stayc main image

Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

Read more
stayc main image

What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

Read more
stayc main image

Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

Read more
stayc main image

Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

Read more
stayc main image

Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

Read more
stayc main image

Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

Read more
stayc main image

GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

Read more
stayc main image

Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

Read more
stayc main image

Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

Read more
stayc main image

Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

Read more
stayc main image

Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

Read more

Olivia Rodrigo's Journey: One Year Since her First Album Release

stayc main image

Photo: Olivia Rodrigo Sour Album Cover

It’s been one year since the young pop-star, Olivia Rodrigo, released her first music album “Sour”. Since her debut, Olivia Rodrigo has won 3 Grammy Awards and named Women of the Year in 2022. In two years her fame has skyrocketed, and she’s now one of the top pop singers in the decade.

She began learning music when she was in kindergarten, and began acting on TV when she became twelve. She played lead roles in Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series where she started to gain recognition before her formal music debut.

In January 2021, Olivia released her first single “Driver’s License”, which became one of the best selling singles that year. “Driver’s License” is a break-up song about a teenage girl who looks back at her memories while driving down the suburbs after getting her driver’s license. The song was believed to be a representation of Olivia’s personal love life and gained a lot of attention in the media. However, that is not the only reason for her sudden popularity. The song had very relatable prospects to the teenage demographic, and her musical talent was embedded in people’s hearts. The song currently has 380M views on YouTube, and was awarded Song of the Year by MTV Video Music Awards.

The songs in her Sour album highlight emotions from heartbreak to jealousy to self-assurance, all emotions that we face. She has explained that songwriting is how she organizes her feelings, and writing sad songs in her room is her favorite thing in the world. Now, her songs are streamed and played on many radio stations across the world.

Photo: Ben Madden (Cool Accidents)

Currently, she has been on her Sour Tour around North America and Europe. She’s just finishing her last weeks in the US and then heads to Europe for the end of her journey. She has also invited other artists like Gracie Abrams and Holly Humberstone on her tour to perform. Olivia’s been taking this opportunity to meet fans around the world and provide unforgettable experiences for them. Her growth is unpredictable and we’re excited to see where her musical journey will lead her in the future.

Olivia Rodrigo's Journey: One Year Since her First Album Releaseolivia-rodrigos-journey-one-year-since-her-first-album-releaseKeri Howard | May 27, 2022It’s been one year since the young pop-star, Olivia Rodrigo, released her first music album “Sour”. Since her debut, Olivia Rodrigo has won 3 Grammy Awards and named Women of the Year in 2022.