“dreaming as always”
Miles Tobel is 16 years old and lives in Los Angeles, California. I met Miles at a 1-week Berklee College of Music songwriting program last June. We instantly connected over our love for music and songwriting. Miles has over 10 songs out on Spotify and is creating his mark in the music industry. Miles plays multiple instruments and spends most of his free time songwriting, singing, performing live, and networking with other musicians. Mile’s determination, persistence, and talent has inspired me everyday to keep going and to chase my dreams…which is exactly why I chose him to be my interviewee this week.
Q: Why is music such a big part of your life?
A: I’ve been playing music since I was four when my dad taught me to play the piano. For me, there’s nothing more magnetizing than an amazing song, and nothing more rewarding than writing one. Because of this, I’ve made music a huge focus in my life.
Q: Which musical artist or group has inspired you the most?
A: Bob Dylan is definitely my biggest inspiration.
Q: When did you start singing and songwriting?
A: I started signing when I was 11, and I released my first EP when I was 12.
Q: When did you begin to produce the music you wrote?
A: I’ve always produced my own music. When I first started, my guitar teacher helped me, as he had a bit of background with Logic Pro, but now I do everything by myself in a little studio I’ve built in my room.
Q: What does the songwriting process usually look like for you?
A: It’s different every time, but normally I start off at the piano or guitar and come up with a little chord progression or melody. I’ll build a whole song around that, without lyrics, and record and produce the whole thing. Then, I write the lyrics, which normally come from poems that I write. That part takes the longest time, but I think I enjoy writing lyrics most.
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far when it comes to music?
A: Ooh I don’t really know, I’m pretty proud about winning Young Arts this year, but I think I’m most excited to release a full length album, which is coming in June.
Q: What are you currently doing to help yourself move forwards in the music industry?
A: I’m really just trying to write new songs and play as many open mics and shows with as many bands as possible.
Q: What are your goals for the future when it comes to music?
A: I just hope to be able to make a living off of being a musician in some way shape or form.
Q: What does music mean to you, and why is it important to you?
A: Music means everything to me, and it’s important because I feel like it’s an opportunity to express my opinions and feelings; an opportunity that I might not have otherwise.
Q: If you could collaborate with any musical artist or group, who would it be?
A: Probably Bob Dylan because his lyric and music writing skills are incomparable.
Q: Why do you enjoy performing so much? Do you ever get nervous?
A: I think there’s just a rush that you get from performing that you don’t get from anything else, and I used to get nervous, but now it just feels like second nature.
Q: What usually inspires you to write music? And what do you find yourself writing about the most?
A: Recently I’ve been writing a lot about love, but I really just write about things I see at school or around town that inspire me.
Q: What genre of music do you find yourself the most attracted to?
A: Recently I’ve been really into folk rock.
Q: What instruments do you play and which do you find the most useful?
A: I sing, play piano, saxophone, and guitar. I think piano is the most helpful because it’s a very visual instrument, so I can see the chords in front of me and really plan out every part of my song. Guitar is also pretty useful.
Q: Where do you get most of your musical inspiration from?
A: All the music legends from back in the day, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Simon and Garfunkel, people like that. Also my dad, he plays piano and sings, and is very inspiring.
Q: Last question; what is one word of advice that you would give to aspiring music artists?
A: I know this sounds corny, but I think it’s just important to remember to hold strong to what you believe in, and there will be always be people who dislike your music, but those people aren’t important, because even if only one person likes your music, that means that your music can be liked, and will be liked by many more people, you just haven’t found them yet. Side-note: I myself am an aspiring music artist, so I’m not sure I’m in a position to give advice.
for the record 