Source has been highlighting emerging producer Guy Schmidt’s growth this past year. This summer, he’s teaming up with local artists and producers to follow up THE BOY AND THE MOON. Guy Schmidt is the producer we didn’t know we needed. To witness how this artist continues to improve his craft with each release is quite amazing. We recently sat down and discussed this plans for this year.
A New Beginning
It all started with a simple dream a few years ago in Ohio, where Schmidt would produce beats on a laptop his friend would lend him during school hours because he couldn’t afford one of his own.
On how Guy Schmidt started
I started pursuing music when I was 12 years old. I searched for my passions between the ages of 15 and 17 years old. I played sports at that time, but it wasn’t what I liked the most. I did it more to please my dad.
I was good, but it wasn’t like I wanted to get up early for it that much. And in that search, well, one day, I skipped school and went to my cousin’s house, a music producer here in the US. He was already older and already knew more artists. It was with him that I began to work.
On his cousin’s role in his creative process
I have a work connection and friendship with my cousin. He is like my best friend. However, back then, I told him I didn’t want to make music with him because people would say that I was earning success on his back. I never wanted to be second best, his shadow, or people saying that I gained popularity because I was his cousin. But he has been essential in my life. He has motivated me a lot. I’m just missing my university degree, something he went after too, and I haven’t been able to do. He always told me to study and do both music and a career. He set the greatest example I have of how personable and professional a person can be.
On the power of friendship
There was a friend of mine who had a laptop. He saw that I wanted to make rhythms, so he took his laptop to school every day because I used his computer to create beats. He was also part of the process that helped me learn about computers.
On paving his path to success
Since I didn’t have the money and the equipment was very expensive, I had to work because my family couldn’t buy it. I am one of four siblings. So it was unrealistic that they were going to buy me my equipment. My brother also wanted to be an athlete, and my little sister wanted something else, so it wasn’t possible. I had to work as a child at school. I would record little by little, and I would have my things. I would record for some classmates at school who liked to rap and so on. I was also a bag boy at the supermarket. I worked as a mechanic’s assistant, washed cars too, and ran errands for neighbors to the store and supermarkets – all to collect what little I could and save for my vision. I was motivated to be able to make music. I remember that I bought my first computer, a used one, which cost me $250. But after two days, the laptop started to blow out smoke, and it burnt.
On his will to keep going
I worked for like six months for that. I was sad, but it motivated me even more because I felt that these were things that had to happen to me to at least learn a lesson. I was able to buy another computer with my mom’s help.
On this year’s pending projects
I have a lot of projects in the works right now. There’s follow up to “THE BOY AND THE MOON” album coming. I have a couple of songs there. There’s also an album by a guy who’s also with Sony Music, and his name is Denton. I’m working towards everything I really wanted and how I have wanted to sound since I started. As my sound has evolved, I realize the great strides I’ve made. For example, I’ve not only worked with Denton but also grown with him. Aside from him, I’ve also been given the opportunity to work with other artists. Little by little, I see I am collaborating more with people from Europe, Canada and Asia and working on more international music. I would like that. I’m doing it anyway.
