Guess what? It’s story time.
But this one isn’t for you—it’s for me. Well, the old me.
I’m writing to that 24-year-old kid, full of ambition but drowning in doubt. The one who had never made music on a computer, just trying to figure it all out.
There’s so much I could tell you.
Like the fact that you’ll sign with major labels. You’ll leave corporate America. You’ll tour the country. You’ll meet industry pros. You’ll make a living doing what you love.
Hell, you’ll even remix Beyoncé. You’ll create hundreds of songs no one will ever hear. You’ll make friends, lose some, and start an online music school. You’ll feel fulfilled. You’ll feel empty. You’ll be alive. You’ll be exhausted. You’ll experience it all—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
So, let’s talk. I’ve got a lot to share.
1. Less Is More
Music production is undeniably complex.
Because of that, it’s easy to keep chasing more—more plugins, more gear, more tutorials.
But do you really need nine different synths? Sixteen saturation plugins? To binge-watch YouTube tutorials until your brain melts? Does that drop actually need another layer?
Ask any professional, and they’ll tell you: mastering one synth inside and out will take you further than knowing ten at a surface level.
And while we’re at it, stop using extra layers to cover up weak ideas. If something isn’t working, fix it at the core instead of stacking distractions on top.
I’m not saying there’s no value in staying hungry (more on that later), but in my experience, having less forces you to grow. It pushes you to refine your craft instead of constantly reaching for external solutions that, let’s be real, aren’t in your control.
Someone once put it best:
“When you learn martial arts, you spend hours practicing long sequences of movements. But if someone picks a fight with you in the street, you don’t break out into a choreographed routine. The better you get, the more power you unleash with the fewest moves.”
That’s exactly how music production works. Less clutter. More impact.
2. Relax—This Isn’t a Sprint
Man, you used to be terrible at this.
You thought sheer effort alone would break you into the industry. That if you just worked harder and longer than everyone else, you’d outrun the competition.
And sure, hard work helps—but music doesn’t work like that. Life doesn’t either.
So, slow down. There’s no rush. The journey is long, and you have time.
3. You’re Never Too Old to Start
This brings me to my next point: you’re never too old to begin.
You didn’t start making music on a computer until you were 23. Over time, you’ll realize that you have students in their 40s and 50s—some of them even crushing it and making incredible music.
So, no matter your age, if music is something you want to dive into, don’t wait. Start today.
Not tomorrow. Today!
4. Never Stop Learning—Forget Complacency
You’ll need to accept that the learning never ends.
Whether you’re a superstar like Skrillex or just starting out in your bedroom, the hunger to improve and grow should never fade. The moment you think you’ve made it—whether commercially or personally—is just the beginning of a never-ending journey.
Don’t let yourself get comfortable. If you do, your art will grow stale, and worse, you’ll lose the fulfillment and challenge that keep you going.
5. Writer’s Block Is a Myth
Let’s talk creativity—writer’s block is 100% a myth.
Creating music is all about habits. To get in the groove of starting, progressing, and finishing tracks, you’ve got to make finishing your music a top priority.
It doesn’t always come easy, but it does get easier. The hardest part is simply sitting down and starting. Once that spark kicks in, or the idea starts to flow, you’ll find motivation follows.
That’s right—mood follows action. So next time you’re drained after a long day or just feeling off, sit down and get started. You’ll be surprised by what comes next.
If you’re still struggling to get a song off the ground, check out 8 Creativity Hacks: How to Start Your Song in an Empty DAW.
Also, let’s not forget: the foundation of great music lies in chords and melodies. If you’re not confident with these, it’s time to dig into music theory. It’s easier than you think, and it will elevate your music. After all, listeners don’t connect with EQ or compression—they connect with great songs.
6. Put Yourself Out There
This one’s crucial—so pay attention.
Don’t be afraid to show the world who you truly are as an artist. Don’t get hung up on what’s trendy right now. Burnout doesn’t come from the work itself; it comes when you forget why you’re doing it in the first place.
Let me say that again, because it’s important:
You don’t get burned out because of the work itself, you get burned out because you forgot why you’re doing it in the first place.
I can’t tell you how many times you found yourself obsessed with a new song and tried so hard to recreate something similar. And guess what? It almost never worked. Sure, borrow a little inspiration from a genre or track you love, but once you’re making music for external validation, you’re missing the point.
