Please introduce yourself, what you do, why you do it, and what you want people to know about you.
Hi my name is HEFF. I was born and raised in Burbank, California. I have always been writing, playing, and producing music throughout my whole life. I am a guitarist, composer, songwriter, and producer, and currently a student at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.
My latest single is a love song called “I Still Love You,” and I am working on recording and releasing more songs! I have performed widely in the Southern California area, including some of the most well-known venues such as Pauley Pavilion UCLA, Hotel Cafe, the Mint, and the Peppermint Club. Besides, I am also actively involved in scoring movies and working on the A&R side.
Please take a listen to “I Still Love You”: https://open.spotify.com/track/22Xuc5vPGHeg70CsLMXtiL?si=e478a9663fb84b60
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
Although I share the same kind of love and enthusiasm toward music just like everybody else in the industry, I aim to create sounds that are authentic and relatable. I take advantage of my music background in jazz, funk, blues, rock, and R&B to experiment with creating a unique sound that I called the “California Cool”.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
“Everlong” by Foo Fighters is one of my favorites growing up that I can always listen to. With that song, it captures the beauty of songwriting and the raw energy of rock and roll. It sounds great played acoustic or with a full-blown band. That level of likeness and versatility is what I try to have my songs be like.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to face is trying to break into the industry as an indie artist. It is crucial to make sure my music gets to the ears of the right people, but the process is not always straightforward, especially when new songs are being released by the thousands every day.
For me, I try to separate the creative songwriting process from marketing and promotion. I am recording and releasing music because I genuinely love to do so! I love writing, recording, producing, and performing music. While it is definitely a challenge to put music in front of people, I don’t want that fear of not being heard to enter my mindset when focusing on the creative process of making art.
When I create genuine and meaningful music that is authentic to my experience or who I am as a person, people will come around to hearing it, and even more, will stick around when marketed properly with my team.
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
John Mayer:
There’s a lot that we can discuss like: how to go about writing and producing a song, how he was able to get started at the beginning of his career, different guitar playing techniques, working with other artists and musicians, and potentially collaborating.
Rick Rubin:
Discussing the philosophy of being a producer and how to best transcend your career in the music industry. Also, potentially collaborating on a project.
Hans Zimmer:
Discuss the different ways of creating a film score that is incredibly interesting and done so in an unorthodox way. Also, to potentially work together on the music for a film.
Drop your social media links.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heffthedope/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heffthedope
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaDwXWd-88jH9Bg2s07edZA
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-tyler-heffley-b1a6311b9/