Former student, Jose Wills, is celebrating the release of his new EP, Pace, released on Krooks Records.
Former MMS Music Production and Audio Engineering student, Jose Wills, better known as Nymad, talks to us about the release of his new EP, work, life, and collaboration with another former MMS student…
EP Release: Pace
How long did it take you to complete the EP?
Just under two years, roughly. I started working on ideas for it right after I finished and self-released the Elision EP, which was the first time I collaborated with Jade (former MMS student Jade Parker).
Some of the earlier tracks I started for Pace were completely scrapped along the way, others didn’t make it into the EP, but I think making those decisions helped to set myself a standard.
With the support of the record label, I was then able to finalise a clear idea in my head for the five tracks making up Pace EP. I’ve learnt a great deal from start to finish. Working a full-time job at the same time can also take it’s toll, but it’s definitely worth it.
How did you get into the right headspace to produce?
Routine kind of helps in a way. I’d get in from work, eat and shower to clear my head, then beaver away at the tunes. Sometimes I’d find myself procrastinating in the end, sometimes I wasn’t feeling it, but the important thing is to always try and make the effort to chip away at it when you can.
I think it helped to always have it in the back of my mind, so sometimes I’d be stuck, then an idea or solution would pop into my head and I’d make a mental note to try it out next time I was working. I sort developed a moderate obsession with making music.
What software/hardware/instruments were you using to make the EP?
So, Macbook, Focusrite Sapphire Pro 14 soundcard, Mackie MR5 mk2 monitors, Novation Launchkey 49, Korg Minilogue synth. I use Logic X as a DAW for production and Ableton for playing Live.
Any go-to pieces of equipment or plug-ins that you can’t do without? Any techniques that are perhaps a trademark of your Nymad sound?
I always tend to use the same plug-ins: Native Instruments Battery 4 and Absynth 5, U-He Tyrell N6 soft synth, Spectrasonics Trilian for bass, FabFilter Pro-C 2 and DMG Audio Equality for EQ and compression. I use lots of Waves stuff too, like their H-Delay. I’ve also got a cherished collection of percussion instruments which I’ve accumulated over the years, I record them using a Shure SM-57. With regards to techniques, I love layering and pitching found sounds on top of beefier electronic samples to give them an organic texture.
Do you think this is inherent from maybe your roots, has Colombia helped craft who you are and your approach to making music to making music today?
Yeah, I would say so. I like to think I’m gathering all of my influences and combining them into something which is distinguishable.
Coming from Colombia is definitely a big part of my identity and heritage, but I think it’s not only Latin-America.
I’m also drawn towards all of the different sounds and instruments you hear in Africa, Europe and Asia for example. I love using mallets and plucked instruments like thumb pianos or harps, then placing them on top of an electronic backdrop. I think that approach has always been an integral idea behind my music, but more specifically to this EP.
Music Production Course
You studied our Music Production and Audio Engineering course at MMS back in 2012. How do you feel the course has helped you?
Yeah I moved to Manchester in 2012 specifically to study the course. It’s been amazing in a lot of ways. First of all, I’ve made some incredible friends though the school, relationships that not only help you move forward as a musician but also as a person.
Secondly, the gear that’s made available to you offers a great opportunity to get some proper hands on experience. For me, the course has taught me the essential techniques and knowledge needed to discover my own way of working and to develop a style I felt comfortable with. It also gave me some confidence.
Can you chat to us a bit about collaborating with Jade (former MMS student Jade Parker) on your EP? And what are your thoughts on collaboration in general?
There’s always something new to be learnt from collaborating. I’ve often discovered a little bit more about the way I like to work by discussing ideas with others and trying new things, perhaps stuff I’ve been reluctant to try in the past will work really well with someone else, and it’s about being open to those kind of experiments which makes collaborating worthwhile.
Working with Jade has always been pretty straightforward as we have really similar tastes, so we both know from the start what direction we can take when collaborating.
Your live set – is this something you’ve factored into how you make your music from the start?
Not really, I’ve worked out the live performance separately to how I’m writing or producing. I’ve had to rework it a couple of times and in a way I think the live set isn’t complete yet, because I’m always thinking of how to improve so I can offer a more engaging show.
It’s a process which I feel progresses every time I play. The important thing for me is to put everything I have into it, and really mean it. Hopefully that comes across to the audience, ultimately the goal is to make a connection.
This EP represents a different genre for you, where you happy with the way it turned out?
Yeah I was really happy with the outcome after working with Jim on The Mouse Outfit remix. I was a relentless drum&bass head for a couple of years so it was great to make something which reflected that. We’re working on some new bits as well so hopefully we can share something with you in the near future.
What are your next steps as Nymad?
So there’s going to be a second EP coming out on KROOKS in 2018. Hopefully I can make the most out it and springboard onto a bigger label, grow my fanbase and start getting booked for live gigs regularly.
The work’s only just begun.
ACCREDITATION
SEM EDUCATION PARTNER
