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Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtland Webb.
Courtland, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started writing songs at 14. Just random poetry and songs I would make up. My homie Lafayette hooked me up with FL Studio when I was 16, and that’s when I started producing. Throughout high school, I went through a ton of different solo projects and styles for my music. I was mostly making electronic stuff at first, remixes and whatnot. I made some lo-fi projects once I was comfortable with my production skills enough to start working on my writing skills more. I was working on music mostly for myself and my friend Tre, sending each other stuff back and forth. My friend Ram also began his brand Badmar, which I’ve helped out in since we were in school together. My brother Cameron and his friends have been making music just as long as the Book Club. Cam D and Louie Koston’s tape 100 FREESTYLES was a big inspiration. I started to really gain insight into utilizing as many creative means as possible, from illustration, photography, styling, hip hop.
A lot of that bouncing around with different styles has informed how I make music today. I’d say that at the moment, I’m reaching a point where I’m hearing a lot of what I want out of music in general within my own music. First off, the sense of collaboration has grown. My friend Ike is a musician under the name InturnetAvatar, and we’re working on a collaborative project at the moment. There’s a lot of soul within the music and sampling. But it’s mixed in with this experimentation of styles that both of us are putting into it. I’ve also got a solo EP that’s been in the works. On that EP, I’m mixing between my singing and my rapping, being personal but also surreal. The first song is called “Same”, and it’s mostly rap, but I’ve performed it live with guitar only opening for my friend Julia G. I like that mix, and that’s where I want to see music going even further. Intersections of different styles and genres blended and blurred.
With my old projects and the ton of stuff I’ve made that hasn’t been put out over the years, I was sorting out for myself what I knew worked and what didn’t. I feel like the music I’m making recently works incredibly well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely affirming my sense of self artistically was the biggest challenge for me starting out. I feel like I’m still growing on that front. Also, getting to a point where I can creatively work upward from things I make out of the blue.
Please tell us about your work.
As an artist, I would say my specialty is writing. Being able to paint a picture with my music has been the starting point for me.
I would say people know me for my musicianship, especially as of late. And I’m most proud of my performances. I give my all when I have the opportunity to perform, and I plan on growing my live show tenfold. Choreography and set design are the priorities I’m focusing on with the next big performances I do. People should be grooving & dancing, and walk away with something they remember at the end. Houston is a great music city, so when people show love, I know it’s genuine. There’s so much to digest right now musically, from rap to indie rock and jazz. I know folks in Houston can get sideswiped by how much music there is to become apart of. I want to make my performances worth their time.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would never, ever start over or do anything differently.
Contact Info:
- Email: courtlandwebb@gmail.com
- Instagram: @courtland.ww
- Twitter: @courtlandwebb
Image Credit:
Cameron Webb, @no_conversation
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Sam
May 9, 2019 at 4:15 am
Congratulations on this! Wishing you so much success!!