Oh, and if someone in the industry invites you to hang out—just show up. Don’t overthink it—just be there.
7. Kill Self-Doubt & Fear
I can promise you that every legendary artist has faced their own share of self-doubt and frustration. One of the true tests of your growth as an artist is how you can channel that self-doubt into something positive.
Look at Porter Robinson, one of your all-time favorite producers. In 2015, he tweeted something that might surprise you:
“Everyone feels self-doubt at some point. It’s part of the journey.”
If someone as successful as Porter can experience self-doubt at that point in his career, it’s a sign that it’s perfectly normal. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back or stop you from pursuing what you love.
So, hear me out—self-doubt is okay. Acknowledge its presence, but don’t let it steal your passion for music. And above all, don’t let it take control of your journey.
8. Trust Your Taste
At the end of the day, what truly separates producers is not the tools or sounds we use—we all have access to the same things. We’re all playing the same game in the same reality. So, what sets you apart? It’s your taste.
Your taste shapes what we consider “dope.” It makes you unique. It becomes the driving force behind your work, pushing you to meet certain standards and develop your signature style.
Your taste is what defines you as an artist. In a way, being an artist is just one long journey where we’re striving to turn our taste into reality through the music we create.
9. Check Your Ego
Keep it simple—drop the ego. Be kind to everyone.
Disliking pop music doesn’t make you cool, it just makes you narrow-minded. Hating on trends doesn’t make you a rebellious genius with better taste—every style, every genre has something to teach you. If you can’t see that, maybe you should rethink your path.
And one more thing—stay away from people with inflated egos. They’re exhausting.
10. Don’t Over-Spend
The parallels between entrepreneurship and music production are huge. Gary Vaynerchuk, one of your future favorites, once said:
“Do you really need that ergonomic chair? Do you really need such a nice office? Businesses need to make money and if you’re not profitable, you’re not doing your job. Don’t spend too much before you’re ready. Hustle early and late. Stay lean.”
What does this mean for music? You don’t need to spend big bucks on pro-level gear just because you’re starting out. KRKs will do for now. No need for an Apollo Twin right away. You don’t need $500 headphones at first either.
If you’re in your 20s, don’t buy that Mercedes you’ve been dreaming about—get a reliable used car first. Same goes for music. Keep it simple. Once your music starts supporting you or you see consistent growth, then, and only then, should you think about upgrading your gear.
You did this the right way—you stuck with that old laptop and speakers for over 3 years before taking a production class and finally investing in some better equipment. Don’t get too cocky though—this is the only time I’m giving you a pat on the back in this letter.
11. Stop Being So Damn Intimidated
You’ve stressed yourself out way more times than necessary. Maybe this is personal, but seriously—chill out! You don’t need to be intimidated by every industry pro or artist who wants to work with you.
The truth is, this industry isn’t that huge, and your actions do matter, but that doesn’t mean that every person you meet is the key to your career.
When you step into the studio with a new producer, think of it as a chance to learn new skills and see how someone else gets things done. You don’t have to carry all the weight. If anything, it should lighten the load. And doesn’t that feel good?
12. Referencing is Everything
When you’re in the studio, referencing is crucial. It’s not about copying; it’s about using reference material to tune your ears. Unfortunately, your own perception of what you think you’re hearing is often pretty flawed—everyone’s is. And what you hear can change from day to day.
So, how do you implement reference tracks? Simple: listen to your reference during breaks, both in the composition and mixing stages. It will significantly help you calibrate your ears. This is really the best way to become familiar with what a well-balanced, professional-sounding mix actually is.
Without referencing, you’ll get lost. You could spend hours overworking a mix and end up ruining it simply because you didn’t use something as simple as a reference track.
13. There is No Such Thing as ‘Making It’
I haven’t forgotten how you used to think. Late at night, you’d put on headphones and imagine your music blasting to thousands of people. “Once I’m playing my music at a festival, then—only then—will I have made it,” you thought. That’s when you thought you’d feel truly fulfilled as an artist.
Well, sorry to break it to you—but it’s a myth. Aside from a few superstars flying private jets and charging $50-100K per show, “making it” is a highly abstract concept.
Mat Zo tweeted in 2015 that “making it” doesn’t exist, even though he was touring the world and releasing incredible music adored by millions. Markus Schulz constantly obsessed over selling out stadium tours, even though he sold out every club he played.
