Bthelick Digs into the Originality Dilemma

Bthelick kicks off his latest session, and boy, does he start with a bang. A fan, grateful for one of his tracks leading them to love, hilariously questions if a drum sample was pulled straight from Splice. This backdrop sets the stage for a deeper dive into the world of creating unique sounds. Right from the get-go, Bthelick’s humor and storytelling make it clear he’s not your usual music producer. His opening remarks set a conversational tone that’s both charming and reflective, as he prepares to unravel the big question: when does making your own sounds really matter? Through his quirky intro, Bthelick establishes the importance of originality—or maybe the illusion of it—in today’s music scene.

You ever thought sidestepping samples would make you the next Trent Reznor? Bthelick unpacks the myths around the one-person music prodigy. He’s nostalgic about his early days, idolizing music legends and dreaming of creating everything from scratch. But reality check: with today’s tech and accessibility, he questions if it’s all even necessary. The artist myth of doing it all solo is contrasted against the practicality and expectations of modern production. Bthelick points out that while tech makes it feasible, it doesn’t necessarily make it wise. The recounting of his journey to understand when it’s worth making one’s own samples illuminates the core of the originality debate. Critically, Bthelick raises concerns about this ‘paranoia of originality’ that seems to grip creators, hinting that chasing a myth might overshadow true artistry.

Bthelick throws us straight into the thick of it by discussing opportunity cost. Want original drum samples? Prepare for a steep trade-off with your time. He talks about dance music producers new to the scene and the challenges of finding a musical identity without relying on pre-made kits. Yet, the time it takes to create something ‘original’ is daunting. He mentions the pitfalls that await those attempting to learn new instruments, like pretending to be a guitarist when a virtual plugin won’t cut it. The comedic image of someone torturing their fingers for months trying to master a lick just nails the struggle. It’s all about considering where you sink your time, as Bthelick advises, “Don’t lose your mojo chasing originality when you could be dropping tracks.” The message is clear: know your priorities.

Bthelick delivers a masterclass on why sometimes, reaching for a sample pack isn’t just a shortcut—it’s smart. He admits to pausing his guitar prowess in favor of quick, efficient sampling to stay focused on creativity. The scene of getting a guitar ready for recording is hilariously complex, filled with checks from tunings to amp settings. He outlines that while uniqueness has its place in branding and performance, practicality often trumps purist fantasies. Bthelick’s tale of a live guitar line versus a quick splice loop offers insight into how brand identity influences these choices. If you’re not performing live or flaunting a specific image, those painstakingly created sounds might go unnoticed by the crowd. He wraps up by driving home that knowing who you’re making music for dictates whether going original is worth the hassle.