A conversation with classical music producer Wertyo

Today on our Hot Seat we have classical music producer Wertyo with us. Let’s have a chat with Wertyo.

Twist Online : First of all tell us about the start of your music career.
Wertyo : My grandpa was a country guitarist in the 50’s and passed away before I was born. His guitar was always around as a kid, so I naturally became interested in learning how to play one. I’ve always been writing music from the time I first picked up the guitar at ten. I still have piles of sheet music scribbled down from years ago, but I didn’t start formally releasing anything until I was in a metal band called “A Land Apart” in high school. We recorded one EP and played a few local shows, but it only lasted a couple of years. In 2017 I decided I wanted to try my hand at producing an album by myself, so I started work on my EP “Ego Death” under the name Wertyo. I picked the name from a nonsense word my childhood friend came up with when we were toddlers. It just kind of stuck with me for some reason. Since then, I’ve tried to keep things fresh by changing genres and concepts frequently.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into the music industry?
Wertyo : I’ve always looked for ways of expressing myself artistically, and I think music is the best way for me to do that. I like having complete control over the process from start to finish, which is a luxury other mediums don’t have.

Twist Online : Tell us about your upcoming album “LUNA // SOL” ?
Wertyo : LUNA // SOL is my first dual disc release. There are two distinct genres in this album, solo piano and film score, so I wanted to represent that dynamic in the structure of the album itself. The concept is centered around lunar and solar deities from around the world throughout history. In disc one, LUNA, each track is a theme for a different lunar god. These are solo piano pieces that are meant to soothe the listener into a tranquil state. In disc two, SOL, each track is a theme for a different solar god. These songs are inspired by epic film scores and are meant to capture your attention and race your heart.

Twist Online : Any particular track from the album that’s your favorite?
Wertyo : I think I’d have to pick track 5, “Dewi Ratih”, because it’s played on a Klavins Una Corda piano. This has to be one of, if not the, best sounding instrument in the world. Its so much softer and warmer than anything else I’ve heard. It really makes the song what it is.

Twist Online : What kind of response you have received from the release?
Wertyo : People are excited to hear it. It’s been a relatively long release gap for me, so its high time I got something new out there! I can’t wait to see what people think.

Twist Online : What attracts you more, Working in studios or performing on stage?
Wertyo : Definitely working in studios. I don’t really perform my music live- I prefer to just always be producing something new and interesting! I find more joy in working on projects than I do prepping for a live show, so I’ve pretty much just stuck to that.

Twist Online : What’s the best part of being a music producer?
Wertyo : Definitely having complete creative control over what I’m making, and being able to see a project come to fruition after being a bunch of fragments for months. That has to be the most satisfying part.

Twist Online : Have you set any goals to achieve?
Wertyo : Yeah I’d like to release a less acoustic, more synth inspired album this year (hopefully). I’m always interested in exploring new sounds and what kinds of concepts I can explore with them.
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Twist Online : Are you working on any new projects?
Wertyo : I’ve always got something on the back burner. At any given time I’ll have two or three projects going- it’s just a matter of finishing what interests me most at the time! Nothing concrete enough to share right now, though. For the next couple weeks I’m just going to relish in the completion of LUNA // SOL