With Frank Serin having new music out now on Manual Music we catch up with him for the latest episode of 12 Questions.
1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
Hi, I’m 20 old, I’m living in Lima, Peru. I started to produce to the 16 years and like DJing since 2014
2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”
I did not grow up listening to electronic music, it was something I found on the way, I was 14 when I heard Armand Van Helden’s “You Do not Know Me” and it was something that impacted me, I fell in love with this song. After a good time listening to electronic music, I decided to live alone in Lima and to take music as something more than a hobby. Listen to “A time for us” by Nicolas Jaar made me think this is what I want to do.
3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?
The first time I open Ableton I had no idea how to use it, but I started to wonder what this DAW could do, practically the first year I just dedicate myself to learning without help, then search tutorials on youtube and start with my first productions The first comments came from my friends Chinonegro and Ed Saez who were the first to listen to my music they gave very good advice that helped me a lot, Good friends and very talented.
4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?
Normally when I start to produce something new I have to have in my head what I’m going to do but always improvise, I found difficult is that sometimes I had a good idea but when I wanted to do it, I could not finish it because there was no more creative process but over time I learned, and what I find very easy is to make sticky melodies.
5. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?
A normal day is to get up and put some soft music to start the day, it is something that gives me enough to go to my part time job, when I return home I am always with fresh ideas to start producing until 1 in the morning , When I’m not in the studio I always try to get away from the city I’m looking for nature It’s something that I love I feel at peace when I’m in a place full of trees and rivers or mountains It’s very beautiful
6. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?
I am always looking for a good music regardless of the musical genre, I like to listen to Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe, Frank Ocean, Miguel, John Legend, Lana de Rey, The Strokes and I love the music of the master Hans Zimmer
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc) piece of music you bought?
The first record I bought was one by Hector Lavoe “Comedia”, I stay with them song “El cantante”
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
Since I started to produce only I have used my laptop and headphones, I think I should equip my studio haha 🙂
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
I’ve been listening to a Mexican boy named Fec, a young producer who is doing very good music, you have to follow this guy closely.
10. Which producers consistently inspire you? And where else does your inspiration come from?
There are many on the list but would highlight Nicolas Jaar, Henry Saiz, Tale Of Us, Adriatique, Maceo Plex, DJ Koze to name a few
11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?
Practice and more practice, if you make music do it of heart and soul, the good music comes from there.
12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?
Think I would get sentimental and play this beautiful song “Your Love” by Frankie Knuckles would be very happy.
‘Beyond Flying’ is out now on Manual Music, you can purchase the release: here
