The man behind hit K-Pop artist Kim Hyun Joong’s “Break Down”, “Lucky” and “Heat” albums has arrived to BTSCelebs virtual studios!
The K-Pop megastar Behind -The- Scenes not only works with Japan’s number one selling K-pop recording artist of 2012. He is one of the industry’s finest go-to music men. Check out his introduction to BTSCelebs below:
“Hi, my name is Steven Lee, founder of STUDIO NES music production and a music producer/A&R at Essel Music Publishing. I’ve been working in J-pop/K-pop music industry as a music producer, and have worked with numerous successful artists in Japan & Korea such as; KAT-TUN, SS501, Hey! Say! Jump, Kim Hyun Joong, SHINee, Super Junior, Kis-My-Ft2, V6, TVXQ, Takizawa Hideaki, A-JAX, Sexy Zone, Wheesung, US5, Johnny’s Jr, W, Aikawa Nanase, Van Tomiko(Do As Infinity), Heo Young Saeng, Varsity Fanclub, Ian Thomas, Park Yong Ha, Biyuden, Lee Joon gi, Rainbow, 4Minute, Rain, Girls’ Generation, and many others. Please visit my production website www.studio-nes.com for a full discography information.”
Next week, you can read his responses to the following questions:
How did you get your start in the music industry?
What are the steps in creating a hit song?
How many people are involved in the process of creating one song? What are their roles?
How long does it take to compose and complete an entire album?
With the recent global phenomena of K-pop, what are the odds of an foreigner getting their song material on a K-pop album?
What is the first feeling you have when you hear your song on the radio?**
Who do you want to write music for the most?**
What is your favorite time of day or night to compose?**
What is in your CD player right now? **
If you could take any Kpop act and make them famous worldwide, who would it be and why?**
A Special Thanks to Steven Lee for the quote and photo
**A BTS Thanks to BTSCelebs Team Member Anna for her interview questions**
Veteran producer and Trophy Entertainment’s newest addition talks K-Pop (part 2) with BTSCelebs! Find out what K-Pop hits he is currently working on as he walk us thru the recording process and much more.
BTSCelebs: What K-Pop hits are you working on now? Jun Areia: Trophy artists like Andamiro and CHI CHI are my priority right now. As a freelancer, I’m making songs for pretty much everybody from f(x) to Big Bang and Miss-A. Getting those songs produced and released is another story as the higher you get in names the more the competition. Even in small companies there are a large number of songwriters working on songs. Resting for just one day could easily put your song out of the release no matter if recorded and produced. Except original songs, getting official remixes to work with (the upcoming CHI CHI “Love Is Energy” for example) pretty much makes every other remix I’ve been doing look pitiful. The production level, the crystal clear multichannel vocals, the opportunity to get that remix published, listening to the remix with the idols and its original producer… I can even get the idols to record a new phrase of the song just for my remix. After that, it is very hard to go back remixing a song which I don’t have any vocal source and no connection with its creators whatsoever. It has been though the way I reached here and I will never leave my fanbase disappointed. So after releasing the remixes under the “working on” section of my website, I will be attempting to get more official remix releases.
Walk us thru the K-pop recording process:
It all starts with a demo. If it is chosen by the CEO it will be given a chance. The singer will be given a day to practice the lyrics and then will be called in for recording. It is a very hard process that usually takes a while (a day) but it can get significantly more, especially in the case of groups. Directing the session is a nightmare as you will have to bring the best out of the singer. Except that it requires a lot of experience to make on-the-fly decisions about whether the phrase just recorded was good enough since monitoring the last recording seriously disturbs the singer’s pace. Personally, I also struggled a lot with missing Korean vocabulary needed to express all those billions of ways a single word can be sung. After the recording is perfected, there is a lot of engineering work too, involving fine-tuning each syllable pitch and time wise.
I have been interested in working BTS in the music industry, what are the odds of an foreigner (especially American) getting their song material on a K-Pop album? While the music is everything there are two other very important factors that can significantly boost your chances: Understanding of the Korean culture and language and living in Korea. Korea isn’t the most meritocratic society and the production process is usually performed by a “family”-like team. In order for you to make it into the family you have to understand the culture, speak with them in their language and most importantly being here. Sending songs from abroad isn’t that bad but even if they are chosen, just the time and effort required to convey some little information then change it and send it back kills the production process. Your song will be out of production and replaced by somebody else’s, that is actually in the studio and worked out his version already. In addition, the more complete your demo is the more the chances.
Are you a fan of BTSCelebs? Do you think you will be after this interview? Yes ,I will be reading from now on!
From 2002-2007, I was a huge Gilmore Girls fan! (Hence my old blog name) Lorelai and Rory were my go to girls every Tuesday night on The WB. After catching up on all the 2000-2001 episodes via Gilmore Beginnings and ABC Familyreruns, I throughly enjoyed the show with my family year after year.
