Have you heard the song “Stereo Hearts” by the Gym Class Heroes and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine? Or “Video Games” by Lana Del Rey? Or “Shame On Me” by Avicii? Or “Take Me Home” by Cash Cash? Or “Wasted Love” by Matt McAndrew? Well, then you’re familiar with the work of Sterling Fox.
Sterling Fox – who was one-half of the production/songwriting duo Robopop – originally moved to New York City in 2007 following a stint as a cruise ship pianist. He found footing shortly after moving here as a sideman and producer for other artists. His first big project was in co-writing and co-producing the aforementioned “Stereo Hearts” in 2011. Since then, he’s also written and/or produced for the likes of Adam Lambert, Lindsey Stirling, Boyz II Men and Elle King.
While many producers and songwriters opt to stay in the background and stick with what they know best, Sterling has also made inroads as a solo artist as of late. He currently has a full-length solo album in the works; earlier this year, “Freak Caroline,” which is likely to be featured on that release, hit #1 on the Hype Machine chart. This forthcoming album will be put out through Sterling’s own Silver Scream Records, which regularly features singles by collaborators of Sterling.
Sterling Fox kindly tackled some questions for the “Really Busy People” column over e-mail. His comparison of his career to playing the lottery was thought-provoking to me, as who truly knows when their creative impulses are truly destined for long-term successes? To hear more from Sterling Fox, you can check out his Soundcloud page: http://www.soundcloud.com/sterlingfox.
I first met you when you were playing in April Smith’s backing band. How much do you enjoy the process of playing music when you didn’t necessarily write or produce it?
Sterling Fox: I love making music. I think if you are playing with great musicians that always helps to make it enjoyable, whether you write it or not.
How did Brandon Lowry become Sterling Fox?
S: I was in Atlantic City a few years ago and there was a cheap fox mask laying on the bed of the hotel room when I checked in. I decided to wear it around and hence “fox.” On the drive back to New York, I kind of put the pseudonym together. It’s also an homage to Michael J. Fox – the Back To The Future guitar scene inspired me to do music growing up.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about being a working producer and songwriter?
S: That we get paid up front. Almost everything is done on spec when writing for other artists, even at the highest level of songwriting. It’s like playing the lottery.
How much of what you do is based on personal relationships versus having a manager or publisher bring you an assignment?
S: It’s a balance between the two. Having some friends help you out certainly takes a lot of pressure off. I’ve been lucky enough to have a few great friends here in New York City helping me through the years.
Has experiencing success as a songwriter and producer led to better deal offers coming your way? Or do you still have to negotiate to get what you feel you deserve?
S: It hasn’t changed that much, to be honest. You constantly have to reinvent yourself, your sound, and your approach to remain relevant and keep things fresh for yourself. It takes a lot of hard work to have long-term success in music. On the business end, nobody’s really getting what they deserve due to the streaming royalty mess, so I could complain about that, but everybody’s in the same boat.
What was the first project you ever worked on that you were proud of?
S: That’s hard to say. I’m very critical of my music and anything I work on. My creative process is looking for things that are wrong with songs and fixing them and sculpting them that way. Because of that process, it’s hard for me to be proud necessarily of things I do, because by the end of the writing process my relationship with the song is typically at an impasse so to speak. I do still like most of my own songs that I self-release though.
Was there a project that gave you reassurance that you could be making a living within music?
S: No, my own music is a charity operation/therapy. The first thing I worked on that made me realize I could have a career was the song “Stereo Hearts.”
On your Wikipedia page, under the Boyz II Men entry, it jokingly notes that the song charted at #2 on your “Childhood Dreams Chart.” What is or was the #1 on that chart?
S: Jokes…maybe Ace of Base or Andrew Lloyd Webber.
What led to the realization that it was time to focus on your own solo career?
S: I’m still not 100 percent focused on it. I spend half my time still writing for other artists’ albums and the other half dabbling around with my own project. I can’t be completely delusional and throw my songwriting career away just yet.
Do you have any goals for Silver Scream Records as a label? Do you plan to run it as a traditional record label?
S: It’s just a fun side project for me at the moment. We put out singles that I personally love, and don’t sign the artists to contracts that go beyond one song. It’s just a way to help out up and coming acts that need a confidence boost. I also self-release my own stuff on the label. We’ve put out maybe 20 releases so far and are always looking for new acts to work with. It’s very non-corporate.
Are there tools or apps that you regularly rely on to stay productive or focused?
S: I use [the] Voice Notes [app] on my cell phone constantly for song ideas. There are thousands of silly little ideas on there that I mumble at 3 a.m. or on the subway platform. If you see a weird guy with green hair talking to himself on the PATH train, that’s probably me recording a new song idea.
Do you have a routine or method for getting in a creative mode?
S: Not really, it typically comes pretty easily. I have to do something creative every day. If I’m not writing a song, I’m editing a music video or taking photos or doing something artsy. Sometimes I watch films to get inspired.
For someone that is an aspiring songwriter or producer for a career, what is the best advice you can pass along?
S: Learn as much as possible from other people and always try to improve. If you remain stuck in your current skill set, the world will evolve while you remain stagnant. There’s never going to be a moment of arrival, so just keep working.
Is there anything that you’re hoping to do or accomplish outside of the musical realm?
S: I want to make a feature film some day. Cinema is my second love, so it would be fun to do something in that format beyond just music videos.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your time?
S: I go see live music, occasionally watch sports and eat pizza, surf Tinder, look up porn…you know…typical mindless shit.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
S: Don’t take yourself too seriously.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
