Interviews

Ab the Audicrat – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

By Liam Sweeny on March 27, 2025

Ab the Audicrat – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

AB: Looking back, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I started recording music, but I believe my first few songs were created when I was about 13 years old, during my freshman year of high school. I would visit a friend’s house, where we recorded using karaoke machines and some very basic equipment. With a few inexpensive keyboards, some homemade beats, and a low-quality microphone, we did what we could with the resources available.

Fast forward over 25 years, and the difference between those early recordings and my latest work is truly remarkable. Through years of experimentation, upgrading equipment, and countless hours spent watching tutorials and refining my skills, everything has come together in a way I never could have imagined. From the quality of the mix to the song structure and overall production value, I’m incredibly proud of how far my music has come.

RRX: Let’s talk about your next project, your next few. Just not the ones you’re working on now. The ones you have your eyes on for the future. What’s coming to us?

AB: My approach to music projects has evolved considerably in recent years. I’ve found that releasing singles has proven to be the most effective strategy. With listeners’ attention spans becoming increasingly limited, dedicating significant time and resources to a full album can be challenging and may not always achieve the desired impact. Instead, I’ve adopted a strategy of releasing multiple singles that eventually form a cohesive album. While this method may seem unconventional, I believe it is the most effective approach in today’s dynamic music landscape.

Currently, I’m developing several instrumental project ideas and working on an album with Xkwisit. The Xkwisit album will primarily feature previously released singles, supplemented by a few new, unreleased tracks to complete the project. In addition to these endeavors, I’m creating YouTube content that will include instructional videos, beat snippets, and potentially a podcast. I also have upcoming singles featuring Xkwisit, Mista Pigz, and Shyste Chronkyte that are nearing completion and will be released soon.

RRX: Tell me about your most recent song, album, or video (you pick.) Tell me a story about what went into making it. Not a process, but a cool story that took place within the process.

AB: My most recent production features Xkwisit and Albany Lou. The beat was built around a guitar sample created by a friend of mine. Interestingly, this track almost ended up on the back burner—I had initially planned to revisit it at a later date. However, when Xkwisit heard the beat, he was immediately inspired to write to it. Recognizing that the track would complement Albany Lou’s style perfectly, we reached out to him, and he recorded his verse alongside Xkwisit. I later handled the mixing and mastering to complete the project.

While the song itself doesn’t have an especially unique backstory, its production process led to some significant breakthroughs in my mixing techniques. Specifically, I discovered new methods for EQing and compressing low-end frequencies, which greatly enhanced the overall clarity and punch of the track. These new techniques have already had a transformative impact on my mixing approach moving forward.

RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Without spilling secrets, do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?

AB: That’s a complex challenge to address. Moving forward, I plan to implement a new release strategy designed to improve both reach and engagement. This strategy involves collaborating with a network of DJs and media outlets to distribute my music, ensuring that each release is accompanied by thoughtfully designed artwork and a well-prepared press kit. Additionally, I aim to incorporate a music video with each release to enhance visual storytelling and audience connection.

While this approach requires significant time and effort, I recognize the importance of maintaining consistency in my content output. Regularly posting long-form content on YouTube will complement this strategy and help establish a stronger presence. Ultimately, success will come down to consistent execution and strategic planning.

RRX: What do you think is the most poorly understood thing about music, or the music you play?

AB: In recent years, I’ve made a conscious effort to view my work from the perspective of the consumer—a mindset that wasn’t always part of my creative process. Traditionally, I created music for myself, with little regard for audience expectations. If listeners happened to connect with my work, that was a welcomed bonus. As an artist who constantly critiques both my own music and the industry as a whole, this approach is quite different from that of the typical consumer. Most people aren’t aware of the complexities that take place behind the scenes, nor should they be; their role is simply to listen, watch, and decide whether they enjoy the final product. Historically, how that product is created becomes secondary to the experience it delivers.

However, this perspective has shifted dramatically with the rise of content creation, which is now seemingly endless in 2025. Artists can now invite audiences into their creative journey, offering a deeper understanding of their process in ways that were far less accessible just a decade ago. Those who effectively showcase their craft and demonstrate the effort behind their artistry are the ones who truly stand out. While I’ve begun embracing this approach to some extent, I’m committed to elevating my content strategy even further in 2025 to better connect with my audience.

RRX: A band is a business. A business of love, but you got to work for it. Let’s pretend, instead of a band, you owned a business. What would it be, and why would it be good?

AB: I spent over 15 years working in the restaurant industry, and if I weren’t focused on content creation, owning my own restaurant would undoubtedly be my chosen path. In addition to my creative pursuits, I have a secondary artistic endeavor titled “I Miss Beer,” where I review non-alcoholic (NA) beers. This project is especially meaningful to me, as I will celebrate seven years of sobriety this November. Sharing my passion for the growing variety of exceptional NA beer options has become an important mission — both for those seeking sobriety and for individuals who simply want to incorporate NA beers into their social outings.

During my time working in craft beer bars in both Albany and New York City, I gained valuable experience in curating exceptional beer selections. The opportunity to one day operate a restaurant that features not only a well-crafted beer list but also an impressive NA beer selection is something I would find incredibly rewarding.

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4NVjIjAWxBpz1asm7P8Vsg?si=F9kagUtfTcK6SYGEHpDRqg

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ab-the-audicrat/1487396927

YouTube Music:

https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCaDRuPe8qHaebrXd3cf6ANA

Bandcamp:

https://abtheaudicrat.bandcamp.com/

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.ca/artists/B07WCMTGJ6/ab-the-audicrat

Tidal:

https://tidal.com/browse/artist/33077037