As part of our Digital Native Artists (DNA) programme, young people taking part in songwriting and production sessions have written some questions to ask members of the team. Next up, introducing Noah Johnson.

Noah Johnson (He/Him) has been working with Southampton Music Hub since March 2020. Noah works both in-person and online from the Isle of Wight, providing music technology provision for young people.

How did you get started in music and with writing music, and how did that get you here?

I taught myself guitar as a child, and then started learning other instruments throughout my teenage years, including drums, keyboard and vocals. I attended a music making holiday club called Music Matters, and kept attending these clubs every half term and summer holiday. It gave me experience in production, song writing and performance. I then went to university (Platform 1 on the Isle of Wight) to study commercial music. After this I worked with some of the musicians I met at Music Matters and grew my work within community music projects. I moved down to the Isle of Wight in 2018 to study a Masters, and have stayed here since, working with schools and organisations on music technology provision for young people.

What genre(s) of music do you create?

I write electronic, ambient relaxed music, as well as pop and acoustic songwriter music. More recently I have been working on some more electronic styles of music and trying to branch out my understanding of different genres.

What instruments and tools are you using for recording?

My main tool is Logic Pro combined with some small synths and keyboards at home. I like to combine electronic synths with home-made samples and recordings. I also use Pro Tools for mixing music.

Which other artists inspire you?

Production wise, I love Bon iver, Brittany Howard, Ólafur Arnalds and Mitski. I am also creatively inspired by The Staves, Joni Mitchell and Sufjan Stevens.

What inspires you when you create music?

The best way to get my creative juices flowing is to give me a new instrument. Maybe a different style of guitar or synth, or an upright piano. I also find being in different spaces, such as local coffee shops, really helps open my brain up to new creative ideas, as well as going on long walks!

What's the most important piece of advice you have for aspiring musicians?

Really get to know yourself as a musician, and then work on being unashamedly you! It can feel like time is wasted when you spend time creating things that aren’t connected to who you are. The music industry is a tough cookie, so if you aren’t doing what you love, it becomes much harder!

Check out some of the tools in our ecosystem of music hub to find out more about making music your career.