Interview with Ghost Producer Kyle Nash

How did you first get into production?
I got into music by accident! When I was twelve, I saw this app called Garageband that was installed on my laptop and I opened it up and just started making melodies and creating music just for fun. I decided that I wanted to improve my sounds and tracks so I downloaded FL Studio to get that more professional sounding mix. A couple of years ago, I bought Logic Pro and I’ve been using it for all my ghost productions since then.
 
Why did you decide to go the ghost producing route instead of paving a career under your own name?
I used to produce under my own artist name, but doing the same style and type of music bored me. It was just two years ago that I started getting interested in doing ghost productions and making tracks for others. That way I could branch out from what I had been making before and open doors to new genres.
 
Can you give us a profile of your general clientele?
Most of my clients are DJ’s or artists who need a ghosted track because they don’t have much knowledge about music production or they don’t have the time while they’re DJing or touring.
 
Also talk about your workload and time commitment to this venture. 
I spend around ten to thirty hours on a project. It all depends on my workflow, inspiration, and amount of work to get the sound right. This includes the mixdown and mastering process.
 
If you could also include some stats on which genres you’re asked to make the most, what’s in demand now?
The most popular genre that has been requested for the past six months has definitely been Future House but I get asked to make all sorts of music from Techno to Hardstyle. Despite what some people are saying, I think Big Room and Progressive are making their comeback this year… We’ll see!
 
Do you think that DJs who use ghost producers should be eligible to receive awards for their music?
Well that’s a tough question… I’m not a big fan of ranking artists and musicians, but if we do: we should separate DJ’s and producers because they’re different things! We all know DJ Mag is a popularity list and it’s not about being talented or making beautiful songs.
  
In an interview on UKF, a ghost producer stated that DJs were like circus clowns, what do you think about that statement?
Hmm, I’m not sure about it to be honest. In one way, it’s true because DJ’s are entertainers and showmen, but at the same time they’re also businessmen and hard workers. Electronic music is a serious business and involves a lot of money at that professional level. A successful DJ has to be able to sell tickets on his name, make radios hits, Spotify records, mainstage festival bangers, grow a fan-base on socials, and manage the team behind him; it’s not all just fun and games!
 
Have you had any legal complications or problems with a client so far?
I haven’t had any legal problems so far. I always sign a contract agreement and a clause of privacy with client to avoid misunderstanding and potential scams. You can learn more about my contract agreements here.
 
Do you have any other musical hustles at the moment or big projects coming up?
Well, I’m thinking about launching a new artist project soon… Very excited about it! Besides music, I’m studying science and physics at university.
 
On your site you have some demos you made in a lot of genres, what is your personal favorite to produce? Least favorite?
I used to be a Big Room artist, so that will always hold a special place in my heart. I also like Progressive and Future House a lot! I don’t have any least favorite genres; I’m a true music lover and all genres are interesting and give me different feelings and emotions.
 
What are some of your favorite styles of today?
I’m really liking Hip/Hop and R&B music at the moment. I discovered a new talent on Soundcloud recently who goes by “Always Never.” Definitely worth checking out because it’s really different than the usual EDM sounds!
 
Which genres do you think have stayed around past their expiration date? What is coming in to replace them?
To me it seems like Future Bounce and Melbourne Bounce aren’t really active genres. I think Hexagon Future House, Bass House and Psy-Trance are new trends for 2017 and 2018, but as I said before: Big Room and Progressive could come back stronger this year!
 
Tell us about your trip to Dancefair in Amsterdam.
It was my first time and it was very interesting! I was able to learn from masterclasses and meet a lot of producers. It’s definitely a must-do if you are a true music lover/producer. I included a slideshow below!

What is your process for making a song? 
Before buying a track, the client will choose reference tracks and sign a contract with me, the ghost producer. When a first payment is done (50% of the agreed upon price), I start working on the track and create a full drop and breakdown. The first preview is sent to the client only a few days after, and the client can decide to continue the track process or to cancel the order and ask for a refund if they track doesn’t fit their needs. If they do choose to continue, the ghost producer will send the completed preview of the track to the client in the next few days or weeks depending on the package ordered. After the client pays the remaining 50%, the full track package will be sent.
 
What are some of the most common problems you face when someone sends you a track they want done? 
When asking for a track, you’ve got to choose your reference tracks wisely because that’s going to be the guide for the ghost producer and serve as their inspiration. If you don’t choose the best reference track, you might be disappointed by the work. You can complete a form and create your new track here.

What has been some of the proudest moments of your career this far?
Sharing my music, melodies, and emotions is the best possible feeling and being able to do what I love the most every day has been really fulfilling!

A big thank you to Kyle Nash for sharing his experiences and opinions with us! Be sure to check out his site if you're in the market for ghost production services or would like to know more about what he does!
www.kylenashghostproducer.com
​Check out some of his work below!

Chris W. Lao

DJ, Writer, and Student