Interview: DJ iShine
DJ iShine is back with his second studio album, the lo-fi 'In His Timing'. Louder Than The Music spoke with DJ iShine to find out how he started making music, the inspiration behind his new album, and his plans to record more music in the future.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
When I was in high school, it was tougher for me to make friends than it was in elementary/middle school. I went to a boarding school and with everyone from different parts of the country/world, it was a big adjustment. The boarding school I went to had a recording studio and I made a beat and sang a song to it. I unfortunately became the laughing stock of the school and it didn't really help that I didn't have the divide of school/home since home was already at school. I decided to learn how to make music properly with a couple of classmates that were experienced with DJing and producing and the rest is really history. I decided to turn a negative into a positive and this life in turn chose me. I then went on to put together a record label in college and host events in nightclubs near/around campus (Ohio University).
Tell us about your new album 'In His Timing' and what the inspiration behind it was?
My debut album "Suite 12" was a wrap up of my old life for me. I was making more pop/R&B beats with EDM twists and flairs to it. It was an album that I planned on putting out in college during the prime of my record label, 1SIDE Music but I decided to defer the opportunity for other artists on my label in hopes they would blow up and we would ride the wave together. It didn't happen like that. So after a few years and defunct of 1SIDE Music, I independently released "Suite 12" in 2015 and that album served it's purpose. It was the conclusion of a stage of my life where I was a boy and now music going forward, I would be more of a perspective as a married man with a business and hopes/dreams of being a father one day with my wife as a mother.
"In His Timing" came about when I was rediscovering my sound. In 2020, my wife and I suffered a miscarriage and both of us went through dark periods of our lives. I pushed to continue to make music and I decided that maybe it was time to sacrifice my sound to God, hence why all my tracks are "Christian" now. I started with Beats from God mixtapes then a made a big bundle mixtape called Journal of Instrumentals. From there, "In His Timing" was supposed to be another mixtape but it was quickly adopted as my sophomore album and I am proud to say this. This album is nothing but encouragement with conscious beats/instrumentals.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Absolutely, I plan on making another mixtape and a couple EPs before my 3rd album
What message would you like people to take from your music?
Never give up on what you're doing, keep working and pursuing. If people can't see the vision, let them be
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
My style is predominantly Hip-Hop/Soul with Lo-fi/R&B vibes. I've been a fan of Sarah Nathalie, Yoni Charis, & The Lofi Christian.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
It would be cool to work with Sarah Nathalie, Montell Fish, Bizzle, Mary Mary, and other Hip-Hop/R&B christian artists.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Being true to yourself. When you are yourself, life is just easier.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Frankly, I like "In His Timing". I'm very proud of the album!
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
"The Whispers - For Thou Art With Me
What does the next year hold for you?
Whatever God wants me to do, I will do it!
