My Name Is Harnek Nain
My Name Is Harnek Nain
I'm a music producer, beatmaker, and remixer born and raised in the UK. I love to produce with as many genres as possible, using real and virtual instruments like pianos, guitars, bass, synths, or pre-recorded sounds to make songs unique. I have had a true passion for music for all decades. It fascinates me how sounds and styles evolve!
I've produced songs in all genres, and versatility is my strength. Still, my main expertise is pop, EDM, hip-hop, ballad, bhangra, and Bollywood urban mixes for clubs. Basically, if it's designed to play loud, I love it.
I love to create and mashup up all different genres and come up with crazy sounds that work in the mix. That's what I always aim for.
As a producer, I always aim to make the song shine. Programming, instrumentation, sounds, and arrangement all exist to serve the song as a whole and to display the artist in the best possible light. Here on my website, not only can you listen to my music, but producers, newbies, or even pros can also download my sample packs to use in their own productions.
How did I first get into music?
I first started music by playing an Indian instrument, the dhol ( Indian drum ). But my first interaction with music would be with a pen and pencil and a school table. Rhythm, I would call it now. At the age of six, I was invited to a family party where a music band was performing, and I noticed the dhol, the sound, and the rhythm. It immediately got my attention, and from there, my interest just grew. As I got older, my father brought me a dhol from India at age 11, and I would practice every day. Most of the time, I would stay home and play the dhol and was not interested in going out with my friends to hang out or do anything else. At this stage, I was a self-taught dhol player, and everything I had learned was all by myself, with a few techniques from others around me who were also dhol players. I would not call it professional now, but the basic stuff. None of my friends were into music the way I was, but they were interested in listening to music, and that's when I was introduced to hip-hop. The lyrics or the song would not get my intention, but the music and the beats just spoke to me.
As time went along, I started playing the dhol with instrumentals, and I decided to record myself at home! It was not good at all, and that was when I began to research and hunt how these artists were doing it. The first time I booked a studio session was with my saved-up money from the paper round I used to do after school. It took me weeks, and I was completely clueless when I went to the studio. It was kind of crazy because a little kid coming to a studio on his own carrying a dhol on him was a funny sight. The engineer was like who else is with you?
Everything was new to me. It was another world, and I was amazed. My first recording was nothing like I imagined, and I walked out of the studio, still thinking about how these artists did it. That day I learned a lot. I saw for the first time how music was recorded and how it was done on a computer, software, mics, and all that stuff. Now I was on a mission, and my research had started. My mum brought me an MPC for my birthday! That's when everything began to fall into place for me.
What inspires me as a producer?
Learning to play the dhol, my inspiration earlier was Sukshinder Shinda. I was a huge fan of his because of his skill level and his music vibe. Another one of my inspirations would be Dr. Dre because his beats were so catchy and banging that I would listen to them all day without getting bored.
Inspirations keep changing as time goes along. What inspires me to make music is creating a vibe that people can listen to. Earlier I made music for myself, but now I make it for people.
In my opinion, what is that one thing every song must have?
I was into beats and music, but as I evolved into a music producer, I learned that the main thing is the actual song. The lyrics and the vocalist must be top-notch and must be able to deliver. Everything depends on the song, I'm not saying the beat is not essential. It definitely plays a huge role because you marriage the vocal and the beat together to create the music. Still, the lyrics, melody, and talent [the performer] must be delivered to a certain standard.
What makes me stand out from other music producers?
This is the music business. I joined really late. I was not really interested in standing out. I was just interested in making music because I enjoyed doing it. But I understand how the business works, and standing out is vital for your music to be heard. Mixing old classics with urban beats and releasing them on your own like a record label without relying on NOBODY. Doing it all on your own and being the boss.
What are, for me, the most important skills for a music producer?
As a music producer, it's essential to have music theory knowledge. It's also important to know how your equipment works fully! Inside out. When it comes to working with recording artists, it's important to understand their vision, their vibe, and their imagination. Listening skills, communication skills, and people skills. Understanding the business and how the music industry works is crucial because I've seen many artists fail in this area. It takes a lot of skill sets, and I can discuss them all day but first of all, know your own self! I will say that you should definitely master the skill of planning, and it will take you a long way.
What do I think is the most important aspect of music production?
Everything from the starting stage to the finishing product. Everyone involved plays a huge role, from recording to mastering basically from pre to post-production. Everyone involved in the creation must be at 100% because every little thing matters in the production process. Every piece of the puzzle must fit perfectly to the best of your abilities. Try to get the best results with the material and resources you have, figure it out, and find the best solutions within the project’s budget.