We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Neel Erickson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Neel below.
Hi Neel, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
It would be easy for me to say something like “music has always called to me” or “I’ve always loved making, playing, and performing music”. Both are absolutely true, but I think the real answer to this question goes deeper than that.
I grew up believing that math, science, and sports were my forte, and that the creative arts always eluded me. As a student, I believed my purpose was to use my mind to help solve problems in business, so after college I went straight into working as a strategic consultant. I quickly realized that I was quite miserable in that life, and that my journey needed a shift. I wanted to impact and improve peoples’ lives in a more meaningful way, so I asked myself – what had affected me like that in my own life? Who had impacted me in in those profound ways, and how did they do it?
Personally, it was always the teachers, musicians, and artists – they all seemed to be living a spiritually free and fulfilling life, and their energy would always rub off on me. I felt their excitement and love for their craft, and that in turn always inspired a shared excitement and love within me.
Not being one to mull on “what-ifs?”, I decided to leave my job and pursue my own artistic path head-on. I found online courses, mentors, and music schools to guide me in this new journey, and I felt life return to me. I knew almost instantly that I’d found my field, but what was my purpose within that field? Again, I asked myself what had impacted me the most, and again I found the answer in directly helping others and in spreading joy and freedom. As cheesy and optimistic as it sounded, I kept it close to my heart as my true goal, and I found the universe kept opening doors for me to achieve that goal.
I took some jobs early in my music career as an educator and coach, helping other musicians improve their craft and find their artistic direction. That has continued to bring me immense joy, and yet I found myself wanting to make a wider impact still – so I began a second job as a ghost producer and engineer so I could turn my emotions into art. This medium allowed me to touch the lives of many at once, and although it was slow to start, I kept with it. Within a few years, I’d made connections with major studios and schools, and my recordings racked up millions of streams, and I’d received messages from people telling me how the music I’d worked on had helped them through tough times.
At this stage, I’d found happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment in my work; I still do, and I absolutely love all of my coaching and engineering work every single day. However, I realized I still hadn’t met my true purpose as an artist, and finding that was a much tougher journey. I couldn’t just ask what had made a difference in my life, as the answers were still too unfocused for my true calling. So, I began asking myself the age-old question: “Who am I?”
Finding that answer was not an overnight task – it took me over two years of exploration and introspection to really find what mattered most to me. I wanted to make music that inspired others to let go, be themselves, and care for their communities. I began making all sorts of music in a wide variety of genres to discover what style really matched those goals, and again this wasn’t an instant solution. It took loads of experimentation, but eventually I began to notice trends in the styles, sounds, and vibes of the music I made that really spoke to me.
When I first began my music journey six years ago, I was optimistic that I’d find the answers right away, and that I’d find my artistic purpose with relative ease. That was one of my early mistakes – I wanted to rush to the end of the journey, when I’d found true fulfillment. But if it weren’t for the entire journey – the process of exploration and experimentation – I never would have gotten to the state I am in now, ready to launch my new artist project that truly satisfies my inner desire.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am first and foremost an artist and producer, but I apply that in a handful of equally meaningful ways. I do have my own artist projects (one solo and one group), but I also keep up with my artist coaching and my mixing and mastering services.
For my own projects, I am preparing public launches in late 2023! My solo project, Harmonee, will feature upbeat electronic vibes with inspiration from my past as a live instrumentalist, and I’ll be blending multiple styles and subgenres of music to create a project that truly represents my own personality. You can expect to hear elements of house, future bass, and trap infused with lively vocals and real-world instruments. My group project – Monsters & Waffles – features a darker vibe overall with a focus on deep house music, but the identity of the project will be equally playful, celebrating the inner monsters in all of us.
In my coaching, I meet individually with a number of up-and-coming artists to work on their music and direction, and to help them achieve their own goals in the industry. I absolutely love every moment spent with my students – not only do I get to share my passion and excitement for music every single day, but I also get to see the same love grow within them. Many of my students have started as humbled bedroom producers and have gone on to sign with major labels, perform at festivals, and have their music played across the world. I’m always eager to meet new producers and help them meet their goals, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like!
As for my ghost production, mixing, and mastering services, I currently have a profile on SoundBetter that helps me meet new clients across the world. This is a truly exciting experience for me, because I get to work on all sorts of genres and styles, from classical to pop to underground music, and I can help artists with an existing vision really perfect their final products. I’ve become friends with producers and label-owners from across the globe, and the music we’ve all worked on has racked up millions of streams, with features on major Spotify playlists like New Music Friday – it’s definitely more than I would have been able to achieve individually, and I love the chance to work with other artists!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’d definitely say that a sense of humility and thirst for knowledge is #1 on the list. It’s easy when creating art to overestimate our own ability and to discount constructive feedback for our work, but understanding that you don’t know it all is the best way to learn more.
The second piece of the puzzle is stepping out of your comfort zone and working on projects that aren’t directly in your genre and area of expertise. I’ve learned more about electronic music for my own projects by working on acoustic pop covers for example, as it’s forced me to expand my perspective on music and how different elements work together. I’ve discovered new techniques that prove valuable in my own work, all by stepping outside of my individual area and working with others in a completely different vibe.
Finally, I’d say that experimentation is truly a key ingredient to success. What I initially thought was going to be my sound and style has evolved so much, and genres that I initially dismissed have actually become a key part of my work. Growth comes from taking risks and trying new things, not from repeating the same tasks we’ve already mastered. This seems a bit similar to #2 above, but true experimentation (not just dabbling in other areas that have already been explored) is the key difference – sometimes you have to fumble around in the dark to find what you need.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always looking for new partnerships and collaborations! Community and togetherness are one of the key tenants of my project and purpose, and I’ve found so much joy and experience in working with others.
Whether you’re a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, or anyone in a creative field, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I love producing for vocalists above all else, helping them match the vibe and character of their voice with the perfect instrumental and beat. Whether you’ve already got a defined artistic direction or are still searching for your “sound”, I can help provide the productions needed for your project.
If you’re interested in collaborating, you can contact me anytime on SoundBetter by searching my name (Neel Erickson), or by reaching out at [email protected]!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundbetter.com/profiles/229846-neel-erickson
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmoneemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neel.k.erickson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelerickson/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/harmoneemusicofficial
