By Noah Bell
Theme Editor
For Costa sophomore Max Swart, music has grown from a casual hobby into a potential career.
Swart has been interested in music since 5th grade, when he started DJ’ing. Swart then began creating and producing his own music in a home studio a couple years ago. Now, he has begun to put his music online.
“When I started to DJ, I fell in love with it, but it only took a couple of years for me to realize it was not enough,” Swart said. “That is what led me to start creating my own music.”
Growing up, Swart was around many different genres of music including rock, pop and club “80”s music, which has helped to diversify his musical style. He uses his family’s love of various styles of music to expand.
“I’m influenced by four generations of music because I am the youngest in my family,” Swart said. “My upbringing has had a major impact on my music as I create a blend of the past, present and future styles.”
Many of Swart’s sources of musical experience have exposed him to new ideas for songs. Because he uses a piano and drum pad, he feels that his style of music belongs in its own category, as it does not conform to any other styles, he said. Recently, he has been interested in sound engineering and designing, which means that he makes his own sounds from scratch.
More on what a sound engineer does
“My style of music is unique because it has no borders and I make my own sounds,” Swart said. “My music has no limitations and is a sound no one has heard.”
Swart, who goes by the stage name Outerskies, says his name is a representation of the unchecked freedom one has when creating one’s own music. It exemplifies his ability to create whatever he wants, without directions or even an end goal, Swart said. Swart also gets his inspiration from listening to other artists.
“When I listen to music, I get lost in the possibilities that it can produce,” Swart said.
One of Swart’s many aspirations is to excel as a creator without losing his original purpose or motivation.
“Music is constantly changing and growing, just like we are as humans,” Swart said. “My goal as an artist is to change and grow, while still sticking true to my unique sound and vision for music.”
Swart says music is a way to be unique in his own way, by making original sounds and music. His first album, “When the World Goes Quiet,” will be released on SoundCloud in December and includes 12 origional songs that he created about his life.
“Making music helps me express who I am and shows my unique style,” Swart said. “My goal when creating music is to not be the next someone but to be the next me.”
Leave a Reply