This or That: Andrew Canlon on His Creative Process, Collaboration, and the Future of His Music
Andrew Canlon is one of those rare talents whose creativity knows no bounds; whether he’s in the studio or performing live, Andrew embraces all facets of music-making with equal passion. Known for his genre-blurring productions and eclectic style, Canlon is a voice to watch in the Electronic music landscape. In this ‘This or That’ interview, we explore his preferences and approach to everything from vinyl vs. digital streaming to the age-old debate of live instruments vs. digital sounds.
We sat down with Andrew Canlon to dive deeper into his creative process and how he navigates the contrasting worlds of music production and live performance.
Live Performances or Studio Production?
Live Performances
Vocals or Instrumentals?
I like them both 😊
Solo Projects or Collaborations?
I’m learning to love working solo, but I still prefer to collaborate.
Old-School Vinyl or Digital Streaming?
Old-School Vinyl…only because they allowed artists to make money. Streaming has made it nearly impossible for (good) musicians to earn a reasonable income.
Energetic Beats or Chill Melodies?
Um…both?
Live Instruments or Digital Sounds?
Again, both haha
Writing Lyrics First or Composing Music First?
I know Billy Joel is famous for saying he does the same thing every time. I can’t remember if he starts with the vocals or instruments first, but it varies for me every single time. It depends which melody hits my brain first. Sometimes that’s a vocal hook or a lyrical hook or it’s just an instrumental idea. I love the challenge either way.
Intimate Club Performances or Large Festival Stages?
I’ve never played a large festival stage, so I’m going to say that.
Original Tracks or Remixes?
Original tracks. I still don’t fully understand remixes or what makes them great as opposed to recycled.
Logic Pro or Ableton Live?
If Logic was good enough for Juilliard, it’s good enough for me.
Andrew Canlon’s thoughtful approach to music shows that he’s not only a versatile artist but someone deeply invested in the craft and industry itself. His ability to merge both classic and modern influences, and his openness to experimenting with different sounds and techniques, reflect a promising future, and while he’s still figuring out his path between solo projects and collaborations, Canlon’s love for innovation and authenticity shines through in everything he does.