In the Spotlight: Music Producer in the UK ‘Pino’

My interview with ‘Pino Producer’ – iStandard Beast of the Beats VIII Finalist, CEO of SoundScope Music, aspiring music producer.

1. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview Pino Producer. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do…

Hi Ruth, It’s my pleasure. My name is Anthony Phillip, aka ‘Pino’. I’m a music producer/musician from London.

2. When did you start making your music?

I’ve been producing properly for about 2 years. I used to play around with music software here and there before that, but nothing serious. I learnt to play the piano from a young age so my passion for music started from there. So I guess it was a natural transition into music production.

3. How did it feel when you first started doing your own thing?

It was really exciting. I was 27 at the time, so I started quite late. I was at a point in my life where I was really unhappy because I hated my 9-5 finance job, and I knew I couldn’t do that for the rest of my life. So pursuing my passion to become a music producer was very fulfilling, and it gave me a newly found motivation and drive I had been lacking up to that point.

4. Do you see yourself as creative artist as well a ‘business’?

I do now, but not in the beginning. I’m naturally much more of a creative person than I am a business man, so when I first started all I wanted to do was make beats. Even though I still spend most of my time making music, I now also focus on things like marketing/branding etc in order to help push my music/business further.

5. What has been the biggest challenge with managing the ‘administration’ side of the work you do?

Finding a balance between making music and getting all of the admin done. All I want to do is sit in the studio and make tracks all day, so it’s very frustrating when I have to stop and do the admin side of things.

6. What was your biggest fear about running as a limited company?

Just in general, the idea of running my own company was quite scary. Things like, not making enough money, and not being able to manage the business side of things played on my mind in the beginning. I know a lot of people who have started a company and then have had to close it down a few months later. I was worried I would end up doing the same.

7. Can you give one recommendation for staying creative?

Me personally, I like going on late night walks lol. I know that sounds kind of cheesy, but it really works for me. I’m a night owl so I’m mostly in the studio in the very early hours of the morning. When I’m lacking ideas for a track I like to go for a walk. As it’s really late, noone is out so it’s really peaceful and relaxing. When I get back into the studio afterwards I’m usually good to go!

8. What fuels you to keep going every day?

Besides a Costa mocha and countless bags of Skips (crisps)?! Just my burning desire to one day be able to quit my finance job and make music full time. Hopefully I’m not too far from that now.

9. Please take a moment to close your eyes and imagine the incredible future in front of you. What is the BIGGEST goal you would like to achieve?

To be able to make music my full time job. Not many people figure out what their true passion is in life, and so I feel truly blessed to know what mine is. After spending the last 7 years being miserable in my finance job, all I want to do is wake up everyday and be happy to go to work – anything beyond that is a bonus.

10. Where can we find and follow you online?

Twitter: twitter.com/pinoproducer

Facebook: facebook.com/pinoproducer
instagram: @pinoproducer