Intro: New lofi Label Compilation Release: MYR & Friends vol.1
How did we go and create this lofi Label Compilation Release? The idea came naturally, as I’ve been discovering the Lofi community back in early 2021 which makes it almost 2 years ago when I’m writing this. The lofi community, if you didn’t know, is the nicest, sweetest, and most helpful one in the world. We just love each other. It’s genuine and yeah it’s really friendly. We just want the best for all of us. Since I made a lot of friends along the way, like Kristofer Eikrem and his side project Eiki, or Picture Talk a native French dude like me, or my good old mate, Groovetide. I mean I could go on like this forever as the list is really long. We help each other, we support each other.
A Dream coming true, our very own lofi Label Compilation Release
We’re a family. So as I’ve been in contact with so many kind people throughout the journey, writing this community blog but also on Instagram and on TikTok. I decided to create a label out of this lofi hiphop and bedroom pop blog, and this will be the very first compilation, coming out of our label. This is MYR & Friends vol.1, a new lofi Compilation Release.
Let’s hear the story of all the artists featured in this amazing lofi Label Compilation Release.
<3
What style of lofi we imagined on this lofi Label Compilation Release
- Dusty lofi, jazzy feeling, for this lofi hip-hop lofi Label Compilation Release, we really wanted to capture the dusty old-school jazzy type of lofi. The roots of the lofi movement. Jazzy vibes and chill compositions. Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without MYR’s friends, a special shout-out to:
- Kristoffer Eikrem aka “Eiki” + his friend Espen Bjarnar on the compilation
- Picture Talk
- Otysee
- Lo-Fi Riderz
- YJKL
- Groovetide
What makes this lofi Label Compilation Release unique and meaningful
After joining the lofi hip-hop community back in early 2021, I met a lot of people along the way. To me, it was just a matter of time, before I would ask some of my homies, some of the people I’ve been following since their debut and followed carefully on Instagram. If they’ll be down to collab, and create a unique and chill lofi Label Compilation Release together. One made by homies for the homies.
Best thing about making a new mix and a new lofi Label Compilation Release
Of course, this is also the very first lofi Label Compilation Release ever made for Widen Island. This is like making history NOW. Sure there are a lot of labels coming up and already established in the lofi music. However, there is room for more, there is potential for more music and music promotion to existing. So this is about believing, believing in ourselves and the other lofi producers out there.
Interview: Picture Talk
How did you get started with Lofi Music?
I played music for 15 years now. In fact, I’m a metalcore bassist. I play bass and do composition and music production work for nearly 10 years now.
Playing in a band is such a cool experience (I still perform with my band « the ghost I see ») but you have to fit everyone scheduled to play shows, do rehearsals, etc…
I got a bit tired of waiting for people so I started making instrumental music in 2015. At first, it was more like a cinematic, piano thing. I fall in love with lofi in 2019 after a trip to Japan (forever thankful to Ichiban Japan for giving me the love for this country and for using lofi music in his videos) and basically started from there even if my first « lofi beat » dropped in 2020.
Who are your three favorite lofi artists?
This may sound classic but those who made me fall in love with the lofi hip hop is: Saib, Pandrezz, and Idealism (even if I must confess, my lofi style is very different from theirs)
What is your favorite Paid VST and FREE VST? Why?
I’m a huge fan of the « Valhalla vintage verb » and I really recommend it (this is what builds my « signature » guitar tone)
I also love to use some native instrument-free tools in my lofi beats!
What is the best piece of gear that you own? The one that you will pass on to your grandchildren ^_^
This would be one of my bass: my Ernie ball stingray, what a piece of art! What a shame I put midi bass most of the time in my lofi hip hop productions Luckily, I use it a lot with my band so it’s fine ^_^
What do you think about sampling, and do you use this process at all, in your productions? If not, why?
First of all, I’m not an SP404 user so making music means building from scratch to me. I mean, I have no problem using this dope tool tho. I see tons of awesome artists using it of course!
However, I am in war versus those who use a drum sample over a melody sample without doing anything and pretending they are lofi artists (you know those 14-18 lofi kids). I believe you have to shape your sound, work hard on the samples you choose.
In my case, creativity is above all (especially in this style where most beat makers are doing it for the money), so I try to make most of my beats 100% alone with fresh elements but when I find a good loop I have no problem to build over it. Also just wanted to say that sending a wav sample to an artist is not a collab 😂
Which other lofi Label Compilation Release have you released and how was your experience so far?
I try to experience them all, and I’ve seen it all lol, epic support and no support/communication.
What do you think it takes to be a good label and create a great lofi Label Compilation Release nowadays?
