I really enjoyed "Changes"! What was your favorite part about creating this song?
Ozie: My favorite part of creating "Changes'' was the creative freedom and the liberty I set up for myself; there was absolutely no restricting the creative process or putting myself in a box. In the past I had set myself up to fit a mold, a style, or genre. This was just me pushing myself to produce a track from the heart. It was in the middle of the Covid lockdowns, so I had to get creative with the vocal section. I wrote the track first so the music speaks for itself. But to answer your question, my favorite part about creating this song was the sound design. My mind thinks in a very musical-Industrial-layering way but I delivered that in a more Pop structure.
You were first exposed to music by learning about bands like AC/DC being "Devil music" in church. How old were you at the time and what was your first thought about that teaching?
Ozie: Oh that memory is one of my most memorable! ::laughs:: I want to say I was about 9 years old. I was brought up in a bubble so all I was allowed to listen to was Christian music and Christmas carols… So hearing that haunting church bell on “Hell’s Bells” intro, the melody on that guitar riff and then that steady bass did it for me! I was hooked. I soon later got a hold of a Metallica’s Black album and a Slayer record. ::laughs:: I went in deep.. But those are my musical roots. Today I love everything. Especially electronic music, I’m a huge Nine Inch Nails fan but also grew up on Tiesto. Beautiful Things by Tiesto Feat. Andain is still one of my all time favorite dance songs.
*You've been producing, DJing, and working on projects for other artists under different aliases throughout the years. How do you feel these combined experiences have made you a better artist?
Ozie: Well it's definitely been a long hard road I got to say… ::sighs:: It’s given me a broad perpective and an insight into the music world from a different angle. You have a kid who grew up strictly on Christian music, dive into the metal rock world to end up spinning nothing but top 40’s hip hop and dance music. Overall I've gotten to experience many different music scenes, collabortated with different types of musicians of all walks of life. The best part has been to grow musically and creativly not having any boundries. In my opinion, a true artist has no restrictions with what colors he paints with and just creates. For me the magic didn’t start happening till I started to let go. Just create.
What is your favorite memory of working in the Black Metal/Industrial scene in Los Angeles?
Ozie: Oh boy, this question! The time I convinced a local venue to let me throw a mini festival because I was tired of the “pay to play’ on the Sunset Strip idea... So I got several bands together, local artists, pole dancers and live bondage performers with local Dj’s and a photo booth. I had two stages and the opportunity to headline and showcase my band at the time. It featured some of the most experimental crossover metal bands with electronic elements here in L.A.. We covered everything from Industrial metal, Symphonic metal, Goth rock to just noise. It was definitely a fun night and one that I’ll always remember.
What is the best part about working in the electronic music scene now?
Ozie: The best part for me is that I can do it alone or collaborate with different artists without the restriction of dealing with the band aspect. Don’t get me wrong I love playing in a band setting. I’m just at a point in my life and level where I can be more creative in so many ways on my own. I love sound design, synths and being able to layer sounds and melodies. Somewhat like a classical composition but with electronic music elements. I love how you can mix different genres together and crossover in different worlds. I also love the light shows and the amazing people I’ve met. Love and Light is how I would describe it.
What advice can you give to artists who are trying to find their artistic voice?
Ozie: To answer your question you just have to go for it! Don’t hold back, stay true to yourself, create from the heart, set your soul loose and let your spirit shine. Don’t try to be someone else. Be you.
Interviewed By Tessa Brainard
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