Today, we sat down with by Papa B.™ who is the founder, songwriter, bassist for Delphi Ravens! We talk about inspiration to write music, advice for musicians and much more! Be sure to check out Delphi Ravens music below after the interview on Spotify!
Interview:
What is your inspiration to write your music? Is it your surroundings?
I would say we write most of our music based on life experiences, particularly those that are emotionally driven. We have done a song about animal cruelty, but it is an exception.
Relationships and breakups, fear, anger, substance abuse, loss of a loved one, are all areas we have explored in our music. Both Kira (lead singer) and I write lyrics, so we have plenty of life experiences to draw on. And there are always new experiences too.
We have been called a ‘dark’ band because we explore so many tough experiences and the emotions of them. We did just finish an upbeat, hopeful love, song that is getting rave reviews, Take My Hand. But most of our music is darker and moodier in feel.
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
Anything and everything, and still do. Even if I am not a fan of a certain genre, I will listen to songs from it. Well written is still well written and you can be inspired by the song message, the structure of the song, and the production of it too. There is always something to learn and incorporate into your own song writing.
Of course, as the elder member of our band I was influenced by the Stones, Beatles, Zeppelin, Queen, and more recent bands. But today I listen to current alternative and rock artists most of the time since that is what we are about.
Is there someone you looked up to as a hero?
Not any one person but I was lucky enough to have some mentors who taught me mostly life lessons that apply to anything you choose to do. I have always been very driven by challenges and proving people wrong…especially those that want to put others down and are negative all the time.
I call them vampires because they only get satisfaction at someone else have problems or failing even though they are usually total failures themselves. They just want to suck the life out of others and never give anything to anyone. Helping someone is the best feeling of all and what people should focus on.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing today?
I wouldn’t change anything. I have been fortunate to be a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur so I cannot complain about my past. Today I am focused on music and writing new songs and my goal is constant improvement in song composition as well as my playing ability. Learning should be a life-long ambition for everyone.
What advice do you have for our fans out there that want to create music?
There is so much information available today to help you it can be overwhelming. But it is a great thing. You must be willing to work hard and know it will take time, be persistent! I find that working with people who are better than you is the fastest way to improve…anything. If you can find a mentor even better.
Invest in yourself and your music, your instrument is a small part of it. So, you might end up working extra to save up money to improve or market yourself. Research before you spend. Tons of people offer training and programs, but most are a waste of your time. Talk to others and find out what is working for them, it will save you time and money.
Music is a business, and most artists hate that part of it. But you must understand the basics of the business if you are in it and want to succeed. There are no short cuts and there is nothing worse than making good music to only get screwed by someone or some company because you didn’t understand what the ‘deal’ was. I have seen this too often.
Most important, make sure whatever your style, that the music you create is good. If you don’t have that you have nothing to offer. Do not be afraid to have successful artists critique your music. Listen, Learn, Adapt!
Music:
