Starting out in the music industry isn’t easy — and Aaron Pride, a fisheries and wildlife freshman, can back that statement up.
Pride, who started as a member of his high school’s choir, has been making appearances at local gigs including opening for the band, Less Is More, at Mac’s Bar in Lansing.
Currently, the indie-folk artist is in the process of creating an album comprised of songs he has written.
Pride sat down with The State News to discuss why he picked his non-musical major and what artists influence him the most in music.
The State News: How did you become involved in music?
Aaron Pride: I was in choir all through elementary school and high school. Then I performed in a talent show through the choir my junior year of high school playing a song called “Criminals” by The Tallest Man On Earth. That summer I got my first actual gig at the Old Town General Store. The following summer, I got more gigs around town.
SN: Why did you pick fisheries and wildlife as a major when you have a passion for music? What do you want to do after you graduate?
AP: I’ve always been into the outdoors. I grew up fishing and hiking. That’s my main interest other than music, is fishing. I don’t know what I want to do (after graduation) so I’m going to look up jobs. I might end up changing because of that. I don’t really know.
SN: What is your favorite part about music? What about performing?
AP: Being able to tell stories through the songs and with covers, feeling the emotions from other peoples’ stories. Relating to the songs. (With performing,) the connection to the audience is always fun. It was a process learning how to perform. Now, once you get over a hump, it’s just fun. I used to get nervous and now it’s just natural.
SN: Who would you say some of your influences are?
AP: Definitely The Avett Brothers and The Tallest Man On Earth, Father John Misty, as far as newer people go. Also, I’ve been listening to a lot of blues stuff lately. Just really old traditional folk songs are good inspiration, too.
SN: What are your music goals? Where do you hope it takes you?
AP: If I could get more well-known around the state and be able to tour around the state or even the midwest, that would be awesome. As for right now, I’m working on a new album (it does not have a name yet) and hopefully get a release show for that later down the line. I haven’t started recording it yet but the songs are basically all written, more or less.
SN: What is the recording process like for you?
AP: Basically, just start getting in the studio, laying down the main tracks. Just like my main vocals and guitar. Then it’s a long process of getting the overdubs, like electric guitar. You have to listen to it over and over. That’s kind of the funnest part, I think ... the creative process. You can add different instruments and different sounds to it to make it its own thing.
SN: How has music changed or shaped your life?
AP: It’s become my main passion over the last couple years. It’s hard to focus on school sometimes. I had an exam today and during it I was thinking about emailing people about different gigs I have coming up. It’s given me something to really focus on when I have free time. It’s a lot of different goals through it, like the album and getting your name out there. It’s a fun thing, especially trying to balance it with school. It can be tricky but I think it’s worth the extra effort. There’s a lot of self-doubt with it sometimes, but every little thing helps me.