Today, I discovered that the actress that played Rory (Alexis Bledel) and proud Obama 2012 supporter just joined the Twittersphere!
If you loved her in Gilmore Girls , Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Tuck Everlasting, Post Grad and a variety of other productions, make sure you follow her @AlexisBledel and tell her BTSCelebs sent you 🙂
What did Matt Anderson do for the Labor Day weekend?
According to his tweets, he lived it up in New York City! On August 28th, Matt announced his arrival in the Big Apple.
“In the big apple for the first time…excited to see one the greatest cities in the world with a great friend Evan Patak, #tweetyourfavspots”
What did he do during his stay? Check out some of his tweets below:
“Gr8 walk about the city down to SoHo, thru times & union sq and the NYU campus. Time for lunch @SpringStreetNaturalRefreshment
Chillin rooftop @davidburkestreetoplounge debating lounges to go to for an after dinner drink tonight…
Just had the best steak dinner of my life @striphousesteakhouse
Great dinner @CanyonRoadGrill, heading out for an after dinner drink then off to bed, big weekend of fun ahead of us”
Now, I know you want to see what Olympians eat after the games a over, right? Here are a few dishes the 6 foot 10 inch Volleyball Player shared with his Twittersphere…..
“A little antipasto to start off the night”
“….house salad served in a crisp parmesan cheese bowl pic”
BTSCelebs: Please introduce yourself to BTSCelebs readers:
Jun Areia: My name is Jun Areia. I’m a songwriter, sound designer and producer for Korean Pop music. I moved to Seoul in 2010 where after learning the language for a year, I work as a freelancer with various companies.
How did you become a music producer? I have been making music since the late 90s with several albums released with me as an indie artist. During those days, I developed an understanding of sound design, arrangement and vocals. Also, I wrote a large number of songs, lyrics and engineered for several indie artists. After completing my degree in Audio Technology, I realized that engineering is half of the recipe and musical knowledge is a must. So my efforts turned into studying music theory and harmonization,as well as, learning how to play the piano and guitar. During my second degree (this time in Video Games Development), I felt something was lacking from all those Kpop songs. I wanted to watch those music videos and the idols under stronger and sexier beats. That’s when I started writing new music for popular kpop songs. The name was “areia remix” and it became the most subscribed kpop remake brand online. I started releasing its real potential only a year ago and therefore I made the choice to give it a serious go and here I am today.
You’re from Greece, what is the music industry like in your country? Greece has a traditional connection with music and it’s a fundamental need rather than pop culture. Singers are worshipped for their beauty as everywhere else but singing is the most important element rather than dancing or looks. Debut ages are also different than Korea as most singers start in their late 20s and can go on for several decades. Songs with deep lyrics can also become as popular as simpler songs. The production budgets though don’t come anywhere near Korea. Unfortunately, there is a lot of musical and engineering talent going to waste.
Who is your favorite Greek recording artist? I grew up on trance and rave music and I had to contrast that somehow so all my favourite Greek artists were rock bands with deep lyrics. Such bands include “Diafana Krina” and “Ksilina Spathia”.
What sparked your interest in K-Pop?
I was already into Japanese Pop (Jpop) since 2001 and it was about the time that Lee Hyori’s 10 minutes was out that I started liking and observing K-Pop. Chae Yeon’s “Two of us” and later Wonder Girl’s “Tell Me” where some of the first songs that captivated my interested.
How did your working relationship with Trophy Entertainment begin? In any kind of career the most important thing is gaining the understanding of how it works. While I’ve been pushing myself for better and better works, I was lacking a specific part of that understanding. Those days I had a chat with [f(x)’s]Electric Shock’s composers and they have gave me some important insights that included exactly that missing part. When Trophy contacted me requesting some samples I knew exactly what to send and the next day I was there meeting the CEO and I was assigned some work.
Next week, Areia will tell us what K-Pop hits he is currently working on, walk us thru the recording process and much more!
*A Special Thanks to Jun Areia for the interview and photos*
Have you missed the religious crooner from NBC’s “The Voice”?
Pastor’s kid and Recording Artist Anthony Evans will be making his return to the small screen this fall on ABC’s “Suburgatory”. The last time American viewers saw him perform with his smooth vocals was with Christina Aguilera‘s team on “The Voice”. On August 31st, Anthony tweeted the following message in anticipation of his acting debut,
“New opportunity today. On set, on camera. #dope #takingachances #suburgatory”
Set your DVRs to watch Anthony!
All rights to the images and quote belong to @AnthonyEvansJr
The Dove Award winning and Grammy nominated CCM artists Jamie Grace and Natalie Grant tweeted their whereabouts today. The two recording queens attended the wedding of Tiffany Thurston in Hawaii. The indie singer and back-up vocalist brought the tweets out!