I think a good label in 2022 is a supportive label, with active lists (damn I see new labels with no personal Spotify or apple playlists using dashgo, pretending that it’s supported), good communication, and honest billing (from split pay to accounting).
Artwork. Let’s talk about artwork, do you like to do it yourself or do you prefer to pay someone else? In such a case how do you proceed?
I usually do them myself and send them to labels when it’s not an indie release but honestly, I’m okay when the label does it too, in order to suit their artistic direction (like chill beats or blndr).
Pitching song to Spotify Editorial Playlist, any tip?
(Explain if you did make it on an editorial, if so which one was it, and do you remember what you wrote in the pitching a song part?) otherwise, tell us anyway about your experience with it 😉
Honestly never got much luck here (3 editorials for 90 releases lol), mostly because I was pitching the wrong way : 3-7 days before, shit pitch, etc..
Now I try to keep the 14days window, upload songs ASAP on the distro and describe the song the better I can.
Interview: Otysee
How did you get started with Lofi Music?
I discovered Lofi via an Instagram post. I forgot the artist, but I clearly remember the sound. That beat was so mesmerizing that I had to check it out on Spotify — where I discovered all these wonderful artists and their creations.
Being a musician myself, I was hooked instantly and started to work on my own beats. It helped a lot that I once also was a drummer in a band. It took me a while to grasp the concept, especially as I was not working with samples but recording my own music.
The mindset of treating my recorded tracks like samples took a while to set in.
Who are your three favorite lofi artists?
I don’t think it is fair to name three artists. The fact is, there are so many wonderful and highly creative artists out there, and most of them deserve a much bigger audience.
What is your favorite Paid VST and FREE VST? Why?
I am a big fan of RC20, simply because it allows me to play with sounds and experiment. This allows me to listen to my music in various ways and discover the inherent vibes within.
a free VST I really love is Labs from spitfire audio. It is amazing what they share for free. Here I would like to say a big thank you to all those wonderful people at Spitfire Audio for all the love. THANK YOU, GUYS.
What is the best piece of gear that you own? The one that you will pass on to your grandchildren ^_^
My PRS Guitar Custom 24 — I was lucky to get it years ago from a musician who sold off his gear. It has been with me all the years. I have had Love affairs with many other guitars, but I keep going back to this one. Just holding it in my hands makes me wanna play and play.
BB King named his guitar Lucille. I did not go that far, but I am pretty close to it.
What do you think about sampling, and do you use this process at all, in your productions? If not, why?
I always start with a song in my mind. The music just comes to me, sometimes even in my dreams.
So creating music is for me the process of translating the vibes in my mind into reality. Samples are therefore useless, as I know exactly what I need. So that is why I record everything myself. Then I treat these tracks like samples.
Which other lofi Label Compilation Release have you released and how was your experience so far?
I have not released my music on any label so far as an individual artist so far, just some collabs. So my experience is rather limited.
Artwork. Let’s talk about artwork, do you like to do it yourself or do you prefer to pay someone else? In such a case how do you proceed?
I love to make my own artwork. Having said so, I am still experimenting with various styles.
I draw, use photos, blend them — anything that feels good.
Frankly, I probably should get some professionals to do it for me, but it is so much fun to make it myself. It is part of launching a song … and I love that process.
Pitching song to Spotify Editorial Playlist, any tip?
(Explain if you did make it on an editorial, if so which one was it, and do you remember what you wrote in the pitching a song part?) otherwise, tell us anyway about your experience with it 😉
Sadly I never have been selected for an editorial playlist. But the day will surely come. Then I will be able to share my experience with Widen Island.
Interview: Lo-Fi Riderz
How did you get started with Lofi Music?
I’ve started producing and releasing lo-fi music in 2020 before the first covid lockdown. I took guitar and flute lessons as a kid but didn’t make music for almost 20 years after that. I started producing for real in 2020 shortly before the first covid lockdown. now I’ve been making music for two years and release a new song every week or two.
Who are your three favorite lofi artists?
wun two, l.dre and mondo loops,
I am very open-minded and like to listen to new artists to get inspired by them and to be able to take over influences for my productions
What is your favorite Paid VST and FREE VST? Why?
There’s no favorite VST, however, for my first productions I worked with bandlab and today I mostly use fl studio as a DAW. But I always try to test new VSTs to find the perfect one;-)
What is the best piece of gear that you own? The one that you will pass on to your grandchildren ^_^
As a child, I had a guitar and a flute and that’s how I learned to make music;-)
If I were to answer straight I would say: My MPC – a timeless gear, perfect for my grandchildren 😉
What do you think about sampling, and do you use this process at all, in your productions? If not, why?
