Tell us who you are and what you do?
I am David Zhao aka DZhao Productions, a hip-hop producer from Seattle, Washington. I mainly produce my own original tracks, although I have used samples before. As a high school student, it’s hard to balance schoolwork, classical piano studies, swimming team and producing, but it’s those who support me (more into that later) and push me to carry on.

How did you come up with your name?
It should be pretty obvious, haha. The story about how that particular combination came from when I had to pick how I wanted my name to look on the school duffel bag. David Zhao was too long, so DZhao became my name on the duffel. I carried it over and made it my artist name because I felt the name was concise, but unique enough that I could make it my own.

Tell us about your studio set-up/space
My studio is a converted guestroom which had no use originally. First off in my studio is a dated Yamaha PSR-225GM which, although old, has never failed me. I have 2 laptops  which I split the work between (one for sampling/beat-making and the other for mixing). For the sound system, I have some Generic studio speakers, a mic and a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50. I use Fruity Loops Studio 10 Producer Edition (I know, people think it’s terrible, but it’s your skills that determines what you make, not entirely the software) for making my tracks. I am updating my gear slowly, but I hope in the future I can have some more equipment to supplement my producing.

How did you become a music producer?
I actually started out as a rapper, which didn’t go quite well. Two months after my “rap career” started, I ended it. I then started to contemplate what I could do in the hip-hop world. As I am a competitive classical pianist, I started to think I could produce hip-hop tracks using the music theory basis and classical knowledge I had already acquired. I made an impulse buy, and thus, FL Studio 10 came into my life. At first, I was discouraged, nothing really happened, and I was just making 4 bar drum patterns using the stock kit. I was in a desolate situation, when I decided to wander onto Youtube to find some help. To my surprise, there were tens of thousands of videos,  but I was attracted by two channels: Warbeats and Pav Productions. Both of them really helped launch my career by giving me the basics and with the support of friends and family, I started producing instrumentals, using my classical background to give it my own unique flair.

Who are your biggest influences?
Whew, there are so many that I could go on for days. I would say my biggest influences are Sir Mischief on Soundcloud (soundcloud.com/sirmischiefofficial), Kayne West, DJ Premier, and Alchemist.

What encourages you to carry on with music?
Definitely my family, friends, and my fans. My friends and fans, though, are the people who make me strive for the better, and keep producing music, always making sure to heed the critique I receive. It’s the thoughtful messages from rappers/produces all around the world, sometimes at midnight on Soundcloud that keeps me focused on the right path and constantly reminds me what good music does to people.

What do you think about the music industry and independent hip hop at the moment? Where do you think things are going in the next few years?
The Commercial music industry currently is in shatters. Most mainstream artists don’t seem to care about the quality and spiritual value of their tracks, it seems as though they are disconnected from the people who listen to them. Thankfully, the amount of unsigned, independent hip-hop artists are rising (thanks to the internet and the abundance of producers), and some bring with them the qualities of the “golden age” of hip-hop. I feel like mainstream hip-hop, if nothing dramatic changes, will eventually start becoming pop. Although this might not be good to some, music has a life of its own, and “bad” changes sometimes can turn out into unexpectedly good ways.

What have you been listening to recently?
Lots of stuff from Soundcloud, Nas, Slaughterhouse and some other artists. I’ve also taken a liking to some older jazz and rock records from the old days. I want to emphasize that the stuff on Soundcloud is not all amateur and “hippy” (that seems to be the general conclusion among the mainstream), and you can find the diamonds in the rough, the people who genuinely care about their music.

Biggest personal music achievement?
Probably performing at Benaroya Hall for my classical piano after being voted in the top 10 pianists in the Northwest, and also laying on the couch, hearing a good MC rapping over a beat you produced coming from a massive stereo system. Dat feeling.

What is your next big project, any big plans coming up?
I am releasing an album on iTunes, entitled “Recap” in the very near future. After that, I don’t really have a “big project”, I’ll just keep working with rappers on tracks, and hopefully gain some attention for my work.

Any last words?
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who supports me, doesn’t support me, and those who love hip-hop. You are the driving force for me, and also those around me.
Shoutout to Sir Mischief!

Like my facebook page: www.facebook.com/DZhaoProductions
Check me out on Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/dzhao-productions
Take a look at my new Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/dzhaoproductions

So, Thank you everyone!
-David Zhao from DZhao Productions