What’s your stage name and where are you from?
Scott D, and I’m from Sherman Oaks, CA.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
My brother’s friend (what up, Cory!) always called me Scott D during high school, and the name stuck! I think it’s because my name is Scotty, and he was just having fun with the pronunciation? He’s never given me an answer, haha.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
My college roommate and I started a group after he met a producer in a lecture. We went our separate ways creatively, but I fell in love with putting words together, and I was always a big hip-hop head to begin with. Fast forward 14 years later, and I’m still dropping jams!
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
I was inspired to create this track after going to a Khruangbin concert with my good buddy Evan. I wanted a guitar-forward track with that jazzy, psychedelic vibe. My homie Soundmason laced me with a phenomenal beat, and the words just flowed out of me.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I want to make people smile with my playful pop culture references, but I also want them to catch the political vibes and take stock of their place in the world. It’s important to be able to laugh at yourself, but also look at the bigger picture at the same time.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
I had a little trouble coming up with a chorus that suited the vibe. I combined two of my influences, Common (“I Used to Love H.E.R.”) and Beastie Boys (“Sure Shot”), to create a melodic hook that pays homage to their classic tracks.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Phonte from Little Brother. He’s always been one of my favorite emcees. His wordplay is absolutely bonkers, and he can sing like an angel as well. That would be dope!
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I want to keep creating and putting my art out there in the world. The internet has taken my music all over, and it’s been incredible to see. I never look too far ahead and try to remain present, so I’m just riding the wave.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
Live performances! I’ve performed about 15-20 times total, but I’d love to get out there more and get out of my comfort zone.
We occasionally feature artists on our Bird of Paradise Podcast for in-depth discussions. Would this be something you’re interested in exploring?
Absolutely!
Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
No.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
Any streaming platform! Here’s the Spotify link: Spotify – Scott D Track
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Give me a shout at scottyaschneider@gmail.com
