Today we’d like to introduce you to Chuck None.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chuck. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I guess technically my story begins in high school. It’s when I first started writing music! I was very much influenced by the bands I listened to at the time and decided to start a band of my own. All throughout high school (and even a for a couple of years after) I had written most of the music in the bands I performed in and even had a couple of solo projects for a while that I had just recorded all instruments on my own. Fast forward to 2011, I was introduced to electronic music and started going to any clubs and parties I could find that were playing it.
Having been a performer for a while in other musical avenues, I became interested in learning how to mix music. I picked up some inexpensive gear and software and began to teach myself basic beat matching stuff and mixing in key. Practicing by myself turned into recording mixes and sending them to friends and family. Gaining support and positive feedback from them turned into streaming online. I even got hired to privately stream for a party once! Streaming online and friends/family talking to others about it eventually got me into networking, which is how I landed my first few gigs.
Once I got comfortable enough performing at small bars I started to contact bigger clubs and events. Performing at events was a lot of fun at the time, but I started to feel a void growing. The itch to make and play music of my own started sinking in, so I began the plunge into music production. This was very difficult at first (and still is at times!) but I wanted so badly to write my own music. Since then I’ve written, released, and played many of my songs and remixes live. Having also grown up playing video games, I’ve remixed songs from some of my favorite games (Especially The Legend of Zelda) Playing nostalgic and nerdy music eventually started to gain the interest from booking managers running pop culture events, video game/anime/comic conventions, after parties and festivals. Along with these booking opportunities, I continue to produce music and live stream with friends and other musicians in my private home studio to this day.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think any musician can really say they’ve had a smooth road. I’m sure I speak for thousands of musicians when I say that there are MANY struggles in being a musician. Things like finding the time to compose, promote, or practice, money to invest in gear, lessons or audio engineering, people to come to events, or help you create content like pictures or music videos. Not only that but sometimes the ideas don’t flow easily. Writer’s block is definitely a real thing. Sometimes I find myself just stopping on a half-written song and starting on something else because I can’t think of how to finish a track. It goes without saying that it takes a lot of discipline sometimes to keep up with everything.
On top of that, many many many musicians have to do a lot of this all on their own, too. Sometimes it’s hard to think of all the hours of effort that go into a craft like this and wanting to keep it up even in times when progress is slow, but with enough passion and dedication to a dream, it can all be worth it. This is what keeps me going. My love for the music and for the experience.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I make music and perform, but naming what I specialize in would be a tough task. I have so many influences and love playing so many different styles of music that I think it would be easier to say what style I’m going to cover for a specific night. Although I play multiple sub-genres of electronic music, I’d say the things that I’m more known for would be sprinkling in bits and pieces of pop culture, and video games in my performances like Star Wars, or themes from my favorite Nintendo games. I’d say the thing I’m proud of is also what makes me feel that I stand out a little from others. That thing would be interaction with my following. Whether it be online or in the audience at events. I love being able to tell people that I have an audience of friends instead of followers. Maybe I just haven’t formally met some of them yet.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like it both is a good place to start out and a bad place as well. Los Angeles is definitely a good place to be in terms of opportunity. Almost any opportunity you can think of is most likely gonna be found here. On the other hand, LA is extremely saturated with others who are also trying to perform on the same stages. This can definitely make things harder, but what’s important is to stay focused on your own craft, on your own brand, and always be improving, because comparing yourself to others will only keep you from being productive. If you are willing to work hard, I would recommend being here to get your start.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/chucknone
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/chucknone
- Facebook: facebook.com/chucknone
- Twitter: twitter.com/chucknone
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ybA7xujgu5CM8a1kCNAGL
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