When I started talking to 17 year old producer Pearl White we decided we wanted his first interview to be about the music (a task that has become increasingly rare for this particular music blogger). We wanted also to incorporated cute and existential elements given that that’s what life is all about.
PW: When I was 5 I would crank the Power Rangers Theme, When I was 10 my most favorite song was Postmortem by Slayer, and 15 was probably some Skrillex song, I was obsessed with him when i was 15.
Sampling has always been a big part of the rap game, can you tell us a little about your production methods and how you got into making music?
PW: I usually don’t sample unless someone I’m working with uses one for example my song Solitude, Steven deblat used the “Bucket Head electro tears” sample. Other wise I just use VSTS for solo songs as of now.
My inspiration for making music was watching Deadmau5‘s Ustream segments of him making music. I took huge interest and started to make simple beats here and there until i got virtually used to using Fl studio. My musical interest are all over the place, in 5th grade through 6th it was classic rock and metal, 7th through 8th was electronic like Skrillex and Daft Punk, and high school has been everything else.
How do you manage your creative blocks?
PW: My producer block is reaaally bad. Once I drop a song I probably won’t even think about making another one for a whole month, most of the songs on my cloud are all accidents that turned out well. Usually, If I force making music it will never happen – so I just wait. I will randomly open fl studio and start a melody and building up from there. It ends up being pretty good.
What do you think is the function of art in society?
PW: Art gives people an opportunity to free their mind in any way they want whether that is music, painting, dancing, anything.
What was your favorite movie when you were growing up?
PW: My favorite movie as a kid was Finding Nemo and I watched it with the Bruce McDonald’s happy meal toy every time. It had light up eyes and smelled like the Mcdonald’s hand soap.
To carry on with the sentimentality, can you name one scent with strong memories attached to it?
PW: The smell of cigarette smoke on my fathers leather jacket.
What producers in the game are you connecting with the most right now?
PW: I really admire Fifty Grand. Dude has been through a lot, he’s the inspiration for my music. I probably wouldn’t have taken music seriously it it wasn’t for the thought of him listening to my music or working with me. We’re now working on a song which should drop soon. He’s squad squad.
If you could pick a pack of any 5 animals to take a nap with, what would they be?
PW: I would take a nap with 1. Red pandas because they’re the shit, 2. puppies because who doesn’t want to do that. I have no interest in taking a nap with any other animals.
What is the most meaningful interaction you’ve had with a fan of your music?
PW: The one I will never forget was from a sweet girl named Lisa. Her mother passed away and she went into a bad depression, she said that my music has given her a sense of hope and it peels her away from bad thoughts. It meant a lot because I wasn’t shit at that time. The last time I spoke to her was last month. She’s probably my biggest fan because she used to hit me up everyday about her issues an then she’ll close the convo by telling me that my last song sent her to heaven. I miss Lisa.
