Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Paradis.
Zach, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always have had an interest in both music and writing since I was a kid. I played drums in a band with my friends during high school, wrote songs, and was addicted to making beats on GarageBand when I could get a hold of my older sister’s iMac. After graduating high school, I decided to enroll in a community college near where I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, which had a recording arts program. It was a two-year program that taught me how to record and operate studio equipment and it eventually landed me an internship with a record label in Atlanta, called Reach Records.
I had been a fan of the music Reach put out for years, so I was pumped to go work there. I interned for three months in 2015 and then was offered a full-time audio engineering position, which I immediately accepted. During my three and a half months there, my focus was mainly technical and engineering-related, as I recorded countless sessions, helped maintain the studios, and spent hours editing audio. On the side, I kept writing my own songs and making beats, trying to grow in both hip hop and pop production. I got a few beats placed with some hip hop artists and also started releasing my own music, first an EP in 2016 and then singles in the following years. In 2019, I stepped away from Reach in order to focus more on production and my own music. I’ve been freelance since January. I make beats, record clients out of my home studio, mix, master, and do whatever other audio work I can get as I continue to pursue my own career as an artist, writer, and producer.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle at the start of this journey was leaving home honestly. I had never imagined leaving the city I grew up in, where all my friends and family were. It was harder than I expected. In Atlanta, I’ve had many incredible opportunities for my career and I’m so grateful but those opportunities did come at a cost. And then there’s the funny minefield of freelance work, where you have complete freedom but also feel completely lost and sometimes don’t remember why you stepped away from the security of a 9-to-5. I’ve really enjoyed it but it’s brought many challenges, such as finding work/life balance or the stress of wondering if you’ll make enough money this month. I also have sometimes wrestled with what work to focus on most, in a field that is quite varied. I think the most interesting struggle and/or realization has been that you literally have to make up everything as you go along. There’s no predetermined right or wrong way to accomplish your goals and that has been simultaneously intimidating and liberating.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a couple of different things, all operating in the world of music and audio. I’m an artist, creating and releasing my own music (check me out of Spotify, Apple Music, all that!). I’m also a producer and writer, helping other artists create and release their music and trying to help them shape and refine their songs and craft. I’m also an audio engineer, recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio, whether that be for music, podcasts, jingles, whatever.
With my artistry, I’m mostly known for mixing pop singer-songwriter style with hip hop production. Most of my music has a lot of pop melodic elements underpinned by harder drums and 808s. What sets me apart from others musically I think is that I am able to pair those musical elements with vulnerable and consequently relatable, honest writing. I’m aware that we as humans are all struggling and I’m not afraid to admit that. Some of the most rewarding responses I’ve received from my music comes when I have been willing to open up and show pain that we all have but usually hide.
What I’m most proud of and what sets me apart as a producer, writer, and engineer is that I can be a one-stop shop for upcoming artists. I love being able to take an artists note, voice memo, song concept, etc. and turn it into a tangible product they can upload to Spotify and share with the world. My ability to write and produce pairs well with my engineering background so that clients can create, record and release a song that used to just be an idea.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
For me specifically, it has been hard work. Having endurance when I’ve wanted to give up and ALWAYS going the extra mile. I’ve learned that if I put my time to something, I can accomplish it. Simply staying the course and getting tunnel vision for my goals has been key.
Pricing:
- Custom hip hop/pop beats for independent artists: $300
- Hourly recording rate: $30/hr
- Mix/master fee: $200/song
Contact Info:
- Phone: 216-956-4004
- Email: zachparadismusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zach.paradis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachparadismusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/z_paradis
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1W2W85bJ8lG3g409Lm6goy?si=5gvsvdAZTJm5jbQDgBKHtQ
Image Credit:
Jaylon Ashaun, Austin Gregory
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