Inspiration and Concept
"City & States" was made about 9 months ago before its release, and it's a track that has quite a story behind it. The initial melody came to me unexpectedly while I was watching a TV show. I quickly recorded it on my phone, planning to develop it later. However, I faced a major setback when my hard drive failed. It was a rough time, but thanks to a stem-splitting AI feature in my DAW, I managed to salvage the song and bring it back to life.
My goal was to create a future funk track that had the timeless quality of artists like Ellis and Osrin. Once I finished the song, it got a great response from listeners. People loved the vibe, and it made them happy, which was incredibly rewarding. Encouraged by friends, I sought out a label and ended up signing with Late Hours Record Label, marking my first signed record.
Lyrics
The lyrics tell a story of heartache and longing. They capture the emotional struggle of dealing with lies and separation, contrasting the lives of a city dweller and someone from the state.
Production Details
One of the biggest challenges I faced was a hard drive failure that nearly caused me to lose the song. However, using the stem-splitting AI feature in my DAW, I managed to bring the song back to life.
The production process involved a lot of chopping and arranging samples, which was both challenging and fun. I was heavily inspired by future funk artists like Ellis, Osrin, Axollo, and Lenno.
Visuals
Cover Art: The cover art features a vaporwave aesthetic with a faceless mannequin couple in retro formal outfits holding each other. I made them faceless to represent all couples in general, which ties in with the duet happening in the song.
Music Video: I created a visualizer video myself to complement the song, adding to the overall experience for the listeners.
Reception and Impact
The song received positive feedback, with people appreciating the vibe and feeling happy listening to it. Friends suggested I look for a label, and I ended up signing with Late Hours Record Label, which was a huge milestone for me as it was my first signed record.
Personal Reflections
I truly enjoyed the creative process, especially chopping samples and arranging them meaningfully. Making "City & States" was a labor of love, heavily influenced by future funk artists. I'm incredibly proud of this work and what it represents in my journey as a music producer.
