Interview with Shelby Lock musician for film Dreamer
Shelby Lock, thanks for taking this interview. Ms. Lock, can you tell us that one story you wish everyone knew about yourself? https://shelbylock.com/bio/
Charlottesville, VA. Shelby Lock @shelbylockmusic is a pianist, composer, and audio engineer who also identifies as a person with a disability. She just released her new single “A Matter of Time” off her upcoming solo piano album at the end of May as part of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) Awareness Month
http://songwhip.com/shelbylock/a-matter-of-time
Ms. Lock, you are producing a wide variety of music. Can you tell a story about how you got into music? Can you tell a story about those activities, specifically any links which you share that you are your favorite?
I started learning piano when I was seven but quit after two years because I got bored. I began writing my own music when I was ten, and not long after that I knew that I wanted to be a professional composer. Needless to say, I returned to studying piano and never looked back! Two years later, I was at a music camp, and an instructor suggested I learn how to record my own songs. I went home and bought my first recording software, Logic Express 8.
I didn’t love audio engineering at first sight, especially because I was bad at it for a long while. Over time, it not only became an essential part of my own creative process, but something I enjoyed in its own right. I eventually knew being a producer or audio engineer was going to be part of my career, too.
A game-changer for me was being invited to studio Audio Engineering at the GRAMMY® Foundation’s GRAMMY Camp® music industry immersion program for high schoolers. Under the guidance of professional engineers, we had three days to learn the software Pro Tools and then five more to record and mix a whole album of original songs written by campers in the songwriting track. It was intense, but I loved every minute of it and learned so much. It confirmed I was on the right path and launched my career in some ways.
Ms. Lock, you have been directed by Clinton Siegle. What was that like?
He pretty much gave me free rein when it came to the music and the sound editing. He sent me the film and told me the intention of the different scenes, and then I found piano pieces of mine that fit.
https://vimeo.com/liftofffilmfestivals/review/819817347/1aba4393f4
Ms. Lock, the film you were part of Easterseal 5 minute challenge. What was that experience like?
The biggest challenge was what I did as a sound editor. All of the actors recorded themselves at home, mostly on their phone cameras. Anytime you’re working with that kind of audio as opposed to a studio recording, you encounter obstacles like background noise and the usual downsides of lossy audio formats. I used a lot of specialized tools to restore and enhance the audio to make it sound as good as possible.
An experimental film like Dreamer gives a lot of leeway in terms of what you can do sonically. I wanted what I did with the sound (specifically the reverb) to make the audience feel like they’re watching and listening to all of this unfold in a dream.
As far as the music, I found pieces I’d already written that fit the mood of the various scenes, and then I edited the recordings to fit in with the film better.
What part of the music business do you like the most?
I just love mixing, composing, and playing piano. I feel happy the moment I walk into my studio. I also like using my music or my audio engineering skills to do something positive. I enjoy making my mixing clients happy by helping them bring their music to life, and I love hearing from my own fans when my music has touched them in some way.
Ms. Lock, what genre of music do you or would you like to be part of?
I mainly compose classical music, and lately, solo piano music. As a mix engineer, I work with artists in classical and other acoustic-based genres like folk, indie pop, and singer-songwriter.
Ms. Lock, What has been your entertainment or what books/movies would you suggest for people to read or watch?
I’m a sci-fi nerd, so my favorite recent shows have been The Mandalorian, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Star Trek: Picard.
Ms. Lock, please tell my reader about your favorite past music you did? Where can people see it?(please provide link to platform)
My favorite piece of my own is an orchestra composition called “Out of Ashes” that the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra premiered a few years back. It’s about overcoming adversity, or rebirth after tragedy.
https://soundcloud.com/shelbylock/out-of-ashes-nashville-philharmonic-orchestra
Ms. Lock, the classic question: what charity do you support? Can you provide a link to it and explain your reason for supporting that charity?
I’m involved with three organizations, so I’ll tell you about all of them!
Charity-wise, I serve on the Community Advisory Board of the Neuroimmune Foundation. The Foundation provides support for neuroimmune patients and families as well as training for physicians to identify and treat neuroimmune conditions like PANS/PANDAS, encephalitis, and ME/CFS. The Community Advisory Board advises the foundation on how to better support patients.
I support Neuroimmune because I’ve experienced neuroimmune conditions myself, and I don’t want other patients to wait as many years as I did to get diagnosed. People with neuroimmune conditions are often misdiagnosed with mental illnesses and not given adequate medical, immune-based treatments as a result. Early diagnosis and treatment can save a life, or at least years of suffering. https://neuroimmune.org
Clinton found me through another organization I’m in called RAMPD, which comprises “Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities” who aim to elevate disability culture and create a more inclusive music industry. RAMPD is the place to be if you’re a professional musician with a disability! In addition to our advocacy work, there are members-only perks and it’s a great community that makes me feel less alone as a disabled professional musician. https://rampd.org
Finally, I’m in charge of the Audio Engineering Society’s new DEI Committee Accessibility Subcommittee. The AES is the international professional organization for audio engineers, and my subcommittee is helping to make sure the AES is welcoming and inclusive of engineers with all types of disabilities. Many audio engineers are afraid to disclose their disabilities to their employers for fear of how it might impact their career. I believe that having the AES openly supporting and welcoming disabled engineers will encourage some much needed change when it comes to how disability is perceived in the audio world. https://aes2.org/news/aes-dei-accessibility-subcommittee-created/
Ms. Lock, what is your dream musician to work with? With whom do you want to work with?
I don’t think I have one musician in particular I’d like to work with. I enjoy working with anyone who is talented, dedicated, and fun to work with. I do especially like working on projects that have a strong message behind them.
#filmfestivals
Easterseal
https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1499529476311093255
Lift-Off’s Filmmaker Sessions Online Film Festival
https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1495775369892990996
Lift-Off’s Filmmaker Sessions Online Film Festival is proud to present Dreamer, an experimental film that showcases the raw talent of true indie filmmakers. Directed by Clinton Robert Siegle and written by Clinton Siegle and Lucie de Jong, Dreamer follows the dream of an actress as she grapples with the challenges of collaborating on scenes, prompts, and themes related to the love for film. What sets Dreamer apart is its remarkable feature of featuring three disabled actors, including Natalie Oden, Leo Zemke, and Despina Mirou, as well as three on-production disabled members, Shelby Lock, Lucie de Jong, and Clinton Siegle. These individuals have overcome significant challenges to bring their unique perspectives to the film, and their performances are truly inspiring. The importance of supporting grassroots independent artists and filmmakers with limited budgets but big ideas cannot be overstated. These individuals are the lifeblood of the film industry, and they deserve our support and recognition. By attending Lift-Off’s Filmmaker Sessions Online Film Festival, you are not only supporting these talented individuals, but you are also helping to develop the next generation of filmmaking talent. Don't miss your chance to see Dreamer and other incredible films at Lift-Off’s Filmmaker Sessions Online Film Festival. The festival runs from May 1st - 15th, and tickets are available at https://liftoff.network. Watch the films from the comfort of your own home and experience the raw talent of true indie filmmakers. https://vimeo.com/liftofffilmfestivals/review/819817347/1aba4393f4
https://www.minds.com/Talon123/blog/interviews-with-an-infamous-clinton-r-siegle-1140340962022912000