Creativity. What does this simple, everyday word mean to you? Is it a common trait for someone to have? Or is it a unique skill fostered and developed slowly over time?
Some people take hold of creativity and use it to further their ambitions, to reach a grander audience, to make something of themselves.
MUTE™ has an eye for these creatives, both the artists and the industry they belong to. They embody what the brand represents. We strongly believe in the idea that people should be able to do what they love and still make a living out of it. With this in mind, we’ve secured an exclusive interview with up-and-coming music producer, Nathaniel Lee (@natjemlee on Instagram), a rising star in the music industry with a burning passion for his craft. Going by the pseudonym “netjam”, his many challenges and experiences, both good and bad, are put on full display in this creative showcase, just for you.
Netjam:
Hi, I am Nathaniel Lee, also known as netjam and I’m a music producer from Singapore doing lo-fi hip hop.
MUTE:
What inspired you to get started in the creative industry?
Credit: @natjemlee
Netjam:
So how I got started in my creative industry was actually through dance. When I started dancing, I was introduced to music from hip hop and slowly branched out from that to lo-fi hip hop.
I started listening to Nujabes and J Dilla when I was 14. Then I was like, oh I really dig this kind of music. From there, my love for music grew.
Many artists find themselves tumbling down a rabbit hole opened by an unlikely interest, with some eventually coming face-to-face with a newfound passion for music.
Creativity means something different to many people. It manifests itself in many forms. It can be art, speech or a simple expression. In netjam, it became music.
MUTE:
What were some of the struggles you faced at the beginning?
Netjam:
I started out without any knowledge in music. So I think that starting out, trying to do the research and everything was really tough. When you load up a new project, you start from scratch and there’s really nothing so you have to create something out of nothing.
I think to me that’s the hardest part since I didn’t have much knowledge. But I still went onto do my own research and everything. Starting out, that was the hardest part for me.
What is one to do when faced with a creative roadblock? Stop in their tracks and eventually shut down entirely? Or find an alternative solution, another way around the problem? netjam described such an obstacle as one that isn’t insurmountable, but nevertheless requires a great deal of effort to overcome. For those of us without a proper starting point, one option is to turn to our own creative minds and skillsets.
Credit: @natjemlee
MUTE:
Have you had any memorable experiences, being in your industry?
Netjam:
I think basically for every track right when you start drafting, there’s always going to be things that don’t work out. You’ll be like “ah sh*t”, you know like, it’s not working out. There were also times where, you know… when you hit the right notes and then you go like “ooo” that’s the sweet spot.
From there you go on with it and it’s like, okay, you add more layers and layers upon layers and then everything adds up. In the end you’re like, okay, I did it. It’s like a sense of achievement when you finish the whole thing and it all sounds great.
In school, work or hobby, things don’t always go the way you want. Sometimes the results just aren’t satisfactory. But often times through perseverance, glimpses of steps in the right direction eventually form a final product one could genuinely be proud of.
netjam faced similar problems, like just anyone else would. But now with plays numbering in the tens of thousands, you can find all of netjam’s latest releases on Spotify under the artist’s own name, a testament to grit and tenacity.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5EHibOCJKcu5OgLyG8yxym?si=2g1ifo0wTvecIV0OONBjBQ
MUTE:
What were your parents’ views on you becoming a music producer?
Netjam:
They really weren’t all that excited about it. My parents just gave me the impression of “it doesn’t work until it works”. If it works, then it’s cool. But if it doesn’t work then its back to studying. Right now, I wouldn’t say I have made it yet. At least I’m not anywhere near satisfied with where I am to tell my parents I’m going to do music for real, but they are still supportive.
What’s most important is that they don’t hinder my work process.
It’s not always easy for parents to accept their child’s path or ambition. We’re fairly certain many of us can relate to that. This is especially prevalent here in Singapore, with the older generation prioritizing traditional roads to success like further education and high-paying occupations. But it doesn’t take a scholar to realize that not everyone is meant to be a doctor or a lawyer.
It’s crucial that those close to us remain supportive of our aspirations. For if our parents aren’t there for us, who else can we expect to have our backs?
Credit: @natjemlee
MUTE:
Do you have any advice for individuals who want to become music producers?
Netjam:
For me personally, it’s all about the grind. To me, I don’t even know anything about music, right? So that there isn’t even a term of talent. The passion has to be there. Your interest for music has really got to be there. If you have the interest, you will put in the hours to do your research and you’ll be thinking of putting more effort, like the money and everything into this thing.
I would say that blind faith is the most important because many times when things just don’t work out, we tend to give up. I went through that phase too but blind faith, it really works. I know because you’ve just got to keep going and going, doing it for the love and eventually, you’ll get there.
Given the result in the end, it’s clear that drive and passion trump any supposed lack of talent or experience, as long as one is willing to put in the work like netjam has. When the climb seems too steep, blind faith, as he put it, can become an unparalleled motivator, preventing surrender and allowing one to ascend further.
Through this interview, it’s evident that creativity alone isn’t enough to excel in an artist’s endeavors. But if you pour your effort into your passion to nurture it and never falter, it’ll become your best bet for success.
Creativity lies within each and every one of us. It’s up to the individual to take hold and turn it into something great.
Watch MUTE's full interview with netjam below, or read another article:
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