We caught up with Ben Reilly to talk about his music. At Indiy we champion musicians.

Let's get to it...

What do you enjoy most about being an independent musician?

Being able to connect with other artists & showing love to their music as well.

If we were to peek over your shoulder, what does your studio look like? What gear do you typically use?

It's a mess! I am always working on something. I'm my own engineer.
I record my songs using a blue snowball microphone & edit all of my songs in audacity.
Usually I get mastering done by a buddy of mine, on the rare occasion I'll work with other engineers, but if I can't find someone else, I usually master my own songs as well.

Do you enjoy recording and production, or do you like performing live and promotion?

I enjoy recording & promotion, however, it's the production part that's a pain for me and although I look forward to performing live more often, I have social anxiety, which also makes that a pain for me.

How would you want people to describe your latest project in a tweet?

"The perfect blend of lyrical hip-hop & trap/drill music."

Do you plan your music releases, or do you just finish a song and release it?

I always plan my music releases and try to find a strategy to market it.

What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?

I'm releasing my song "Potion" Ft. KiddHillz & Luke XI on March 5.

Later this year, I'm dropping my first mixtape, which will feature guest appearances from Tory Lanez & Dave East.

Are you planning any videos for your music? Are there any videos we need to know about!?

Actually, yes! I am filming a music video for "Your Way", the lead single from my mixtape.
And I also have a music video finished for a song called "The Shadow", another single off the project.

Are there any collaborations, past or future, that you are excited about?

In the next few months I'm also dropping songs with Kurupt & KXNG Crooked.
I have more collaborations with Stevie Stone on the way, as well as my first (of many) collaborations with Lydia Caesar.

Which artists inspire your creative process?

Not just by listening to songs by others, but I am inspired pretty much by watching or reading anything that involves creativity.
I can't watch an episode of an anime without wanting to pause the episode to go make another song.

What are your top three favorite albums of all time and why those albums?

This is a tough decision! I usually prefer listening to singles!

Who makes up your existing creative team?
i.e. photographers, video directors, social media managers, paid media specialists, stylists, hair, and makeup…Name someone who you think deserves a special shout-out?

My homie, King Cobra & I, usually handle the promo and manage our social media.
We have our homie 99 Productions as a photographer, video director, editor and graphic designer.

Where can we find you on social media?

Follow me on instagram @benreillyofficial & on twitter @BenReillySTWM.