Unveiling the Soul: Blish on His Artistic Journey, Creative Inspirations, and What’s Next in Music
By. Alicia Zamora
A Conversation with Blish
During an exclusive interview conducted by Alicia's Studio, I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredibly talented artist and producer Blish. We engaged in an in-depth discussion, exploring the profound inspirations that drive his music, delving into his unique creative process, and gaining valuable insights into his personal journey as an artist.
Our conversation with Blish he provided an immersive experience into his artistic world, offering a glimpse into the intricate blend of influences that shape his musical identity. Blish articulated the intricacies of his approach to music production and passionately shared the diverse sources that fuel his creative fire. It was truly captivating to witness the depth of his emotional connection to his art and understand how it permeates every aspect of his music.
The interview shed light on the multifaceted layers of Blish's artistic journey, revealing the depth of his commitment to pushing boundaries and connecting with his audience on a profound level. His thoughtful reflections and unwavering dedication to authenticity emphasized the impact of his music and the evolution of his artistic expression.
Diving In
Alicia: Starting the interview off, please introduce yourself and what you do! Then we can dive into the questions.
Blish: Hi, my name is Blish. I'm someone who loves to express the stories and emotions I want to share through sound. That's why I work as a singer-songwriter and producer in Korea.
Alicia: How did you get started in music? What or who inspired you to begin your musical journey?
Blish: I entered university without really knowing what I liked or who I was. After some time, I realized that if I continued living like that, my life would feel empty forever. After much contemplation, I discovered that I enjoy expressing what I want to convey through art, especially music. That’s when I started making music. The people who inspired me to start making music are Akon and T-Pain. I had only listened to Korean music until then, but while studying abroad, I was exposed to their music for the first time. I was shocked, and at the same time, I felt a strong desire to create music like that.
Alicia: What drives you to create music, and how do you stay motivated during challenging times?
Blish: I think I create music when there’s a story I want to tell, an emotion I want to express, or simply when I feel an instinctual urge. When I’m making music, I become more immersed in it than in anything else, and I lose track of time. It also seems to motivate me during difficult times.
Alicia: Can you walk us through your songwriting or composing process? Do you start with lyrics, melody, or another element?
Blish: It varies, but I usually start by making the track and then adding the melody. There's no set process when I create tracks. Sometimes, I start with the drums and other times, I start with a loop. I think I just follow my instincts.
Alicia: Going into your most recent release “Wanderland” what's the story or inspiration behind that single?
Blish: This song portrays someone who has been wandering but has finally found their own utopia. It’s a reflection of my past self.
Alicia: How do you approach the arrangement and production of your music? What role does each play in the final product?
Blish: I always rely on my instincts and intuition. I would say it's about translating the emotions I want to express at each moment into sound.
Alicia: Are there any particular rituals or routines you follow when working on new music?
Blish: Not really! I just listen to good new music that comes out every day.
Alicia: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about yourself through your music career?
Blish: I've learned that I am someone who feels energized by doing what I love with passion and energy. I've also realized that sharing that energy with others is something I truly enjoy and find fun.
Alicia: Can you discuss a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding your career or artistic direction?
Blish: It wasn’t really a difficult decision, but after I started producing, I wanted to try doing vocals as well. I did have some doubts about whether I could do it well.
Alicia: What do you consider to be the greatest achievement in your musical career so far?
Blish: I think my greatest achievements so far have been releasing my first produced track, "Yang Hongwon - Business Class (feat. JUSTHIS)," and putting out my debut full-length album as an artist, "Wanderland."
Alicia: What are your goals or aspirations for the future, both personally and professionally?
Blish: In the near term, my specific goal is to release my upcoming second full length album. Personally, I aim to enjoy making music even more with my colleagues. Additionally, I want to help those who have supported and empowered me so far.
Alicia: What’s a musical idea or concept that you’ve always wanted to explore but haven’t had the chance to yet?
Blish: Creating music solely with a choir made up of various people.
Alicia: How do you use music to express emotions or experiences that are difficult to put into words?
Blish: I express emotions or experiences that are difficult to put into words through lyrics or sounds.
Alicia: What are your goals for the future, both short-term and long-term, as a musician?
Blish: . In the short term, my goal is to release my second full-length album. In the long term, I aim to perform in front of a substantial audience in the U.S. or the U.K.
Alicia: Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next few years?
Blish: I'm considering either Korea or the U.S. or the U.K. as well.
Alicia: As an artist, what would you like people to think when they hear the name “Blish”?
Blish: An artist who leaves people excited and curious about what projects will come next, while also being someone who brings a diverse range of colors and styles.
Alicia: Can you share a story about a moment when you felt completely outside of your comfort zone in your music career?
Blish: In the past, I wasn’t the type of person who easily met and got close to many people due to my personality. However, for the sake of my music career, I realized that this was becoming a disadvantage, so I made an effort to change and improve my personality.
Alicia: What’s a dream project or collaboration that you would love to see happen in your career?
Blish: If I’m talking about a dream collaboration, I’m already working on it with my second album. I hope you’ll see it through the songs that will be released in the second half of this year. :)
Alicia: What do you hope listeners take away from your music, and how do you achieve that in your work?
Blish: I hope listeners feel and think about creative aspects they hadn’t expected from my music. I want them to find freshness and inspiration in seeing that someone can think and express things in this way.
Alicia: Out of all your released tracks which would you say best describes you as an artist?
Blish: I believe the title track "Reminisce" from my debut album best describes me as an artist. It seems to capture my musical style most authentically and also conveys the message I wanted to express.
Alicia: What's the best advice you can give someone trying to go down the path of being an artist?
Blish: I would want to emphasize that it’s not as easy as it might appear. Once you enter this path, there are many challenges you might not have anticipated. Additionally, how you present yourself to people is just as important as the music itself.
Alicia: Ending the interview off I wanted to say thank you so much and congratulations on the release of “Wanderland”! Now is there any message you want to say to your listeners?
Blish: Thank you for having me !
Blish: I’d like to express my deep gratitude. I promise to continue coming back with even better music, visuals, and concepts.