Letter of the Month

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM

FAITH PLUS ONE

I have been producing hip-hop and making beats for a few years now (not professionally, though). It has been an obsessive hobby and quite frankly my passion in life. I'm sure Remix staff and readers know exactly what I mean.

It was a few months ago that I really started to get discouraged thinking about whether or not my hard work would ever bear any fruit (the financial kind, that is). I belong, as do thousands of other producers, to many online communities, forums and the like. I decided to call it quits with this one site I belong to, which allows me to sell my beats. I was a member for about two years and did not sell a single track. Putting all this time and energy into something that isn't paying off didn't seem logical anymore. About two weeks later, I got an e-mail from someone in an Australian hip-hop group that heard one of my beats on that site. They wanted to purchase the exclusive rights to it for a song that was going to be on their EP coming out next year. I was elated!

Having never sold a single piece of music before, I had to learn the business — and fast. I did a few Google searches to find out about royalties and contracts. Within two weeks, the contract was signed, and I received my very first advance payment. Needless to say, I rejoined the site that week. That one experience gave me a flicker of hope for my future — one that doesn't necessarily have to include a 9 to 5 job that I hate. I was finally validated as a producer. Someone on the other side of this world felt that my work mattered at a time that I didn't. I also realized another thing: Whether I get paid or not, I love making music. And that is something I couldn't quit if I tried.
Giancarlo (John Carlo) Ghedini
Dix Hills, N.Y.

For sending in this month's winning letter, Giancarlo Ghedini wins his own Mackie Onyx Satellite FireWire recording system (MSRP: $499.99). If you send in the most inspired correspondence next month — or simply the letter we like best — you'll win the Mackie Onyx Satellite FireWire. All you have to do is send a letter to remixeditorial@remixmag.com. Please include your full mailing address.

LOVE IS…SHARING

We recently became Remix subscribers a couple of months back for the first time. We hadn't found anything like Remix before, which we came across on the Internet and immediately subscribed to.

We look forward to each edition of your magazine like little kids waiting for Santa. We just love all your articles and all the inspiring help you've given. We've got nothin' like it here in Oz. Thanks so much for keeping our dream alive. We were so stoked with your article on Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (November 2007), and we went straight out to get some of her music. She's a winner! Thanks to Remix, her music has enriched our lives and helped us believe in ourselves. We met each other over music and share the same passion for it, so each time your new issue arrives, we both pull up a chair to share the first read of Remix.
Damo and Mahera
Tyaak (“Oz”), Victoria
Australia

REMIX IS MAGIC

One day a few years ago, Remix showed up magically at my house without explanation, and I have yet to discover why fate chose to smile on me that day the way that it did. But I have learned in my 30 years on earth that when fate smiles upon you with undeserved riches, you accept.

And accept I have. Raised on recording by the information superhighway, I was at first skeptical that a physical magazine could compete with the Internet, but that skepticism is no more. Remix offers guaranteed fresh articles on techniques, gear, artists and releases that are relevant to my life today. And although I am a guy that saves nothing (if I don't throw away one thing each year that I later deeply regret, I'm not throwing enough away), I have broken that rule for some great Remix articles, like the September 2004 article on perfecting vocals on a DAW (“Audio Idol”), or last year's “Boom Boom Room” (July 2006) article on building a studio in your home (the latter of which I foolishly failed to save but was able to find again with the recent help of Editor Kylee Swenson and remixmag.com).

So thanks for finding me when you did, Remix, and keep up the great articles.
Nat Jordan
Goshen, Ind.

ARE WE THERE YET?

I'm a huge fan of Remix! You guys totally flipped my school (SAE L.A.) into something else for Remix Hotel. That was awesome!

I read the “Editor's Note” (November 2007, “What Happens Next?”) and completely understand how you feel. Every time I think my album is complete, I make a new track that I wanna put on it. Then I feel the track that's been on the playlist for a year is outdated. However, I'm coming to realize that the goal of an album is just to document a time in your life and move on! In a few years, the album will probably make sense to you.
Nathan M, aka ETHX
Producer, Metaphisik Records
Bay Area/Hollywood, Calif.

NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP

I've been a loyal reader for a while, and the last time I talked to you guys, I was a senior in the Recording Industry program at Middle Tennessee State University (class of 2005). Since graduating, I've had the opportunity to work in the industry from Virginia Beach, Va. to Hollywood, Calif. I have met many different artists, some of whom are living legends and inspire many of us to be either at the same level of creativity or even better. I just returned from an audition in Orlando, Fla. and have yet to hear the results. But one thing I have learned from my experience is to never give up. I am excited to be part of the community, as it will help me and others through times filled with many emotions, and it gives me peace of mind to express my experience. Music is my inspiration, and I enjoy sharing it with others, whether it's on turntables as a DJ or writing a song. Thank you guys so much for putting out this magazine!
Warren Young (aka Warren Peace)
Virginia Beach, Va.

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