I love sampling and the process of mixing something existing with something new excites me. For this reason, almost all my productions contain some samples.
Which other lofi Label Compilation Release have you released and how was your experience so far?
I try to experience them all, and I’ve seen it all lol, epic support and no support/communication.
What do you think it takes to be a good label and make an amazing lofi Label Compilation Release nowadays?
Genre Lofi was the only one so far and the next one will be Chill Moon in January. no comment about genre lofi;-) A good label has to support me in distribution and promotion. But there are many labels with primary financial priorities.
Artwork. Let’s talk about artwork, do you like to do it yourself or do you prefer to pay someone else? In such a case how do you proceed?
Some artworks are done by myself but not all. At the moment I love to create my artwork with dall-e-2
Pitching song to Spotify Editorial Playlist, any tip?
(Explain if you did make it on an editorial, if so which one was it, and do you remember what you wrote in the pitching a song part?) otherwise, tell us anyway about your experience with it 😉
Yes I’ve got placements on the editorial Spotify Playlist: lofi sleep, lofi cafe, chillhop and the instrumental beats playlist. Funnily enough, I didn’t submit any text at all for two pitches. Therefore, I have the feeling that I was just a lucky punch 😉
Interview: Groovetide
How did you get started with Lofi Music?
I first started producing lofi music around 1-2 years ago and started taking it more seriously around a year ago.
I have always loved creating loops with my guitar and when I found lofi music. Moreover, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to try creating. What I really love is the mellow vibes the music has and thought it fits right in with my style of guitar playing.
Who are your three favorite lofi artists?
I think my three favorite loft artists are Laffey, mell-ø, and Blue Wednesday. I love the melodies and the vibe of the tracks they create. They have a nostalgic and mellow laid-back feeling to them. For me, I really like lofi that has a good melody with textured woody-sounding drums. There are a lot of other artists that I love as well but these three stand out to me.
What is your favorite Paid VST and FREE VST? Why?
My favorite free VST is probably Labs by Spitfire Audio. It has so many different instruments that sound really good in my opinion. As far as paid VSTs I recently have started using the Soundtoys bundle a lot. They have simple controls and can create great sounds. My go-to delay plugin is Echo boy from Soundtoys. I also use the stock Ableton plugins a lot and think those are great.
I also love to use some native instrument-free tools in my lofi beats!
What is the best piece of gear that you own? The one that you will pass on to your grandchildren ^_^
My favorite piece of gear I own is definitely my Gibson SG guitar. I have multiple guitars but this one is definitely my favorite of them. It plays super well and sounds amazing. I’ve had it for a few years now and don’t plan on ever getting rid of it. I think if you have an instrument that you really like and feel great playing it inspires you to create better music.
What do you think about sampling, and do you use this process at all, in your productions? If not, why?
I think sampling is cool if you put your own spin on the sample and make it sound unique. I don’t use melodic samples too often in my music but I did for “Sunny Days’. This is actually the first song I am releasing that uses a melodic sample. The guitar is my main instrument so most of the time I will start a song using an original idea I come up with on the guitar.
Which other lofi Label Compilation Release have you released and how was your experience so far?
I’ve released some other labels such as Etymology, Kindbrew, Chill Moon, and a few others. Some labels have given more support and streams than others but overall I’ve had all good experiences.
What do you think it takes to be a good lofi Label Compilation Release nowadays?
I think for a label to be good it should be supporting the artists they are working with by promoting the music to as many listeners as it can.
Pitching song to Spotify Editorial Playlist, any tips?
(Explain if you did make it on an editorial, if so which one was it, and do you remember what you wrote in the pitching a song part?) otherwise, tell us anyway about your experience with it 😉
If I am releasing music independently then I will create the artwork or use a photo that I have taken and edited. Releasing with a label then I will let them know an idea I have for art and let their visual artists come up with something. The artwork for a track should capture the mood I’m trying to portray with the music.
Interview: Eiki (Kristoffer Eikrem)
How did you get started with Lofi Music?
I’ve always been into jazz, and later into electronic music and instrumental hip hop. Lofi beats seem to me like the perfect match for these genres/styles.
Who are your three favorite lofi artists?
There are sooo many talented artists out there, so it’s really impossible to only name 3.
What is your favorite Paid VST and FREE VST? Why?
Paid: Sculptor from Izotope (Neutron) and Vulf Compressor by Goodhertz.
Free: Labs by Spitfire Audio perhaps.
What is the best piece of gear that you own? The one that you will pass on to your grandchildren ^_^
That must be my 1947 Martin Committee trumpet.
What do you think about sampling, and do you use this process at all, in your productions? If not, why?
