Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristen Stevens (Pretty Dim).
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all began when I started playing the drums at four years old, clearly because I was so young I didn’t really know what I was doing; I was just hitting them. But it sparked an interest, I quickly learned that I’m able to keep rhythm and tempo. So as I grew up, I consistently tapped on my desk, tapped my feet, etc., drove my teachers nuts. I always this urge to, well, “make a beat”. So once I got to high school, I started “making beats” on my iPhone, that’s when I REALLY started learning that producing might actually be something I’d be good at. So once I met my buddies Landyn and David, they introduced me to an actual home studio: Logic Pro 9, with some Logitech Speakers, and a red and black Midi keyboard…and MAN was I not ready.
Definitely, obviously, a huge difference between an iPhone beat process to an actual DAW beat process. But I didn’t let it discourage me, it actually gave me more interest, motivated me to really learn. So, that’s exactly what I did. I stayed working on my craft for about 4-5 years under the rug, would only show my closet friends and wouldn’t post/drop anything of my own either. But within these last 2-2 1/2 years, that’s all been changing. I’m now learning more about engineering (mixing and mastering), posting my own music, and placing production credits with some very talented Fort Worth/Dallas artists. I told myself “nobody is going to be able to like/be a fan of your music if you DON’T post or showcase anything”…and ever since, I’ve been working on not being under the rug, to be honest, I’m working to be one of the household Texas producers. To become one of the biggest Producers in Texas, then the next state, then another…I’m coming.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s never a smooth road, things have for sure gotten tough. But if you love what you’re doing, if it’s your passion, you work through it. Self-doubt, a lot of “no’s”, lack of knowledge, etc., ALL come into effect. But these are natural things every single artist, producer, engineer, designer, director, actor, etc., goes through. If your talent/passion involves art in ANY way, you’ve probably gone through one of those obstacles. So no, the road has not been as smooth as I would like for it to have been, but that’s what makes the goals I make for myself even more fun to try to achieve. I like a challenge, I want a challenge.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a producer out of Fort Worth, Texas. I’ve been producing/making beats for about the last 7-8 years and within the last 2-3, I’ve working more on making a name for myself, which would be: “Pretty Dim”. I’ve always been called a “Pretty Boy” since I was young, I’ve always had more of a sense of dressing up, fashion, style. My style changes all the time and I always try to find ways to look, well, good. Now for sound-wise, Pretty is a good adjective to use for my sound/music as well. Sometimes I try to make “beautiful” beats, ones that make you feel some type of way. Dim came from where my head was at the time, my mind wasn’t all the way in the light (happiness), but it also wasn’t in the dark (sadness). I felt like I was just in limbo, a state of numbness really.
So, I just put the two together and it was like an alter ego. “Dim” also can describe how my drums are always banging and for as much as I can make “pretty” beats I can make some hard darker beats. My catalog is wide, meaning I just love making music, I don’t have a favorite genre to make; I enjoy making (just about) everything. But if I’m on the production credit(s), you can definitely tell. Whether it’s my movement on my hi-hats or percussion, 808/sub hitting no matter what you play it on, some crazy melody or sample being flipped into a beat, or one of the easiest ways to tell; my tag: “aight den Pretty Boy!”…you’ll know its a Pretty Dim beat. Also, I just became head Ambassador/Executive of TRNDBEATS.com. A beat store that myself and other local Fort Worth Producers have put together to showcase/sell our instrumentals. Visit TRNDBEATS.com to shop for some quality beats/production. More updates and changes coming with all of it. Stay tuned.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I strive to get better each time I make a beat, that each one is better than the next. Or each mix/master I do is better than the next. I want to start diving into becoming a multi-branded Producer/Artist/Engineer/Designer/Model. I have no reason to limit myself, I have endless ideas not just with music. I want to dabble in just about everything. I want to be a Jack of All Trades.
As far as the next 5-10 years, simply just growth. I want to grow my notoriety, my knowledge, my talents, and my ideas each moment I get the chance to do so. So who knows, maybe a Label Deal, maybe a Label of my own, some HUGE placements that could ultimately change my life, etc. The results can be endless of where I’ll be in the next 5-10 years, but as long as I’m progressing every year, every month, every day, that’s the ultimate goal. If the top is waiting for me, then my presence is my power, and my power is my pace.
Pricing:
- Single Beat Lease – $25-$40
- Single Beat Exclusive – $150-$400
- All Rights Exclusive – $500-$1200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/prettydim
- Email: prettydimbeats@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thekidpretty
Image Credit:
Justin Acosta, Keenan Norwood
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