1. Who or what inspired you to begin making music?
I honestly don’t think there was a who or what. I started writing little songs when I was young, and I never stopped! I was able to find a class at my high school for recording technologies (music producing), and since then I’ve been able to grow with the support of my teacher, Mr. Nolan. He’s taught me pretty much everything I know, and I wouldn’t be doing this interview right now without him!
2. Mustard has observed that not all humans eat their fruits and vegetables. Could you tell us more about your song “Lemons?” What is your fruit of choice?
Lemons was written as more of a joke actually. I wrote it in the beginning of learning how to produce, which also happened to be during quarantine April 2020. As most people were, I was beyond bored and I just wanted to write a fun little song. It is about someone just being sour towards you, hence calling them a Lemon, but people seem to just really like the song because it’s easy and light! My fruit of choice has to be either strawberries or mangoes. Although, I do like most fruits 🙂
3. Oblivion is your latest single. It made Mustard feel human emotions. Was this song based on true events?
Yes, Oblivion was based off of true events. I hold that song very close to my heart because I wrote it during an extremely vulnerable part of my life. I had just went through an awful summer of losses in my family, so I was mentally very tired. Then about a month later, the person that I liked told me out of no where that they didn’t think it was a good idea to continue talking. It was really difficult for me because they also happened to be my best friend at the time, and because it was so sudden it felt almost like they passed away too. I felt the same emotions as when I had the losses in my family that summer, but instead of them actually being gone, I had to grieve a person who was still alive and who I would see at school and with other people just living their life. It was one of the lowest points in my life, because it felt like I didn’t have anyone else. I couldn’t talk to them, and I never got the chance to tell them how I felt. Needless to say, it’s a very sad song, but it means a lot to me because I’ve been able to grow from that place and see the progress I’ve made.
4. Could you describe your creative process?
I usually write songs at night when I’m by myself, or I’ll think of something in the shower. Its usually when I’m feeling vulnerable when I write my best, which is why most of my songs are pretty mellow and laid back. In the studio, I’ve learned that I love the experience of the song, what it makes you feel. To accomplish the feeling I want, I use different audio effects, I layer my vocals, or I make cuts in the song to make it more dramatic. Obviously the lyrics have an effect on the song as well, so making sure I have the lyrics exactly how I want them is very important. Sometimes when I’m in the studio the lyrics change, and I think its fun to compare what it sounded like when I first wrote it compared to the finished product.
5. Mustard grew up in Connecticut. How does your environment help influence your music?
I also grew up in Connecticut, after moving in 2011 from a different state! So all of my music experiences have happened here in CT. My environment is very important to me when I’m creating. I usually write everything in my bedroom since it’s quiet and away from everyone else. I find that I need to be alone and I need a lot of time to be able to make a song I really really love.
6. What is the advice you’ve been giving? How does this advice help with your songwriting?
Lately I’ve been giving advice like “do what makes you happy/comfortable” or “stay true to yourself”. I think sometimes when I say it to other people I’m also reminding myself to do those things. It can be really hard to think of yourself and do things for you in the world we live in right now. Everyone has a standard and people are always judging and looking at you to be the version they want you to be. Knowing that can be super exhausting especially if you try to live up to those standards, so I try my best to stay grounded and true to myself.
7. How has social media helped you as an artist?
Social media has only really benefited my music. I’ve never really had any bad experiences except for the occasional person who comments something mean, but they don’t post anything or their account is private so it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been able to get the attention of a lot of people through social media and connect with other artists. It’s also a great way to get feedback and see exactly what my audience likes and doesn’t like. And I was able to do this interview because of social media, which is really cool!
8. When did you first begin producing music?
I first began producing music in 2019. I was a sophomore in high school and I had just started the recording technologies class I talked about earlier. When we went into quarantine in March of 2020, it was really hard to continue learning, since I wasn’t able to use the same producing program at home that I was using at school and everything was remote. Once I was able to go back to school, everything just went up hill and I was able to make a few singles and my debut album, Experience.
9. Your song Melatonin makes Mustard very relaxed. Was this the intended effect?
Yes! Like I talked about earlier, I like to make the experience of the song very specific, so when I wrote Melatonin, I knew I wanted to make it very chill and relaxing. Something you could just vibe with 🙂
10. Where can readers find your music?
You can find my music on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and all other streaming platforms under Ady Rayne! You can also follow me on Instagram and TikTok @adyraynemusic for updates on performances and new releases!!
11. Do you have any upcoming works you would like to share about?
I do! I performed at a showcase in March where I sang an unreleased song of mine called Losing You. It will be coming very soon, and maybe something else…
Music Shelf With Mustard 