No comment 🙂
Artwork. Let’s talk about artwork, do you like to do it yourself or do you prefer to pay someone else? In such a case how do you proceed?
I always have someone else doing the artwork. I have a few regular designers I tend to use, depending on the release and label, but if I need to find someone new I do research online and reach out to the artist I think will fit my style and needs.
Pitching song to Spotify Editorial Playlist, any tip?
(Explain if you did make it on an editorial, if so which one was it, and do you remember what you wrote in the pitching a song part?) If then tell us anyway about your experience with it 😉
I did land on several editorial playlists over the last year. I try to give a short background story about the project/release, describe the music, and tip whoever is reading the pitch what playlists the song might fit into.
Interview: MYR
How did you get started with Lofi Music and lofi Label Compilation Release?
I started producing music in general pretty early on, started assembling apple loops on Garageband and showing my family, thinking look at this, I made this! That was a pretty insane feeling.
To answer the question, I would say I discovered lofi music back in early 2021, fell in love with the mood and the melancholic melodies with some heavy hip-hop-influenced drums on top of it.
It really talked to me, so I decided to create MYR, and the rest is history!
Who are your three favorite lofi artists?
That is really a tough question indeed, but just so you understand the big picture, I would say that my 3 favorite lofi artists are: The Deli, Katashi Kaito, and THE BREED.
What is your favorite Paid VST and FREE VST? Why?
Concerning my favorite paid VST, I would highly recommend the whole Waves audio plugins as well as the TAL-U-No-LX plugins to emulate some amazing synth sounds.
For the free plugins, I really like the collection of Blue Cat Audio plugins, and modulations effects, especially the phasers, chorus, and flangers FX.
What is the best piece of gear that you own? The one that you will pass on to your grandchildren ^_^
Oh, I love gear maaan <3 I should probably have less gear as in music it’s often less is more but I just can’t help it and buy more gear. I would say my favorite one is my 1987 Stratocaster with Floyd rose made in Japan, just because it was born the very same year as me so yeah, it’s a special one for me.
What do you think about sampling, and do you use this process at all, in your productions? If not, why?
Sampling is definitely a big part of the lofi and that’s why I believe with having to deal with it sooner or later if we want to be a good lofi artist. However, it’s very new to me as I am mainly used to creating my own melodies with guitar mostly, making my own samples I would say. It’s really something I would like to improve in the future and learn how to master. I own a SP-404A so I really have everything to use samples the right way 😉
Which other lofi Label Compilation Release have you released on and how was your experience so far?
I’ve released some other labels such as Chill Select and Chill Moon and Widen Island a lot of courses 😉
So far the experience has been great, it’s always interesting to learn to make contact in the lofi community, It’s probably the best community in the world, I mean everyone wants to help each other and grow together.
What do you think it takes to be a good label nowadays?
I think it comes down to providing good marketing, a good social presence, and understanding the artist’s needs.
Pitching song to Spotify Editorial Playlist, any tips?
(Explain if you did make it on an editorial, if so which one was it, and do you remember what you wrote in the pitching a song part?) otherwise, tell us anyway about your experience with it 😉
God damn, it’s tough but it happened once for me, in March 2022 actually, my track “Warning Love” became really big as it was featured in the famous lofi beats editorial playlist with more than 4.5 M likes. My best piece of advice is to just make sure that you make good music and that it sounds amazing. The rest’s just extra, you can talk well about your music sure, but I believe more in how good it sounds! So I try not to focus too much on how I describe it, instead, I just say approximately how I created it, but yeah I try to focus on the music 😉
Conclusion for this dope lofi Label Compilation Release
This lofi Label Compilation Release “MYR and Friends vol.1” is hopefully one of the very many label releases of the lofi hip-hop label Widen Island. The edge relies on the fact that MYR, founder of Widen Island, is a real and active lofi producer. Eager to learn from other artists and to share the knowledge with everyone.
I don’t believe in only talking about myself, I believe in talking about other artists, talking about you, the community, the readers the people that in the end make what lofi hip-hop is today.
Will we create more lofi Label Compilation Releases in the future?
Yes, of course, we believe that this is only the beginning. We want to create more, as we believe that we have the power to impact and give a good presence on social as well as on platforms such as Spotify, Youtube, and Instagram.
If you have unreleased music, send us an email at info@widenisland.com and we will make sure to listen to it and get back to you with feedback.
Find more news about lofi hip hop and lofi Label Album Compilation Release
Make sure to check the latest news on our blog. If you would like to cooperate with us, you are very welcome to contact info@widenisland.com or on Instagram @widen_island. We’ll make sure to get back to you.
/Edwin