Hipster Pug is one of the most productive artists you’ll see on Drooble. He’s coming from the gaming scene and has been making music for just a year but has already produced a ton of music in a plethora of contemporary electronic genres. To join and endure the grinder that the music industry has become is not an easy job, especially for the newcomers. Here’s what Hipster Pug is all about and what keeps him inspired.

Hello! Tell the world about yourself. How did you become involved, in music?

Hello, my name is Tom, but you might know me as Hipster Pug. I’ve been making music for a year. Before that, I was experimenting with a website called Musicshake and I used Magix music maker but I never did much with it. I used to have a gaming channel on Youtube and Vidme but I wanted to try something new and then I thought maybe I can do something with music so I made some songs and uploaded them.

People were very positive about it and so it started. I’ve been making more and more music. Last December Vidme announced they were shutting down and I was not very happy with the content I made on YouTube so in January I made a big change and went from gaming to music completely. Since then I’ve been busy making new songs and trying to stay creative with every new song I make.

Introduce your current musical projects and share what makes them special for you.

At the moment I’m pretty busy as I’m working on two new EPs. One of them I do with two other musicians I met on Soundcloud because I’ve always wanted to make a collab record. What I did for that EP is I made the instrumentals and the other artists did the vocals for it. There are four tracks in total and I think it’s come out really awesome. It was amazing to work with other musicians.

The other EP I made with Akai MPK Mini. The music on it is based on the seasons and is really calm in comparison to my usual electronic sound.

There is also a new album that I’m working on and I find that really awesome to do too. In April this year, I made my first album called “Space Oddity”. I had a lot of fun making it but the new one is even more fun to do because with my debut I was pretty new to making music and haven’t yet found my own style. Now I know more what I want to achieve and I already have some really interesting songs. It’s also more personal record with a cinematic/ambient and downtempo feeling.

The first EP is hopefully coming in September or October. The second EP is scheduled for October and the album should be out in December.

How do you find the drive and inspiration to keep making music?

Like I said before, I’ve been making music for a while and what gives me inspiration is the reaction of people and the feedback I get. What I really like to do is try different genres because I don’t really like to stick with one type of music. I’ve already tried producing in many styles and that keeps me creative. I like the most downtempo, synthwave, electronic, ambient and I also love to make a bit of experimental music as well. It’s cool to see what will happen if you mix several genres together and check if that works. Most of the time you get a really surprising sound, beat or melody in your songs.

How is the music scene in your perspective? Do you feel like you belong there?

Well, popular music nowadays sounds really bad. It’s like hearing the same song over and over again with minor changes and different lyrics. There are some musicians that I follow and listen to but most of the modern music is just the same and I fell like I don’t belong there.

But then I go on sites like Drooble or Soundcloud and there are so many amazing and talented musicians that you’ve never heard of before and they have a totally new sound so I choose to listen to that music and when I buy an album in a record store most of the time it is a musician I’ve never heard before. Most of the time it’s really good music. If I’m to suggest some music I’d say go listen to Tash Sultana, Bonobo, Tycho, Windmill and Sunny Day in Glasgow. Those are some really amazing musicians.

What is your all-time favorite record and how did it change you as an artist?

That’s a really difficult question. I definitely can’t point only one album that is my favorite record of all times but there are a couple of albums that really love to listen to. Here’s a short list of records you really need to check out:

“The Jam Sessions” Kyteman Orchestra
“Flow State” Tash Sultana
“The Wall” Pink Floyd
“Gemini” Macklemore
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” The Beatles
“Black sands” Bonobo
“Music From Before the Storm” Daughter

What are your favorite software and hardware tools for music production?

I work with a Launchpad Mini and the Akai MPK Mini. I also want to integrate my Korg Volca Keys, Bass, and Beats in my production. I use Ableton Live and I really like it. After a year of using it I still learn new things with it.

What is your songwriting process like?

I work most of the time with a Launchpad Mini and samples. I’m always on the looks for new samples. I buy them and then put them together in Ableton. Then I just see what works and most of the time I would have a basic structure for the song very fast but then I have to see which sounds work the best with certain drums. Then I might add some piano stuff and when I think it all fits together I’m making a song out of it. Sometimes I might have a song ready for 30 minutes but I also have Ableton projects that are still in progress.

Do you play live and if yes which is your most memorable gig?

I haven’t yet done any live shows it’s one of my dreams to do one. I also have many ideas how to do it if I ever get the chance to play live. It doesn’t have to be big. I’d enjoy it even if it is in a bar or a small music venue. It would make me really happy.

What is your biggest musical goal?

One for sure is to do a live show. My other goals are to make more albums and get a bit more popular than I am now. I would also love to do a TV interview about my music. I’d also like to work with a lot more guest musicians be that for an album or just a song.

How has being on Drooble helped you as a musician?

Wow, yeah, Drooble is of a really big help for me. The fact I can do this interview already means a lot for me. Also talking with other musicians and hearing so much good music on this site has been great. I hope to share more of my music with all people here. To hear more of the awesome songs that people make is some (helpful) wisdom.

To everybody doing music – never give up. Sometimes it might be difficult but if you really want it you can do it.