Go “Behind the Boards” With Simon Illa (Exclusive Interview)

(Photo by Alisha McKellar)

(Editor's Note: This is the latest in our ongoing "Behind the Boards" interview series, which takes a behind the scenes look at the music you love.)

Simon Illa is a genius. I was first introduced to his work through his work with my homie Kyle Lucas. Simon never fails to impress every listener with his unique flair and the sonic characteristics of the songs he is involved with. Read along as we discuss so of his story and path into the music industry as well as his take on the current, digital state of music. Enjoy!

John Stewart: For those who aren't familiar, introduce yourself.

Simon Illa: Simon Illa - songwriter/producer/vocal arranger. I've produced everything from pop to gospel and rock to rap and almost everything in between (except classical and jazz... haha). Sounds cliché but, Google my name!

JS: How long have you been 'in the game' and what was it that made you want to get into the game? What was your first 'big break'?

SI: I've been in the business since I graduated college... Actually, I started producing and writing when I was in college. I've always been into music. Its been a part of my life since I was born. My dad was a musician. In fact, so many people in my family are artists or musicians at some level, I guess its in the genes. My career and progress in the music business has been a series of 'breaks' here and there. Moving to Philadelphia after college really opened up my career. Spending time in New York, Miami, Cleveland, and other cities recording and producing really just spread the word about myself and my music. One 'break' in specific was that I did some of the soundtrack for a documentary called American Rap Stars which had every rapper you could imagine at the time (around 2002). I negotiated the deal myself. Didn't get a lot of money from it, but they agreed to put my name in the credits for doing the music (I think they used 5 or 6 tracks). I started getting a lot of phone calls and emails after it started getting played on Showtime.

JS: How would you say digital technology has changed the face of music?

SI: The technology is a double-edge sword to me. Of course, on one hand, its allowed me to do so much more musically. Music has become so driven by technology with auto-tune and sequencing/drum replacement/etc. Its a great time to make music with so many sonic possibilities. However, now that the technology is available to the average consumer, there has been a huge surge of 'beat makers'... allow me to rant here...haha IF YOU PUT SOME LOOPS TOGETHER ON SOME MUSIC PROGRAM, YOU ARE NOT A PRODUCER! The term producer has been totally twisted. Its how you create a track or song/arrange it/work with a vocalist/etc that makes someone a producer.

Simon Illa & Vonnegutt Session at Stankonia

(Photo by Tony Terrebonne)

JS: How would describe the 'perfect song'?

SI: I'm not sure if a 'perfect song' exists. Music is art. So whatever each of us defines as perfect, that's what's perfect. As a producer, I find that songs that just seamlessly come together and I can't stop listening to myself... that's probably pretty close to perfect. But most musicians/producers/etc will tell you, we are all striving for that 'perfect song' and thats what keeps us going and creating music.

JS: What are some common mistakes that young producers tend to make?

SI: Learning to listen is key... sounds crazy but its important to listen to what you're doing. Is the song full sonically, is the vocal pitchy, is it a good vocal delivery? So many times, I have heard overuse of compression... oh yeah, and loud does not mean good...haha oh yeah, and keep the low end clean... if you have an 808 kick and a sub bass at the same time... keep em clean and separated!

JS: Where do you draw inspiration from when producing?

SI: Inspiration can come from so many places. It can be the artist or group I'm working with, the music I listen to from day to day. Location can inspire too... I probably won't make the same music in Miami as I would in New York. One of the best inspirations is giving the client inspiration. When an artist I am working with is really into what we're creating, it motivates me. There have been times that some of the producers that I look up to have contacted me about songs I have done and give me props. That is a great feeling. All in all, I just want to make music that means something to me and its bonus if it means that much or more to whoever listens to it.

JS: Take us through your creative process. Would you rather be involved in the whole process (writing, composing, recording, etc) or is there a certain element that you like more than the others?

SI: Really, I love the whole process and I have my hand in a majority of that process. Once again we go back to the true definition of a producer. Even if I don't write lyrics to a song, I may have the artist/writer re-phrase something or suggest a particular guitar or bass part etc. Recording/producing/arranging vocals is one of my favorite processes. There are so many things you can do with a great singer or rapper. Getting the best performance or even exceeding expectations on vocals is very rewarding... I have been taught by the best.

JS: What platform do you use the most when working on your music (i.e. Pro Tools, live instruments, Logic, etc)?

SI: All of them in some form. Depending on the client/project. Most of my pre-production and composition is in Logic with some great VSTs. I'm fortunate to have great musicians in my circle that can play pretty much anything from guitar/bass/drums... I even have a percussionist that could play some spoons on a record if I needed it.

Simon Illa & D. Woods at Zac Recording

(Photo by Keri McDaniel)

JS: Do you have a favorite studio/location you like to work in?

SI: Not particularly, I have worked out of a ton of studios... Hit Factory in NY and Miami, Stankonia, Sigma Sound in Philly and more. I've been working out of Zac Recording in Atlanta for the past year which is great because they have 4 great rooms for everything a producer would ever need and I have access to pretty much any piece of gear I'd ever want.

JS: You've also done quite a bit of engineering in your career. Do you feel that your knowledge of proper engineering gives you an advantage when producing? How?

SI: Oh yeah, because I know what engineers need and expect from producers. And of course, knowing how to properly work the gear you're working with helps too. So if I want a certain sound or effect, I know how to convey that to the engineer because I have done it myself.

JS: Any last words? Where can people reach out to you and connect with you and your work?

Yup, thanks for the interview man, I appreciate it. If anyone wants more info on me and my work, check the following (or just Google my name "Simon Illa"):

www.myspace.com/simonilla
www.twitter.com/simonilla
www.youtube.com/simonilla
www.simonilla.com

As an added bonus, check out "Garnett (Simon Illa Remix)", a new song that Illa produced, featuring last week's interview Captain Midnite & Kyle Lucas, right now below.