Today we’d like to introduce you to Parker Freiermuth.
Hi Parker, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My music career started at Barton Creek Elementary School as my music teacher, Ms. McNicholas, introduced me to music. She taught me how to read music at a young age and introduced me to different instruments and different forms of music. In fifth grade, I decided to pursue music outside of school and chose to do drum lessons. That carried into middle school as I tried out for the band and got into percussion. During my years in middle school, my musical taste and knowledge grew. When I entered 8th grade, I wanted to try DJing, leading to Electronic Music. I then took classes with David Trap in October 2019 and learned more about DJing and Music Production. As we did more classes and jam sessions over the months, the COVID lockdown hit, and everything stopped, and nobody could leave their house. It was the perfect time for me to practice music and expand. I got my first DJ board in 2021 during Covid, called Traktor S8. I also started buying my equipment to push me to the next level. I would stream online and DJ live, put mixes out, and post the first-ever music I made. I did lessons, practiced on my own, and watched tutorials on how to improve my music.
As we got into 2021, I picked up my game in DJing and started making a name for myself. As lockdown was slowly ending, more people became more comfortable with parties. I did small events at my house and other places to start building my name, and about halfway through 2021, I got my first real gig at Chapfest for Westlake High School. That sparked my interest and got my name out locally as we bought more equipment and stepped up my game even more. I was putting more time and money into this as I knew it was the right path I wanted to be on.
When 2022 came around, I felt like something was missing and started searching for that next opportunity. That’s when I came across DubAcadamy. This was the best choice we could have ever made as they had so much experience, so much to teach me, and just so much overall to offer. Brett Hopkins (Also known as WhoISee) showed me a whole new world in music that I hadn’t discovered and opened the doors to my future in music. Towards the summer of 2022, we started to do private lessons, and he showed me that Ableton was the way for me to continue to grow as this was the best DAW program that would allow me to do more things in music and do more easily and faster. I was kept and locked up initially, but once I opened up to him, I discovered this was the best thing ever! I started doing more DJ gigs as my skills improved at DubAcadamy, and my music slowly enhanced. During that summer of 2022, I got accepted into the NYU Institute of Music Technology Summer Camp, which gave me a different perspective on how to make music and collaborate with other artists. As the months and days passed, I could see a big improvement in my music and DJing. I could see a bright future for myself in music and decided to put even more time and resources into it.
As 2023 came around, I saw myself getting closer and closer to a goal I didn’t think I could reach at my age! During 2023, I kept getting gigs and improving through my focus on my music at DubAcadamy. I also got nominated by the Westlake Chamber of Commerce for Young Entrepreneur of the Year! It was huge for me as other people saw it in me and knew I had something to offer. Then, a few days later, I got the email that I was accepted into Grammy Camp for Electronic Music Production! This opened my eyes to seeing that others believed I have what it takes. When Grammy camp came around, I met Greg Chin, “Former Director of Avid,” who now works at Dolby Atmos as the Director of Creative Enablement. Seeing what he had to offer and what he could do with music was fantastic! Then, the next thing I know is that Matt Lang walked through the door!
A composer, producer, and Head of Audio content at Avid! In my short time there, he taught me many things about sound design and ways to warp and change a sound. When I got home, I knew I had many new tools at my disposal and new mentors I could get a different perspective from as we move into the present. I got the biggest gig of my lifetime at NOVA this November, and I am now learning from Trace “XYAN” at DubAcademy. He is now giving me his perspective and tricks on making music so that I will have more tools. I am just so grateful for the school I attended, the people I met, and the opportunities I have had. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this story and those who keep helping me chase my dreams!
PJ
(Optic Sky)
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road on the way as there have been some struggles with my communication as I have a speech impediment, and I am quiet and keep to myself. I have had struggles in life just being different from most people I am around since most of my friends don’t make music or aren’t involved with music as much anymore, so I build a greater connection with adults. Nothing is ever a smooth road, but we can patch it up and move on.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Music Producer. I have been working day and night behind the scenes to become my best. I have been learning all production aspects and continue looking to gain more experience. I am now specializing in Producing, Mixing and mastering, and DJing. I am known around my school and community for being the go-to DJ. My DJing events have funded my artist name, allowing me to learn and grow my original music. I am most proud of all the new music I am making as It will have a different impact on my future when I post it.
Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
There are a lot of things that make me happy in life. The things that make me the happiest are my dog, DJing, and making music with friends. My dog is just a small bundle of happiness, and she is the best dog ever, as she is exactly like me. DJing is just fun because I love playing loud music and being at parties. I love making music with friends because anything can happen, and it’s fun because it doesn’t have to be serious. And you can mess around until you make something you like, or you can just have fun.
Contact Info:
- Other: https://linktr.ee/opticsky
