Daily Inspiration: Meet Pauline Laciste

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pauline Laciste.

Hi Pauline, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Redlands, CA, to Filipino immigrant parents. My parents got me started on piano lessons from age 5.

While I learned how to sight-read music, my grandfather (on my mother’s side) used to look over my shoulder and tell me, “Real musicians play by ear.” He would teach me Filipino (Ilocano) folk songs by playing them on his violin and asked me to accompany him on the piano by listening to the melodies on his violin and following along. We used to play these Filipino folk songs at family parties, on birthdays, and holidays. Relatives on both sides of my family would sing along in harmony. I’m grateful to stay connected to my heritage through this music,

While I learned to play classical pieces, I also played piano for the children’s church choir.
In high school I played keyboards in a punk band called Wakeup Sleepyhead.
As I developed a love for classical music by composers like Debussy, Ravel, and Stravinsky, I also fell in love with bands like Portishead, Broadcast, early Blondie, Nico of The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, and Blonde Redhead.

In college, I studied music composition at UC Santa Barbara and fell in love with Curtis Roads’ computer music class and his lessons on granular synthesis. I then went to NYU to study Music Technology with hopes of becoming a film composer or working in audio postproduction.

After college, I moved to LA and cold-called a lot of audio post studios. I worked freelance at one studio for a while. It was difficult for me to find steady work in that field. I’m grateful for my music tech studies in college since that helped me get a job as a quality assurance engineer in an audio software company.

In LA, I started off writing and performing music as a singer-songwriter and also played in a couple of bands.
At the same time, I was trying to figure out how to improve my production skills from programming beats to refining my mixes.
Taking Ableton classes from a talented artist and teacher, Side Brain, really helped me achieve that.

The first time I went to a Low-End Theory show, it blew my mind.
The sounds of Flying Lotus, Gaslamp Killer, Daedelus, and Ras G really resonated with me.
I loved the combination of Hip Hop, experimental electronic music, and the rich mix of genres.
I then started to go to shows thrown by other LA beat collectives like Beat Cinema, whose residents are also amazing producers.
The LA Beat scene has been a heavy influence on my music, as a producer and performer.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road for me as an independent artist, but it is not easy for any independent artist.
There’s a lot of juggling between the day job, family, and continuing to create art.

When the pandemic hit, my mother’s side of the family got hit hard.
We lost my grandfather to Covid. My grandmother, aunt, and uncle lived in the same house and also caught the virus early on in the pandemic. My sisters and I took some time to help our family.
It was necessary for me to put a lot of things on pause at that time to be there for my family.
I was not able to write music for a year.

After the worst of the pandemic was over, and when we had the vaccines, the world started to open up again.
I noticed even more collectives sprouting from the LA Beat scene.

When I moved from LA back to the Inland Empire to be closer to my family, wave Groove from Beat Cinema connected me with collectives in the IE. A lot of these collectives would throw live shows and include an open aux/ open mic segment at the beginning- where anyone can come up, plug in their sampler, and play their beats. I started attending these shows and would bring my SP-404 to play music that I was working on. These collectives, like Brick To Ya Face and A Love Supreme, include talented artists and producers with a welcoming, open-minded community. This encouraged me to continue showing up at their open aux, which helped me develop a sound for my solo project, Ritual Fade. Playing at the open aux segments at shows lead to invitations for me to play at shows for other amazing collectives like Palacio Palace, Organic Beat Sessions, Analog Los Angeles, and Beats Just Because, in addition to A Love Supreme, Audio Dope, and Beat Cinema. The music I played at these shows in the past year and a half developed into the album that I just released, “Vibrations of Chance.” It’s now available on all streaming platforms. It is in cassette form as well!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to experiment with sounds as a producer, synth player, and singer.
I like to mix genres, textures, and unexpected sample choices in my beats.
I try to translate a variety of emotions and feelings into sounds and melodies in each track.

In addition to producing and performing music, I’m taking sound therapy lessons with an amazing teacher based in Austin.
She’s also a Music Therapist. I’m fascinated with sound’s healing properties.
I think the stress in our modern life takes a toll on our nervous systems.
I’m excited to continue the road to becoming a Sound Therapy practitioner.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
The lesson I learned from the COVID-19 crisis is that our time here is limited.
Do whatever you’ve been dreaming to do. Now.
Every little step you take towards your dream count- mistakes and all.
It’s all about Community, Family -even chosen family is everything.
Show up for the people you love.
We’re here to help each other.
When things don’t work out the way you hoped, reframe the situation, and you’ll find a way through.
Maximize the full value of your time. Make space for the things that matter most to you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ritualfade.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritualfade/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQnYP_Yu0OY
• Link to Album: https://ritualfademusic.bandcamp.com/album/vibrations-of-chance

Image Credits
Joanne Toruno
Tara Aguamala