As I see it, music production is the art of preserving a musical idea in the form of a record, and a music producer’s job can be anything in the creative process of publishing a record. A producer can have many roles, from songwriter or instrumentalist to a mix or recording engineer, but what I think determines one’s role as a music producer is the creative control they have in the making of a record. I feel like the workflow of how a record is made distinguishes music producers from each other in a big way, especially with the freedom modern music technology provides.

I always start a new track by working on its most unique compositional aspect, which usually sparks the idea in the first place. From that point onwards, my workflow is entirely discernible. Many times, I am not thinking at all, and everything clicks. I might go from mixing to composing additional elements without having an end goal. The hardest thing for me to do while producing is letting go of a song; knowing when to stop. I think that’s what makes or breaks a producer.

In conclusion, I think my job as a music producer is to materialize ideas, capture the essence of myself as an artist, and prevent myself from falling prey to the stereotypical self-indulgence of the average musician. My job as a music producer is to Rick-Rubin myself into making bold creative choices and learn from those who came before me.