Interview with Songwriter and Producer “Chris Doss”
Q: Please introduce yourself to the readers and what made you want to become a musician?
My name is Chris Doss and I’m a producer and songwriter from Los Angeles. From a young age, I always had an affinity for great music. The intricacies of the drums, guitars, bass and vocals all blending together to make a record. Even at when I was in elementary school I’d crack open my parent's cd’s and look at the names of the writer and producer credits.
Q: Who has been your most influential teacher or mentor?
I’d have to say Dave Pensado. I had an electro-pop group called The Union Sound and a friend of ours said “Hey, I know Dave Pensado and I want to send him some of your music.” Over the years you learn a lot of people talk the talk but don’t walk it, BUT in this case, I was meeting with Dave at Larrabee Studios in North Hollywood a week later. Throughout my career he’s always taken the time to really critique my work and sometimes tell me things I don’t want to hear haha. His advice has made forced me to excel.
Q: What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
Pop, metal, rock, blues, jazz, big band, hip-hop, infinite etcetera. Their are styles I don’t care for particularly, but I respect them all.
Q: What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist?
I am holding on to projects when I should just let them go.
Q: What kind of music artist would you classify yourself as?
I’m really more of a producer than the artist. I’d say pop music though.
Q: Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
I found it on my own, but I grew up around it, so who knows. My mother was one of only 2 female studio managers in the 80’s and my uncle Matt was an audio engineer.
Q: Would you agree that it is very important to learn, study and understand the old music and music history?
It’s good to see how everything is cyclical. Styles as trends always find their way back into the mainstream. It’s good to study older genres to learn things they did to achieve their sounds.
Q: Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
I’ve performed all over North America. My favourite venue was the House of Blues in New Orleans. My second favorite would be House of Blues Anaheim. Mainly cause I performed there a lot and it was always the best experience.
Q: What’s next for you?
More work, more repetitions. I’m working with this great R&B/Pop crossover artist named Paris Simone currently. I think she’s something pretty special and am blessed to be working on her debut records.
Q: Do you have any advice for young music makers like yourself?
Don’t chase trends. You’ll always end up behind the curve. The other thing is, don’t compare yourself to other people. Celebrate their victories if you’d like, but don’t beat yourself over why their victories are theirs and not your own. Comparison really is the thief of joy.
www.Instagram.com/thechrisdoss
https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdoss
www.Facebook.com/officialchrisdoss
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-doss-37b84122
https://soundbetter.com/profiles/90676-chris-doss
