018. Shrimpnose: Shame Is Not A Constructive Emotion, Harnessing Emotions To Develop Creative Freedom, and the Art of Juxtaposition

In this episode of ProducerHead, Toru sits down with Shrimpnose, a talented producer who’s known for his unique blend of acoustic and electronic music.

They explore his journey from metal influences to the world of electronic music, how sadness has shaped his creative process, and the inspirations for his latest project, The World Pushed Against You. His first full-length with Nettwerk, the 12-track project ranges from frenzied jersey club-laden IDM to mellow garage-infused ballads.

This conversation delves deep into the healing power of music, Shrimpnose’s approach to blending genres, and how he’s developed his signature sound.

This episode is packed with valuable lessons on authenticity, self-expression, and the power of staying true to oneself.

Throughout the episode we discuss:

• Shrimpnose’s journey from metal to electronic music and how he discovered his love for blending genres.

• The impact of artists like Dijon, Justin Vernon, and Shlomo on his creative process.

• How sadness and mental health have influenced Shrimpnose’s music and journey as an artist.

• The importance of juxtaposition and combining unexpected elements in music production.

• The role of live performances and how they shape his understanding of music and self-expression.

Three Meaningful Takeaways:

1. Embracing Vulnerability: Shrimpnose emphasizes how expressing sadness and vulnerability in music can be a form of healing and self-discovery.

2. Creative Juxtapositions: He finds inspiration in combining seemingly opposing elements, which keeps his creative process fresh and engaging.

3. Music as a Language: For Shrimpnose, music became a way to express emotions that he couldn’t always articulate verbally, making it a vital part of his life.

Timeline:

0:00 - Introduction to Shrimpnose

2:32 - Track 1: "Many Times" by Dijon

7:14 - Track 2: "Hazeltons" by Justin Vernon

19:30 - Track 3: "Places" by Shlomo

29:45 - Discussing the role of sadness in creativity

32:45 - Shrimpnose’s unique approach to playing the guitar left-handed

40:45 - How mental health influences Shrimpnose's music and journey

44:45 - Embracing mistakes and letting the music "be what it wants to be"

48:45 - The importance of honesty in life and art

57:59 - Discussing the album "The World Pushed Against You" and its themes

1:00:45 - Shrimpnose’s decision to move away from Lo-Fi and create dance music

1:09:45 - Quick Hits section

1:21:31 - Outro

List of References from the Interview:

Songs:

• Dijon – "Many Times"

• Justin Vernon – "Hazelton"

• Shlomo – "Places"

• Elliott Smith – Self-titled album

• YYYXX – "About You"

Books/Authors:

• Albert Camus (referenced in the discussion about the album title)

Podcasts/Products:

• Ableton Live (mentioned as his DAW of choice)

Connect with Shrimpnose:

• YouTube: @shrimpnosebeats 

• Instagram: @shrimpnose

• Facebook: johnshrimpnose

• Spotify: Shrimpnose

• Apple Music: Shrimpnose

• Official Profile: Nettwerk Music Group

Connect with Toru:

• Website: torubeat.com

• Instagram: @torubeat

• YouTube: @torubeat

• Spotify: Toru

• Apple Music: Toru

Credits:

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz. From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.