.net google searching for vocal samples to put in my tracks. I ran across it and signed up and completely loved it. Great community.

Has this website helped you at all in your musical journey?
Of course, I haven't been here long. Everyone is nice and honest. I got a very warm welcome when I posted my first posting.

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as an underground producer?
Oh, of course it has. If I didn't have internet, no one would know I even existed.

How do you think social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have affected the music industry?
I think it's really helped. People are able to put there music out there to be heard. It's a lot easier than making CDs and handing them out when you can just post something on facebook

Where can we check out your beats online?
http://www.soundcloud.com/wheresyourreality
I also have a facebook page. Just search "Where's Your Reality?"

IN CLOSING
What projects are you working on at the moment?
As a kid, I loved playing Mortal Kombat. I've been starting on a Mortal Kombat remix.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?
I'll still be producing music, that's for sure.

Do you want to give a shout-out to anyone?
My main shoutout goes to my best friend, MirrorVision. I told him to sign up here and he has.
Thanks Whitley! You've always really pushed me to be better. True friends, for sure.

Thanks again Where's Your Reality? for doing this interview.

You can also find some of forgivethedays/Where's Your Reality? beats in the Homemade Beats forum.