A Conversation with 9TAILS

Over the past year 9TAILS has drawn significant attention on SoundCloud through persistent releases, clever wordplay, and catchy hooks. Generating a loyal following, capturing the minds of his fans and gaining respect from peers, the 19 year old Toronto based artist has a promising future ahead of him with no intention of slowing down. In the interview below the artist shares his thoughts on different influences, writing processes, aspirations and other curiosities.

UU: When did you start making music?

I started making music on 9TAILS about a year ago, but when I actually started playing music I was 6 years old and played guitar. Later when I was around 12 I started singing. Back then I didn’t write my own songs, it wasn’t until I was around 17/ 18 when I really started writing my own shit. That’s also when I found SoundCloud and thought it was lit.

UU: Were there any particular artists that you were initially drawn to on SoundCloud?

Yung lean, Lil Peep, Lil Tracy and Ugly God. I started going into the underground because of Yung Lean, originally over here it was a bit of a joke to listen to him, but then after like three days he was my favourite rapper. After that I just got inspired to discover and look into more artists.

UU: What were your favourite bands growing up?

The first CD I actually ever bought was Move Along by All American Rejects, they weren’t my favourite band I just really liked them at the time. Some of my favourite bands growing up though were Street Light Manifesto, 3 Days Grace and The Flatliners. I was really into punk and rock but rap wise a ton of Toronto shit. It’s around me and it’s pretty cool to live in a city that produces so much music.

UU: How do you go about writing a song, regarding a process?

Recently I’ve gone down a slightly different route with my layering. But way back I would record 3 layers usually. First I would do different melodies on each track, then I’d record ad-libs on that, record really loud screams and chop the beat up. A lot of people write their entire songs before they record but I usually write my song while I’m making it. I’ll listen to the beat, pause, write something and keep going, vibe to it and come up with flows.

UU: How often do you record?

The most amount tracks I’ve done in a day is three. When I’m making an album I’ll do one or two in a day but usually I like to do it as a daily process type of thing doing one song each day.

UU: Do you record sober?

*long pause* Probably rarely, sometimes… majority no. I just feel like I can focus on it more and get lost in the project at hand.

UU: How do you write lyrics?

I try to stick to shit that’s relevant to my life because I feel anything that’s relevant to your life is delivered more passionately because you feel more experienced in it. You mean it and that makes it more powerful.

UU: What program/workstation do you use? What’s your setup?

Way back I used audacity, then blue snowball. Eventually I started using fl, it was actually a demo version at first and I’d create songs in one sitting. Which is why I now usually make songs in one sitting as well, it’s harder for me to make it in two because I can lose track of the thought train for that song. I’m looking into buying a new mic soon but the one I’m using at the moment is an Audio Technica 3525. I record on a regular desktop, nothing special, then I do everything else on an Acer predator laptop. Writing wise I use Microsoft note pad, I’m always using a program so it’s just so easy to bring up and open.

UU: Do you want to perform live?

I definitely do, but I don’t know when. I think it’s something I’ll grow into.

UU: What are your plans for 2018?

Just making music, if something pops up that happens. Ima try pump out a shit ton of tracks, and release shirts and hoodies soon. Can’t wait to get it out.

UU: When you’re not making music what are you up to?

I work in electrical during the week, I play a lot of World of Warcraft, I go on discord. It’s cold right now but usually in the summer I’ll be going out, reaching parties and shit like that.

UU: Do you want to get grillz?

Na I don’t think grillz are for me, but grillz are fucking dope.

UU: Do you have any plans for tattoos?

Yeah I have one idea for a tattoo but I don’t want anyone to steal it. (Tattoo idea undisclosed. Sorry.)

UU: What’s your diet like?

I try to eat pretty healthy. My biggest weakness is Mr.Noodles, if it’s in the house I’ll polish that shit off. Microwave ramen is so good. I don’t know how they do it.

UU: What’s the deal with the references to Camelbaks?

I had some line about jewelry and everyone says icy, wet, water bottle etc. I thought what else is wet..? – a fucking camelbak! I grew up with a lot of Canadian friends, I’d go to their cottages and we’d go hiking and drink from them, they were sick. I swear they could market their brand into street wear. You could fucking ice out a camelbak.

UU: Any message for your fans?

Without fans I’d just be some guy making songs. Also everybody is so nice, I love the positive vibes, people hit me up just to be like “awesome music dude” and that’s it. Sometimes it feels bad cause I can’t get back to a lot of people, I’m just really fucking bad with social media sometimes.