Entrepreneurship is essential for musicians, songwriters, and producers

Kevin grew up as far south in Sweden as you can get, specifically in Ystad. He doesn't have a background with musicians in the family, but the interest in music was cultivated early at home.

"My parents like music and always had MTV on when I was little – I was enchanted in front of the TV watching. So even though mom and dad don't practice music themselves, they passed on an interest."

It was during high school, where he studied the science program, that Kevin started to make his music interest a reality.

"I've always liked singing and writing fictional stories. So I wanted to try writing and producing music. I used the computer, and I still do because I hardly play any instruments. I mostly create electronically. I noticed after a while that writing songs was something I had a talent for. However, I hadn't produced much, so I needed to learn that."

Kevin had been writing and producing music himself for 5-6 years before applying to the music production programme. It ended up being Ingesund somewhat by chance; he stumbled upon Arvika on antagning.se. The entrance exam seemed to be at the right level for him, and the programme felt accessible and looked good.

"Before the education, I worked in a grocery store. I had also studied some small courses at a higher level in English, home studio, and a distance course in music theory. It was a small taste, but music is a passion, and when I applied to Ingesund, I wanted to seriously pursue it. I was around 23 when I started and was one of the older ones in my class, but it's never too late, and I absolutely think you should dare to follow your dreams."

Kevin will graduate later this spring when he and his classmates become the first to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the music production program at Ingesund School of Music.

"This programme is very broad, maybe broader than I had thought, which was a pleasant surprise. It's not just that we sit in front of the computer and produce; we also talk about legislation around music, music theory, entrepreneurship, marketing, and much more that you as a producer can use. We've also had some guest lecturers who have been very good because they work within our sphere. Not least in Kpop and film music. I would have liked more time with our guest professor Jenny Wilson as she brings a perspective as an active creator and producer that our teachers don't have. But I'm also very satisfied with our teachers; it shows that they like teaching, that they love music as much as we do, and that they do everything to help us. They are very engaged! It shows a bit that it's the first time they're running a bachelor's program; some courses are completely new and can only get better. But that's how it is when something is new, and it would have been the same regardless of which program or institution it is. There's potential to be as good as possible."

The music industry is sometimes tough and challenging. What should an aspiring music producer think about?

"Just keep working and making music, be open and try to learn as much as possible. Have fun; it's a passion to work with music! Show yourself as a producer, artist, and how you want to be. It can be a bit tricky for a creative person, but show yourself to the world. Entrepreneurship is essential as a musician, songwriter, and producer. It's a must, whether you think it's fun or not. If you're going to work with this, 50 percent is about marketing. I try to be visible on my social channels, I also use my networks, and I try to be visible through Ingesund as long as I'm here. Instagram or TikTok, that's where you can most easily be seen and discovered. It's also a bit about luck, but it's also about playing along with how the algorithms work."

Now awaits a future as an educated music producer, what does your job dream look like?

"I will move back to the South of Sweden. If I can dream, I want to be able to work with music full-time, both with songwriting and production as a freelancer. I feel most at home generally within pop music, and then mostly electronic productions. Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga – I love making that type of music. It's about continuing to market myself and maintaining my network. Ideally, my work will reach an artist who likes what I do and wants to work with me."