The point is, everyone’s idea of “making it” evolves and changes over time. You’re not Mat Zo or Markus Schulz, but if I told you what you’d accomplish in the next 10 years, you’d probably think you had made it. But here we are, and it’s clear—“making it” is just an idea, not a destination.
14. Don’t Pay Attention to Everyone Else
Stop focusing on what everyone else is doing. Figure out your own dreams, desires, and goals—and pursue them relentlessly. My definition of success is pretty simple: waking up every single day and making a living doing what you love. Anything outside of that? It’s pretty irrelevant.
Every industry has its rat race. Choose to opt out and do what makes you happiest, no matter what that looks like.
15. Don’t Stress Too Much About Money
I know this might seem like a big statement, but hear me out: if you follow your passion and master your craft, there are countless ways to eventually make money. So, instead of stressing about finances, focus on getting insanely good at what you do. And if you find yourself broke for a while? That’s okay.
In fact, it can be oddly freeing and even a bit stoic. Living lean and scraping to make rent helped you figure out what truly matters in life. Plus, it’s amazing how little you actually need to survive.
Sure, I could’ve gone back to a corporate job to pay the bills, but I’d have ended up exactly where I started. There’s nothing wrong with taking a step back to eventually take giant leaps forward.
16. Invest in Yourself
I know, I know—I just told you not to stress about money, but this applies both ways: in earning and spending. Want to enrich your music journey by reading a book? Go for it. Think you should take a class or hire a coach? Absolutely. Should you attend that festival? Probably. Will that sample pack help you finish your next track? Most likely.
That pride you feel from doing everything yourself? It’s often just an obstacle standing in the way of your growth. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or spend on things that will move you forward. It makes the journey a lot easier.
To this day, that one class you invested in that cost over $3K changed everything for you. It led you to leaving your corporate job—arguably the best thing that ever happened to you. Without that class, there’s no way you would have been able to build a career in music production.
17. Make Health a Priority
As someone who once prided themselves on outworking everyone else, making health a priority was something I had to learn the hard way. In my early twenties, nothing seemed to faze me—I could go out drinking with friends, eat fast food regularly, and my metabolism took care of the rest. But as the years went by, the effects started to catch up.
Drinking became more of a distraction. All the hours spent sitting while working on music began to show up as lower back pain. My lack of movement every day caused my strength to drop. I started gaining weight, and anxiety levels went up.
So, what’s the solution?
- Get outside more.
- Lift weights.
- Take fitness classes.
- Go for runs, ride your bike.
- Go hiking, go camping.
- Eat less meat.
- Stay away from processed food.
- Invest in a standing desk.
The best part? You’ll feel more inspired when you take breaks from the studio. Stay healthy, my friend!
18. Be Ruthless About Finishing Songs
Easier said than done, I know. But focus on the full picture—the entire song first. Mixing, sound design, and making commercially relevant music is tough, but you’ll get there, eventually.
Prioritize finishing entire songs before getting stuck on perfecting small elements, like the perfect kick drum or side-chaining your vocal reverb for hours.
Finishing music exposes your weaknesses. Think about it—every time you finish a song, do you notice the same issues? Poor arrangement? Weak sound design? An amateur mix? The sooner you finish and face those weaknesses, the quicker you’ll grow.
19. Give More Than You Receive
Every time you prioritize giving—whether it’s through feedback, sharing sounds, offering advice, or whatever—it comes back to you tenfold. The more you give, the more you receive. It might sound like it’s rooted in negative intentions, but if you do it genuinely, with no expectations in return, you’ll see life improve, both professionally and socially.
There are a lot of producers who think they need to hoard their secrets, afraid that sharing a patch, sample, or chord progression will invite copycats. To those producers, I say:
Even if they copy you, so what? Let them be second. Even if they use the same sounds, their version will still be unique. Sharing is the best way to build your network, because you’re providing value to others. And by the way, it helps if you do it with a smile.
20. Break the Rules
Now that I’ve shared almost twenty different rules, ideas, and concepts for you to embrace, I urge you—please—break the damn rules. In fact, learn the rules, just so you know why you’re breaking them.
Not to get all Robert Frost on you, but absorb as much information as you can, so when you take the road less traveled, you know exactly why you’re choosing it.
And one last thing—stop taking everything so seriously. You’ll thank me when you’re older.
