1/ So First Off - Tell Us your Name, City and Country and what you currently do for a living?
Lyris Greene - Music to Curator
My name is Lyris Greene aka DJ Lyris. I’m originally from Nashville, TN and I’m a dj/vibe curator in Atlanta, GA.
2/ Is This Something You Always Wanted To Do? What Do You Enjoy About It?
Yes, music curation is actually something I’ve been doing since I was younger. Once my father taught me how to record music to create my own music tapes/cds, I’ve always had a passion for curating, even though I had no idea that’s what you call it now, LOL. Music curation is why I wanted to pursue dj’in full time; I’ve always had a passion for creating playlists for other people. It wasn’t till over the last few years that I discovered that people actually get paid to do something I’ve been doing since I was twelve.
The intriguing thing about music curation is selecting music that connects people from every walk of life. I love the idea of introducing the world to music that I connect with, if it’s music created decades ago or an upcoming artist. I especially love finding music from other people that have the same passion for music, it’s one of the great ways to connect with people. It’s honestly how I fell in love with music. My first memories are of my father playing and sharing his passion for music.
3/ Tell Us About Your First Musical Memory - Why Do You Think You Remember It?
One of my first memories growing up was when I had a portable Fisher Price record player. I can remember wanting to be able to do what I saw my dad doing all the time with his records. The first record was his, Jackson 5 “ABC” album, I used to play it repeatedly. I’m sure that’s when I first fell in love with music and Michael Jackson. LOL. I can recall this memory because it’s one of my fondest memories of me and my father. All of my memories with music begin with him.
4/ Who Did You Make Your First Mixtape / Playlist For - What Was The Result - Did They Dig It?
I made my first mixtape, in 2004, I believe for my best friend and cousin. I had been making mixtapes and cd’s for myself since I was twelve; but this was the first time I intentionally made it for others to enjoy. I was living in Charlotte, NC and traveled frequently for my job, so I began creating them for people back home. I played it for them when I was home for and they loved it! It was the push I needed to know I could really do this. They still are my number one supporters.
5/ What Made You Go Online And Search About Music Curation?
My search for music curation began last year, 2017. I had recently went through a branding academy called “Package Your Genius”, and it was there that I discovered other avenues for music lovers and dj’s like myself to expand my expertise in music curation as career.
6/ Tell us about the name of your Playlist - where did that come from?
The name of my playlist is called, Music to Warm the Soul. The name actually came from one of my personal playlist that I have been created over several years. The creation of the playlist came to be during a time I needed to create a playlist of songs that invoked happiness and joy. My job at the time was extremely stressful, so listening to music throughout the day was a safe haven. So the playlist comes from a personal place.
7/ What does a track have to have to make it onto your list, is there something special that you look for?
For a track to land on this playlist, it usually has to have a warmth to it. I personally love rustic soulful sounds and melodies; live instruments are a bonus. I’m looking for tracks where I can feel the artists and musicians connecting with the music. It’s definitely hard to explain, but I go with a feeling; because that’s what the playlist is about, music to warm the soul. That’s all feeling.
8/ What can an artist do in their track submission to your list to ensure that you'll listen to their track?
I urge for artists to listen to the playlist first before submitting. Honestly, ask yourself if your track fits the warmth of the playlist. I love music. But not all music is fit for this particular playlist.
9/ We know - these change all the time - but as of this week - what are your all time top 5 favorite tracks.
My connection to music, makes picking just five favorite tracks extremely hard. So I would pick songs that I can listen to repeatedly and NEVER get tired of hearing! And there are A LOT of those, LOL! As of today, my top 5 favorite tracks would be:
Love In Need by Stevie Wonder
Two Occasions by The Deele
Optimistic by Sounds of Blackness
Liberation by Outkast
Farrah Fawcett Hair by Capital Cities
10/ And finally - which Music to Curator should we interview next?
I would nominate Noka from Music to Vibe To, to be interviewed next ;)