Selling Samples on the Splice Charts with Dylan Kidd
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton
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Topics discussed
Host note
Dylan Kidd has torn up the Splice charts with his one-shots and loops, work that's led to major label placements and brand campaigns. We talk about how the sample and loop economy actually works, the pool system that pays creators based on how popular their samples get, and how he built the sample pack "Sticks and Stones."
Dylan traces his musical upbringing back to jazz band and early exposure to Motown, then the left turn of moving from New Orleans to LA's competitive session player scene. He argues that having diverse hobbies outside music feeds directly back into the work, and that keeping a day job while building a music career is nothing to be embarrassed about. He closes on something simple: music is an outlet, and picking up a guitar to noodle for ten minutes still counts.
Selected moments
- Dylan's Musical Background 1:32 Dylan reflects on his early exposure to Motown and jazz, emphasizing how diverse influences shaped his musical journey.
- Importance of Diverse Interests 2:56 He discusses how having multiple hobbies enriches his music-making process and balances his life.
- New Orleans vs. LA Music Scene 9:43 Dylan shares the transition from the New Orleans scene to the competitive session player roles in LA.
- The Role of Joy in Music Creation 28:46 He touches on the importance of maintaining joy and curiosity in music, urging artists to play for fun.
- Sample Making and Splice Success 36:50 Dylan reveals how he created popular samples for Splice, showcasing the intricacies of the sampling system.
- Realities of Being a Musician 43:26 He discusses the importance of having a day job to support his music career and the value of community in this pursuit.
Selected excerpts
I joined jazz band in high school, and we had a bunch of weird music jokes we were making all the time.
I think it's nice, and I actually think that empowers musicians... to have a diverse life and diverse interests because that spills into the music.
New Orleans was just a totally just like a left turn for me...I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
I like going there just because it dusts out the cobwebs a little bit.
In its simplest form, music is just a great outlet...You can always pick up the guitar and just noodle for like 10 or 15 minutes.
Dylan Kidd is on Instagram and Twitter as 'Dylan Kidd Music'...check out the sample pack called 'Sticks and Stones' on Splice!
FAQ
What is Splice and how does it work?
Splice is a subscription-based platform where users can download and use samples and loops in their music projects. It operates on a pool system where creators earn based on the popularity of their samples.
How did Dylan Kidd become successful in the sample/loop economy?
Dylan gained recognition by creating high-quality samples that peaked on Splice's charts, leading to collaborations and opportunities in music production.
Why is having diverse interests important for musicians?
Dylan emphasizes that engaging in various hobbies enriches a musician's creativity and informs their music, allowing for a more holistic artistic expression.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. An automatic transcript is on the Spotify episode.