Episode 3: Rome Herbert
Cover art for my most recent song release, Holding On. I used photoshop to create the cover from the music video I had created for the song.
The microphone is crucial for capturing my vocals - however, mainly just the start of the process.
What Muncie Neighborhood do you live in?
Old West End
I call myself a:
Hip Hop Artist
How did you get started in your practice?
Originally I loved spoken word because my mom took me to open mics around my home city in Indianapolis, but I grew up loving to listen to hip hop. Eventually, I started writing my own rhymes and songs around 7 years old, and then started pursuing it seriously in high school.
Are you an artist full time? If no, what is your day job?
No unfortunately not yet :) I currently work part-time at my church as the director of outreach, run DoorDash and Uber Eats, and do music part-time.
How do you find time to make your work?
It's definitely helpful to have a schedule but really it comes down to making time for what you love. I have at least an hour blocked off each day for just brainstorming with humming melodies or song ideas plus writing, but I often still find myself getting hit with inspiration as I'm driving delivery or involved in other opportunities with my church or in the community.
The audio interface lets the mic, headphones, and speakers connect with the laptop.
What materials, instruments, or technology do you use in your practice?
I use a laptop, a microphone, speakers, headphones, and recording software Studio One (called a DAW - digital audio workstation). However, when I'm on the go or need to get out an idea, I'll often use the notes on my phone and type it out or hit the voice memo on my phone to hear how it sounds before I hit the official workspace.
What is your favorite thing in your studio / workspace?
I think my favorite thing is the speakers - I get to hear how things sound on a larger scale and brought to life. I've gone from punching out some on my phone - struggling to hear the audio and holding it up to my ear - to recording it in the studio and having the vision brought to life. I think it cements a feeling of finality to the process and reassurance.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration from my faith in Jesus, black people and stories of struggles they've overcome in this country, and other hip hop artists that I keep in rotation. I also think about the people in my life now and our interactions, from my friends to my girlfriend. On top of that, thinking on my life and my family and what we've had to overcome with mental illness always inspires me.
What is your favorite place in Muncie?
My favorite creative place would probably be any live show or almost event. I really love hip hop shows where I feel included as a part of the audience or discovering an artist who really moves me at a show or open mic. On top of that, if there is a community event that I'm passionate about it gives me fuel - I went to a prayer vigil for black lives that was inspirational, went to a Juneteenth celebration with spoken word artists and the community, and helped lead a protest over injustice in town. I think being near the emotions of people and experiencing them in real-time fuels then how I create, and I view those as creative places - any type of show or live event.
These are the studio headphones I record with but also playback and mix how the vocals from the mic sound and overall track.
What’s on your bookshelf or playing in your studio these days?
My studio is playing a lot of a hip hop artist out of Florida named KB, who has dropped a few songs this summer called Armies & 10k. He's one of my biggest inspirations because of his investment in his local community and life but also how he uses his faith in his music, plus seeing him live two times has been one of the most impactful artists on how I approach performances. I'm looking forward to the music he drops.
What other creative practitioners do you look to for inspiration?
Definitely like I said KB - I've seen him evolve as an artist and entrepreneur from a distance over 10 or so years, from signing to a very successful independent label to then launching his own clothing line and creating his own independent label to the point where he left the previous one that advanced his career tremendously.
What do you wish others knew about your practice?
I think in hip hop specifically, and music in general, the consumer really only knows the end product - especially with the way music is consumed now. Streaming is a helpful tool that has given people a wider access to a multitude of sounds, but people can often forget how much work actually goes into creating the actual tracks Some songs I've had stashed away for months or even up to a year may see the light of day, and others are never heard. Also, by the time most people hear it, I've listened and critiqued the song hundreds of times , as well as let others test run it and give their feedback. It really is a process that involves many ears, from the producers of the actual instrumental tracks, to the sound engineers who work on making it sound smooth (I mix most of my vocals myself but also get feedback during this process from others), to getting cover art for the songs and music videos since most people consume images and motion before the actual songs, to the final release and marketing of the material to get the word out to the people who support but then also those yet to hear. I'm learning to let more people into my process that'll help me expedite releases more efficiently, but I wish others knew the funds and time that it can take for even one song.
What is your favorite part about being an artist in Muncie?
My favorite part about being an artist in Muncie is a paradox because I would say it can at times be my least favorite lol. I think I enjoy the slower pace of a small town that lets me create without a constant sense of urgency like a city might, and also the space to jumpstart different ideas; for instance, I was hosting an open mic night for a few months before the pandemic and saw a lot of connection and collaboration opportunities with artists as a result of being a curator and emcee for the night. It's a balance I've been forced to learn while living here of when to initiate executing ideas, and when to allow for rhythms of rest and free creativity without the constant fear of missed opportunities that other environments can bring. On top of that, the cost of living frees me from the worry of creating to meet a financial threshold. Overall, I like the ability that this community has for me to execute ideas without numerous obstacles, and space to cultivate other ideas if one doesn't work.
This is the laptop but also the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software I use to record is pulled up, Studio One. This particular session has all the vocal and instrumental stems in it.
If you could be doing anything right now, what would it be?
Performing and being at a live show with more than 50 people ! The pandemic has really put a damper in live shows I had lined up and the open mic series I was planning on doing monthly. It's been interesting to pivot doing live-stream shows on facebook and instagram, but I personally feel like nothing replaces that in-person experience, and that's my favorite part of releasing my music - seeing people's reactions and experience of it to where they then become a part of the creative process.
Where can people see your work or learn more about you?
Definitely the best place to keep up with me that I live on is instagram at @rome.herbert ! My main push is Spotify right now because I just rebranded my name as Rome Herbert (was previously LJ). If you really rock with the content heavy, my patreon page is the bread and butter to get exclusive content before it's ever out - and sometimes the hidden gems that don't get released. https://www.patreon.com/m/romeherbert .
Any other inquiries, feel free to email me at doforthree@gmail.com.