Check out Natalie and Jamie’s tweets below:
Natalie: “Celebrating the bride @tiffanythurston at a bridal breakfast :)…”
Jamie: “‘@blancareyes: We made it to Hawaii! That 9hr flight was no joke! @tiffanythurston here we come! #spiffywedding'”
“no, i’m not in Hawaii w @karijobe & @blancacallahan for the#spiffywedding…”
You watched 5- time Grammy Winner TobyMac on Good Morning America with Mandisa, now sit back and enjoy my review of his new album “Eye On It”.
1. Me Without You: Do you ever feel lost? I know I do. TobyMac’s first single is all about finding oneself in God. Christianity can help many (including myself) discover who you are and lead you the right way. The dance tune is ready for a Christian club, but its lyrics are meant for the heart.
2. Steal My Show – This somber yet catchy tune talks about letting God take over your life. Specifically, Toby describes how he lets God take over his performances. He expresses his need for God to use his “shows”.
3. Eye On It – Is a powerful anthem! It describes a Christian’s purpose to run the good race toward God. Heaven is the ultimate goal he is aiming for. Toby is rejecting the things of the world to remain on the only road that leads to salvation.
4. Forgiveness (ft. Lecrae) – Have you ever wanted to be forgiven for your faults? Well, the track “forgiveness” is about just that. The slow sweet rap tune gives listeners the assurance that everyone needs forgiveness…. and God forgives you for everything. The track features Christian hip hop artist Lecrae Moore.
5. Speak Life – Words can cut you in half! That is precisely why the song “Speak Life” tells music lovers to speak positive words to others. You never know if your words will influence someone to take their own life or begin anew. You can bring hope and love into people’s lives.
6. Unstoppable (ft Group1Crew’s Bianca) – This song’s message returns to Toby’s “Jesus Freak”days (with dc Talk). The rock infused rap mix is addicting for the true music lover. The message is all about Christians being different in the world and that our eyes are on the ultimate prize of Heaven. Christians are Unstoppable!The song features the vocals of hip hip group Group 1 Crew’s front lady Bianca.
7. Lose Myself – “I want to lose myself to find you” are the lyrics from Toby’s song about denying the lusts and desires of the world to become the person God wants you to be. He tells God in the song He wants Him to mold him and completely lose himself in Him. The outer space like music is the perfect workout track, as well as, a soundtrack to any motion picture production.
8. Family – Fight for your family! Toby expresses his desire to fight to keep marriage together. Obstacles may come, but never let anything break your union (and family). God put it together and Toby’s slow ballad makes you believe in the power of family all over again.
9. Thankful For You – This is a song of thanks to God. God took him to places he never dreamt he would go. Starting from humble beginnings to the CCM superstar he is now was all God’s doing. Toby acknowledges his thanks to his Heavenly Father for every door in his life that has opened. The steady urban beat is impossible not to love.
10. Made For Me – This single is about the perfect match in one’s life. He talks about his wife… the one God designed and made just for him. It’s like a man’s version of Rebecca St. James’ “Wait For Me”….after the wedding. The up-tempo Jamaican tune is sure to please all the romantics out there.
11. Mac Daddy (Tru’s Reality) – Toby’s son Truett steps up to the mic to express his desire to make his own music. The song shows Toby’s son asking his father for a “Mac” (electronics and modern tools to create music) and Toby instilling a good work ethic in his offspring. This fun song has a morally good message for all.
12. Favorite Song– The final track (before the remixes) is about one’s joy being in God’s presence. The duet (with fellow CCM artist Jaime Grace) talks about someone living to God’s beat. Someone has accepted Christ and become a new Christian. God is now “like a lyric to his favorite song”.
The deluxe edition features HOT remixes of the following tracks:
Me Without You
Steal My Show
Lose Myself
Family
Loud and Clear ( the song ft. his son Truett from his 2010 album “Tonight“)
*A Special Thanks to Brian from The M Collective and TobyMac for the digital version of “Eye On It”*
The veteran producer from Greece Jun Areia is Trophy Entertainment’s newest producer.
Areia, who has been making music since the late 1990s, joined Trophy to work with K-Pop artists Andamiro andChi-Chi.
This summer, I was able to chat with him about his current work in the K-Pop industry. He graciously responded to questions like the following:
How did you become a music producer?
You’re from Greece, what is the music industry like in your country?
Who is your favorite Greek recording artist?
What sparked your interest in K-Pop?
How did your working relationship with Trophy Entertainment begin?
What K-Pop hits are you working on now?
Walk us thru the K-pop recording process:
I have been interested in working BTS in the music industry, what are the odds of an foreigner (especially American) getting their song material on a K-Pop album?
Check back next week for BTSCelebs interview with Areia.
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