We caught up with Byron Henderson 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?

Definitely the aspect of being able to create what I want, how I want, when I want!

I enjoy not having anyone trying to force me into being someone, or something I'm not for the sake of publicity.

No one tells me what I can and can't say...

Having that kind of energy around can really hinder the creative process when someone's always breathing down your neck.

I don't want to be another here today and gone tomorrow artist, because I followed someone else's lead instead of my gut.

Staying independent is working for me, because I make a certain kind of music that can reach a wide variety of people, without the help of a label or a big radio hit.

Honesty is important to me, whether that's in life or music!

Being an independent artist gives you that opportunity to be as honest as possible with your listeners...

And I'm pretty sure they like that just as much as I do!

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

I'm currently in-house, and I mostly engineer my own music out of sheer convenience...

You can't always depend on other people!

I like having space to move around, so I don't really have too much surrounding me when I record.

I have a set of Blue audio headphones and a Blue Snowball microphone that I've been using for a while, and I like how it's been working for me.

I do plan to upgrade at some point, but until it's actually broken, there's no reason to fix it!

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

Oh man, can I say both?

I really enjoy performing because it's much more intimate for the listeners.

You can feel the energy and see their reactions to certain lines.

The music itself touches people, but seeing it performed in front of you takes it to a completely different level...

It's such an amazing experience!

On the other hand, I like recording too because it's more intimate for me personally.

I love recording in the dark!

It really helps bring my thoughts out in full force...

That, and I like being alone most of the time, so it really works for me.

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

Relatable. Honest. Vulnerable. Growth...

Fingers crossed that something was learned from it as well.

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

Although I do sometimes like to surprise my listeners with a new release once in a while, pretty much everything is planned...

From singles to albums!

I have a schedule that I admittedly work myself a bit too hard sometimes, in order to stick to...

But it's routine at this point.

I do however make sure to find ways to rest and recharge in between.

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

If everything goes well, another album, definitely!

I released the final part of a trilogy last year...

And now that my life story is pretty much finished musically, I want to focus more elsewhere and make something different.

I have all sorts of ideas!

I just have to bring them to life!

I think it'll be great to go in a different direction artistically.

Growth is important, as long as you simultaneously stay true to yourself and those you love.

As far as future shows...I'm not sure.

You know COVID is still running rampant, and I don't want anyone putting themselves more at risk for the sake of a show that could happen at a later date.

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

I currently don't have any music videos, unfortunately.

I have a ton of ideas for a few though!

I made the decision early on that if I ever did any, they'd have to be special...

Not just regular music videos with little to no correlation to the records.

I really just want to make a nice short film for my last three projects.

I think that would be incredible!

It'd really make everything even more vivid than it already is.

I love a really, really well-crafted music video!

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

Hmm, I don't really think about this too often, because I mostly stay to myself.

Plus, most artists are competitive!

And I'm like the complete opposite!

I honestly just try to enjoy myself.

I've never really been the person to collaborate with a lot of people...

Because I want my collaborations to live forever just like my solo stuff will!

I really like Hayley Mary and Demi Lovato though.

Those are my favorite singers, and I think we could make some magic together if the opportunity presented itself.

More so on the Hip-Hop side, definitely Royce da 5'9", Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Ab-Soul, Scarface, or Ice Cube.

I know those are probably long shots, but that's where my interests lie the most in terms of collaborations.

If I was to get into collaborating...

I'd want to make something really special with people I actually listen to.

What inspires your creative process?

My best friend Kelsey, definitely!

She is just awesome...The absolute best!

We can talk about any and everything, and the conversations we have sends my mind to so many different places...

She's really the driving force behind a large part of my creativity.

I've learned and continue to learn so much from her, and her personality really helps me stay creative.

I couldn't ask for a better person to stand side by side with.

Just the thought of her, and what we've gone through...both together and alone, is more than enough for me.

Anything else would probably be overkill for my mind!

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

Oooh, that's a tough question!

Okay, so 'Synthia' by The Jezabels is definitely number one!

I can listen to that album front to back every day...That's how amazing it is!
There isn't a single song that I don't like on that album, which is rare as can be for me.

Number two I think would be 'DROGAS WAVE' by Lupe Fiasco.

That album to me is probably the greatest Hip-Hop album I've ever heard.
The creativity, the production, the subject matter, the layers...
It all appeals to me!

I'm also a huge fan of storytelling and albums that are on the lengthier side, as long as it's executed well.

That album is pretty much perfect! Lupe at his best is nearly impossible to top!

Number three would be 'The Brink' by The Jezabels.

There were a few other choices, but these are the three albums without a single song I don't like.

If a song from either of these albums comes on, it'll make me want to listen to the entire thing!

And I've yet to have that experience with any other project.

These three albums are masterpieces to me...

You basically watch them instead of listening...It's kind of surreal, actually!

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?

Honestly, I've mostly been going at it alone this entire time!

I would certainly like to shout out all the amazing producers who I've worked with over the years though...

There are so many talented men and women roaming this planet that don't get nearly as much recognition as I think they've earned!

I wish I could shout them all out one by one!

I also would like to shout out my best friends Kelsey and Aaliyah.

They're like the two driving forces behind what I do and why I'm still here.

None of this is easy, but they help me not focus on that part of it, how to just enjoy stuff is something I really learned from them!

Even this shout-out doesn't do them justice if I'm being real with you!

Kelsey is pretty much my manager at this point...

Nearly everything is discussed with her!

Shout out to my late friend Marina too. And to her sister, Maya...

Keep trying to be the best version of yourself. You're doing great, and she'd be proud of you.

Shout to Rhonda as well for just being an all-around amazing person!

People like her don't get nearly as much credit either.

And last but not least, shout out to everyone that's ever given my music a chance.

Whether you liked it or not!

Whether you're still a fan of my work or not!

I appreciate that you even took the time and energy to listen...

That means the world to me!

Where can we find you on social media?

@sadistic.18 on Instagram

Byron Henderson on YouTube

And also, my music site is: nobodynowhere.bandcamp.com

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Andrea

Andrea graduated from Roehampton University and The BRIT School, whose globally recognized alumni include Adele, Katy B, Ella Eyre, FKA Twigs, Jessie J, Leona Lewis, Katie Melua, Kate Nash and the Rizzle Kicks. She takes her love of the arts and entertainment industry to provide useful information to upcoming musicians, helping them navigate the industry and avoid making costly mistakes. She actively mentors our current contributors. Andrea has qualifications in Content Marketing and also manages our collaborative playlists for independent artists

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