Meet Reed Deming - An 18-year-old pop artist/songwriter/producer from San Antonio, TX. Deming made his professional debut on the second season of the American reality competition series "The X Factor" with an opening night premiere and 12 million captive viewers. He competed all the way to the top 24, under the mentorship of Britney Spears and will.i.am.
In March 2014, Deming released perhaps one of his most critically acclaimed and successful songs. Entitled "Crash Test Dummy", the intimate and vulnerable track tackles the subject of personal identity and self-acceptance.
In the summer of 2015, Deming released his third EP, "Sunny", the first EP on which he was the only songwriter. In May 2016 he wrote, co-produced, and released two songs along with a music video.
From 2015 to the present, Deming has performed over 100 shows with touring collectives such as OMG Music Fest, FanRave, Playlist Live, Digitour, and Boys of Summer.
Deming has begun his transition into a more mature audience, and describes his newest material as "more intense, intimate and self-aware. Deming began releasing these new songs in the Spring of 2017. They include “I Wish”, “Cry Wolf”, “Crazy ‘bout You” and “Heaven on Earth”.
Deming is a "lifer", someone who plans on making music and touring until he drops dead. Over the past 5 years, he has worked hard developing his following and sound into something truly unique and marketable. He is passionate about his art and plans to pursue it for the rest of his life.
Find out what Reed's been up to, where he draws inspiration, and what he's got in store for us in our latest Center Stage Q&A
What was the inspiration behind writing and recording your song "I Wish"?
I Wish was written from a place of personal discontentment. It's that little voice in your head pointing out all your shortcomings, reminding your that you're not the person you want to become yet. I wrote I Wish when I was 17 from my bedroom on piano, and produced a rough demo on Logic, and then took it to Austin to refine it to what it is today.
Is the song part of an upcoming release?
I Wish was the third single I released this year, and we just finished a music video for it that's unbelievable. We outsourced every location, actor, and videographers from San Antonio, and created something that we're incredibly proud of.
Describe your sound in one ramble-on sentence.
It's modern electro-pop, with the compositional influences of artists/bands like OneRepublic, Jon Bellion, and Nick Jonas, and the production qualities of records released by Flume and Troye Sivan.
What's your earliest music-related memory growing up?
I can remember being about 5 years old, singing in the car with my dad at the top of my lungs. I remember I could belt every song an octave higher than my dad sang it.
If you were to cover another band/artist's album, which would you pick and why?
Dreaming Out Loud by OneRepublic is one of the most influential bodies of work I've ever been exposed to, and I'd be so excited to give it a modern edge from a production standpoint. Songs like Stop and Stare and Prodigal have created permanent stamps on the way I understand and perceive new music.
Do you write/compose your own songs? Briefly describe your songwriting process
As an artist with something to say, it's necessary to. I'm not a vocal specialist by any means, so I use my songwriting and production/mixing capabilities to communicate an entire musical mood. Everything starts with a demo for me. I use Logic and Pro Tools to produce the record and usually outsource for mixing, and finish mastering the song myself. But every song is different. I love writing songs when I'm on the road, isolated from family, friends, and familiarity. I get to reflect on my life
What has been the highlight for you in 2017? Either personally or for your music career?
2017 was filled with both professional and personal growth on all fronts. I'm double the producer I was last year, and have expanded beyond "I Wish" to much more intricate, vocally demanding songs. I was challenged a lot this year to become a more well-rounded musician and guy, and I'm proud of the lessons I learned.
What have you been working on recently? Can you give us a hint for whats to come in your music career? An entire LP is on the way. I've been refining it for two years now, and it's ready for the world. Lots of tours. Lots of music. Just everything that a genuine artist should be focused on.
What do you like more: Performing live or recording in the studio?
Well, they're very different experiences. I spend 8-12 hours a day in my home studio, so I'm super comfortable in that creative environment. Some of my greatest moments of personal growth have taken place in the studio. But performing live is where all that work in the studio pays off. That's where you get to share your message to the world, and in many ways that's the single greatest experience I get from this job.
Any embarrassing on stage moments you'd like to share? C’mon, don’t be shy.
One time I was 15 and I was playing live, I went to take a drink of water before I went onstage and spilled it all over my crotch. What's worse, I was wearing white jeans and had no way to change clothes. That sucked.
What's one thing people should know about you?
I make music for the same reason that you listen to it. Music is fulfilling, its powerful. You attach the most powerful memories and important moments of your life to songs. An incredible song can take you into the world of its creator and fill you with the feeling the artist had when they wrote it. I make music to share those moments with the world.
What do you enjoy doing outside of music? Does your hobby rejuvenate your creativity?
I've got two and they're so different from each other. I love boxing, and I love figure skating. Being physical and doing exciting sports is the best, and I'd recommend both to anyone.
What do you like the most about Radio Airplay?
Platforms like Radio Airplay are unbelievable for artists looking to get their voice heard. I'm getting this interview right now because somebody here believed in my music enough to give me a platform. And they continue to do the same for other amazing artists and bands all across the globe. From an artist's perspective, it's a huge opportunity.
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