Spotlight: How to Make It Big in Lo-Fi

Lo-Fi has not been considered a genre until recently when independent artists started to release hip-hop mixes with a tinge of nostalgia reminiscent of the works of Japanese artists Nujabes and Uyama Hiroto.

Since then, other artists such as Jinsang and Potsu have been producing fantastic music that follows the lo-fi ethic, inspiring even more amateur musicians to enter the market.

But how do you do that, though?

People often have the impression that the genre requires minimal skills and even minimal resources. But to truly make it big in a world of grainy jazz pianos and subdued beats, you have to know a few fundamentals:

Know what lo-fi sounds like

Like any other genre, lo-fi has its characteristics. And if you want to promote yourself as a lo-fi artist, it’s essential to know the characteristics that make lo-fi authentic. These include repetitive instrumentals taken from jazz samples and a grainy background quality, making any lo-fi song seem like it’s being played on a cassette player. 

To be sure, listen to established artists in the genre or check out your favorite audio-streaming sites for dedicated lo-fi playlists.

Learn the basics of music production

They say today’s musicians have it good because they can skip critical musical theories to produce something anyone can vibe to. But the work goes beyond just mixing two different songs. Even if you’re planning to break out in the lo-fi scene, you still need to understand how music works to create something beautiful. 

Luckily, you can get valuable training from the best online music schools where you can learn more about mixing, setting up your workflow, and dealing with post-production activities.

Invest in the right gear

Since lo-fi isn’t all about the equipment but the effect you try to produce in your listeners, you’re probably wondering if it’s even worth buying expensive synths and a MacBook Pro. 

Actually, it all depends. Whether you’re using outdated equipment or the latest tech in music production, you can still create tracks with a lo-fi character. You don’t have to spend a lot just to make music for college students cramming for an exam. You only need the basics: a decent laptop, a synthesizer, a keyboard, and turntables. You can always rent a recording studio if you’re on a tight budget.

Release a demo

After securing everything you need to start your career as a lo-fi artist and recording your first EP, you can now begin to get people to notice you. There’s always SoundCloud or Bandcamp and even Spotify to consider, but a surefire way to build an audience is through YouTube. Still, a good mix of all these channels should be ideal when promoting your music.

With these fundamentals in mind, the possibilities to create sentimental and poignant music are almost limitless. All you have to do is to flex your artistic muscle. Everything else should follow.