Today we’d like to introduce you to Oliver Kid.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Oliver. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My first experience with music was getting a drum set when I was about five years old. I didn’t really learn to play them until I was a teenager, but they were the first thing that made me fall in love with music. I got obsessed with playing drums for fun and learning how to play Blink-182 songs. Soon enough, I moved on from drumming when my brother bought a mixer, and I got really into DJing. I made my own DJ mixes that I released on SoundCloud, and I forced all my high school friends to listen to them.
My passion kept evolving over the years. I eventually discovered music production and songwriting, which is what I do now instead of DJing and drumming — although I still play drums sometimes when I go to the Guitar Center.
I was 17 years old when I left Venezuela to come to the US and study marketing in Chicago. During my first summer, I went to NYC to participate in a course in music production. This course helped me improve my music skills, and during that time, music started to become my favorite hobby. It was time to release some music after the course, so I released my first remix, and it won 1st place at a remix contest. I was shocked, but that’s when I started to believe that I could actually pursue music for real.
I then went on to lose a few remix contests, which I was sad about until my first “big thing” happened. I was home in Venezuela for vacation and invited my friend Obregon over to make some music together at my house. We ended up writing our single “Take Me” that day. Then we reached out to Mariana Thielen for her to record the vocals, and her voice sounded beautiful on the song. Today, that song has over 10 million streams, which is pretty crazy and was totally unexpected. The song even got played on the radio in South American countries and I did radio interviews and got my first press because of it.
In the meantime, I finished studying marketing, and I wanted to work on something related to music. I applied to lots of jobs and found a dream job in Miami, where I started as an intern at Warner Music Group and ended up being a marketing coordinator. My experience at Warner was amazing. I’m very grateful for it and I consider it one of the most important steps in my career so far. I learned so much about the business side of music and met a lot of great people that work in the music industry.
After a year of work experience, I left Warner and decided to go after my real dream of being a music producer and songwriter. At the moment, I am currently studying Music Business and Production here in Miami to develop my talents as a music producer/songwriter and to further my skills in the music business, which I consider really important too.
My last work experience was an internship in the music recording studio of Grammy-Nominated producer Sebastian Jacome, known as “Sebasjay”. During my internship, I got involved in many projects and learned about music studio life, which I fell in love with. A few of the projects I got involved in as co-producer were Alaya’s latest two singles, “Sola Solita” and “CHILL.” Go check those out!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Going on the path of pursuing a career in music has not been smooth, but it has been rewarding. I think the love I have for the creation and the craft of making songs compensates for all the stress and pressure that I’ve had at certain moments. Sometimes it has been hard to get out of my head and shut down the inner and outer voices that told me I’m not capable of achieving my goals and dreams. I have learned that as I work harder, I get better and my confidence grows, and I have also learned to be patient and to always have fun.
I’ve always had that safety net of my business marketing college education, but my desire and dedication to being a music producer have always outweighed that. At the same time, I’m very grateful for having a degree in marketing because it has opened doors and opportunities for me, and I think it complements my music career.
Last year when I finished working at Warner Music, I had to make the decision: focus on something more business and marketing related or pursue my real dream, what I consider to be my calling. I had to overcome the fear of going for the “safe” option, which for me was working on something only related to business.
I ultimately realized that if I don’t try it now, then when? To try it for me is to take the risk of dedicating most of my energy and time to grow as a musician. I went with my heart and started studying music business and production to strengthen my business and music production skills to prepare myself for my future career in music. Looking back, I am really happy with that decision and I believe I am going in the right direction.
Please tell us about your music.
I am Oliver Kid, a music producer and songwriter from Venezuela. Besides being a musician, I have a degree in marketing and have had work experience in the music business at Warner Music Group. I am currently doing a Music Business and Production degree at Miami Dade College. I think something that sets me apart from other music producers is that I am also a songwriter and a marketing professional. With my experience at Warner Music, I understand aspects of the business side that not all musicians have experienced. My knowledge in marketing also helps me to have a broader vision of not only making the music but also how to effectively and creatively promote the music.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t do anything differently. I am sure that everything that has happened to me along the way has served a purpose to get me where I am today. I am grateful for all of it.
Contact Info:
- Email: itsoliverkid@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_oliverkid/
Image Credit:
Jose Rodriguez – Instagram: @joemidence
Miguel Rodriguez – Instagram: @mer.lp
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