Conversations with Blake Straus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Straus.

Hi Blake, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a producer and songwriter, initially coming from the session and live space. After getting out of Jazz school, I got thrown into the world of being a session musician and “hired gun” for larger artists. I toured the world and was grateful to do it. That being said, I always wanted to create. I learned how to produce in the back of tour buses and eventually made the conscious decision to focus all my energy into producing full time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like every other dream worth chasing, we all run into our own unique challenges. My hurdles always consisted of solidifying myself as a producer when the rest of the world sees me as a “session musician”. As appreciative as I am to work in either capacity, it is my calling to be a musical creative rather than musical technician. Once people see you in one lane, it can be tasking to change their minds of your capabilities.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a multi-instrumentalist producer and songwriter, existing primarily in the worlds of r&b, hiphop, pop, etc. I’ve lived former lives as a touring musician, composer, string arranger, musical director, etc.

I’m infinitely proud to do what I love for a living, alongside like-minded people I respect and admire. To have a certainty of your calling is truly a gift, and for that I’m forever grateful.

If there is anything that I can uniquely contribute to the otherwise oversaturated space of LA-based music producers, it is my overbearing music theory nerdiness, sound design capabilities, and session musician chops into the production space. Most of my favorite producer collaborators don’t share the same formal music theory-based background, which makes for great collaboration when I can assist in that matter.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have most certainly been the benefactor of both good and bad luck, as well as fortune.

My silly belief is that luck is blind and that fortune is being prepared when opportunity presents itself. The bad luck that we experience teaches us the lessons that prepare us for finding fortune. For this reason, I practice gratitude for whatever luck comes my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: blakestraus.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/blakestraus
• Twitter: twitter.com/blakestraus

Image Credits:
Matt Parson