Navigating the Challenges of the Kaskade X SoundCloud Contest
My Journey with “Dance to the Beat”
Participating in writing contests is always an exciting endeavor. And recently I was even able to participate in a music contest with world-known KASKADE! Joining contests offers the chance to push creative boundaries, gain exposure, and potentially collaborate with well-known artists. When I decided to join the Kaskade X SoundCloud contest, I was filled with anticipation and hope. The contest promised a unique experience, allowing artists to create something new and fresh. I submitted my entry, titled “Dance to the Beat,” but the journey of creating a song I was truly happy with proved more challenging than I initially thought.
An Opportunity for Creativity and Collaboration
The Kaskade X SoundCloud contest was a fantastic opportunity for emerging and established artists to showcase their talents. The premise was simple yet thrilling: artists were given a random electronic music piece, and they must produce their own version, adding their unique touch and flavor. For many, this is an incredible chance to experiment with new sounds, styles, and techniques that they might not usually explore.
As an artist who enjoys blending genres and playing with different styles, I was eager to dive in and see where the music would take me. The excitement of potentially catching Kaskade’s attention and collaborating with him on a future project was a powerful motivator.
The Challenge of Creating “Dance to the Beat”
The reality of the contest, however, quickly became apparent. When you’re handed a random electronic music piece, only to choose between a limited sets of BPMs, the possibilities are both endless and, at times, overwhelming. I wanted to create a song that felt authentic to my style while also staying true to the contest’s spirit of innovation and creativity.
I named my entry “Dance to the Beat,” a title that encapsulates the energy and essence I wanted the track to convey. I envisioned a song that was both lively and engaging, something that would make listeners want to get up and move. However, turning that vision into a reality was more challenging than I had anticipated.
Finding the Balance Between Originality and Structure
One of the main difficulties I faced was finding the right balance between maintaining the original electronic piece’s core elements and infusing it with my personal style. The random nature of the track selection meant that the base material could range from deep house to techno to more experimental sub-genres of electronic music.
For “Dance to the Beat,” I received a piece that was heavy on the synths with a deep bass line. While these elements were great starting points, they weren’t entirely in line with my usual sound. My musical style tends to lean more towards melodic lines with a focus on lyrics and storytelling, so I had to find a way to adapt the given track without losing its initial energy and vibe.
Trial and Error
The production process was marked by a lot of trial and error. I spent countless hours in my home studio (also known as GarageBand), experimenting with different beats, layering vocals, and trying out various effects to see what would work best. There were moments when I thought I had found the right direction, only to realize that the song felt too far removed from my original idea. Other times, I would hit a wall where nothing seemed to blend well together.
I found that the key was to embrace the randomness of the process and allow myself the freedom to explore without being too attached to the outcome. I tried various tempos, altered the arrangement several times, and played around with different vocal styles. I wanted “Dance to the Beat” to have a lively rhythm that was both catchy and memorable, but achieving that while working with a randomly assigned track made it a delicate balancing act.
You can listen to my song at Soundcloud here.
Learning from the Experience
While I ultimately found it challenging to produce a song that fully met my expectations, the experience taught me a lot about flexibility in music production and how to work with unexpected elements. It reminded me that sometimes, creativity isn’t about sticking to a set plan but rather adapting to the circumstances and allowing the music to lead the way.
“Dance to the Beat” may not have turned out exactly as I had envisioned, but it was a project that pushed me to think outside of my comfort zone. It forced me to listen more closely, be more patient with the creative process, and trust that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s value in the journey itself. Listen to “Dance to the Beat” here:
A Well-Deserved Win
I also want to take a moment to congratulate Dharni for winning the contest with the incredible song, “Tears Don’t Fall.” Dharni’s ability to craft such a compelling and emotive track from the provided material is truly commendable. It’s always inspiring to see fellow artists excel, and Dharni’s win is a reminder of the diverse talent and creativity present in the music community.
Embracing Future Challenges
Despite the difficulties I faced, participating in the Kaskade X SoundCloud contest was a valuable experience. It reminded me of the importance of persistence and adaptability in the music industry. As artists, we are constantly challenged to evolve and grow, and sometimes that growth comes from stepping into the unknown and trying something completely new. And I would never had made a song like “We Need a Little Magic” if it wasn’t for the Kaskade X Soundv´cloud experience! “We Need a Little Magic” will be released at a later album, I promise 🙂
I’m proud of “Dance to the Beat” for what it represents—a moment of artistic exploration and a step forward in my musical journey. I look forward to future opportunities where I can take these lessons and apply them to new projects, continuously refining my craft and finding my unique sound in an ever-evolving musical landscape.