9 to 5: Chief engineer at Truphonic Recording Studio in West Ashley
Musical background: Studied audio technology and has helped record countless singles and some 20 albums for such artists as Timbaland, Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige
Accompanying him on the track: Dan Rainey on guitar
The story behind “How Do Ya Do”: “It’s about an experience I had walking around campus. I was late for an appointment and didn’t know where the building was, so I stopped a random person and got directions. But, rather than just getting directions and moving on with my day, I found a more profound meaning in my experience. I asked myself, Why do I only say hi to random strangers when I need something from them? What kind of message does that send out into the universe? What can I do to change this? So, it’s self-reflective. It’s me calling myself out. I’m trying to remind myself that it’s not Man vs. Man. We’re all here together, and humans need to embrace each other – which I think is something that is an underlying assumption on the College campus.
“That experience was still fresh in my mind when I was asked to write this song, and it just sparked the idea. It made me wonder what ever happened to people greeting each other on the street? What ever happened to people saying, How do you do? So I wrote this song posing the question, How do you do, what ever happened to you? So, a random person just saying ‘hi’ changed the course of my songwriting and, in turn, my life.”
The sound of the song: “I make my living as an engineer and producer, so when I write music, I’m actually going out on a limb. But this song is pretty typical of the kinds of sounds I like. It’s derived from an electronica feel to the drums. However, I’m a very traditional songwriter and my vibe is more organic instruments – and I really like that train-style drumbeat – so I had to walk that line carefully so it didn’t sound too synthetic and electronic. But, really, because I work with so many different kinds of artists, I don’t have a box. There’s nothing typical for me. I’m up for anything.”
Songwriting process: “I usually write from a conceptual standpoint – like in this song, I wanted to use this idea to bring out a deep emotional response. But lyrics come to me everywhere, no matter what I’m doing. I’m looking for songs in everything I do. I’m always trying to exercise that muscle. I don’t want to lose it.”
On taking computer science classes at the College: “I’m somebody who has to be doing something all the time, and I’ve started to focus on electrical engineering and computer science so I can build gear and develop software and plug-ins and things. The recording industry is going to continue to change dramatically, and I don’t want to be all dried up in 20 years because I didn’t learn the technologies I need to know. I’ve got to stay relevant.”
Check out more music by M.J. Fick.
Lyrics for “How Do Ya Do”
Give me a chance and I might be the one you dreamed of
Cause there’s a little voice inside that’s telling me I’m all you ever need
I can give you my heart, but God is the keeper of my soul
Keep that in mind and you might find a friend here on the street
But chances are, you’ll keep on walking right past me
And I’m that kind of guy who just keeps on walking by
How do ya do …
What ever happened to you?
What ever happened to you?
How do ya do …
We eat, we breathe, we drink when others don’t
But when you live in love you’ll help a perfect stranger on the street
Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see
We all want to be, but not everyone believes
So chances are, you’ll keep on walking right past me
And I’m that kind of guy who just keeps on walking by
How do ya do …
What ever happened to you?
What ever happened to you?
How do ya do …
Freedom, Freedom
Listen to all of the songs on The Soundtrack.
– Photos by Sully Sullivan
