“The most important thing is to give yourself a chance to prove that you can do it.”
Belarus, Vietnam, and now Portugal, Bách has been places. But one thing that remained constant was his love for music. American rock band Green Day stirred Bách’s interest in music, and what started as playing the guitar—learning Green Day songs—became a resounding theme in his life that he’d later pursue.
“I didn’t have enough experience or skills, so it felt quite risky because I didn’t know what to expect,” he shares. But now that he’s taken that risk, was it worth it?
We spoke to musician, PremiumBeat contributor, and Create Fund winner Bách about his brave move to pursue the uncertain, showing up for himself, and more.
Shutterstock: Let’s start with a typical question. When did you start creating music?
Bách: I love rock music and always wanted to be a musician. I was around 17 years old when my parents bought me a guitar and, as time went by, I decided that music would be the main activity in my life.
It was a risky decision, but it’s where I felt most confident.
SSTK: Why was it risky?
Bách: I’ve always wanted to be a musician, but when it came time to choose a degree, I decided to learn languages. I chose linguistics so I could become a teacher, translator, or interpreter.
After finishing university, I just felt that music was much more suitable for me.
It was risky because I didn’t have enough experience or skills. I didn’t know what to expect. So, I just had to encourage myself to go and see what I could do—to give it a try.
SSTK: Sounds good! But there are days, especially as a creative and when you’re still figuring things out, that it’s difficult to push yourself to keep going. Did you ever have that?
Bách: Yes. Yes! I feel that sometimes. I feel I couldn’t do enough to actually pursue this goal. Sometimes, I feel down like I can’t do anything interesting. But I learned that to overcome this feeling, I just have to finish what I started.
I’ve heard a lot of producers who can’t finish a song because they don’t feel it. I just push myself to finish. So, sometimes, it’s become a habit more than an artistic approach.
When I start a song and finish it, it feels great. So just start and finish and go to the next.
SSTK: Yeah. It doesn’t always have to be perfect, right?
Bách: Yeah. As long as I feel the sound is right, it’s cinematic, it’s going to be cool.
SSTK: Now that you’ve decided to take the risk and pursue music, would you say it was worth it?
Bách: Yes. I think so. Yeah, I’d say it was worth it because now I can do what I like and don’t feel the pressure because I can just make music for myself.
Because, in the translation field, there are deadlines. There are big documents and projects and it’s quite haunting for me. I mean, I pressure myself now, but it’s a good pressure.
SSTK: So, now that music is your main thing, where do you want to take it?
Bách: I would love to collaborate with other artists, especially here in Portugal. I don’t know that many people here yet, but I know there are a lot of talented people here, so I’d like to meet new artists.
SSTK: You mentioned earlier that you like to create cinematic music. Why cinematic?
Bách: I used to work in a studio in Minsk, Belarus, where we mainly did trailer music, so we had to watch a lot of cinematic films to get the feelings right. It’s kind of become a part of me.
SSTK: Kind of like your compass when creating music?
Bách: Yeah. I started creating stock music I think around 2018 and, during that time, I feel like stock music was too generic. I wanted to bring it to another level by offering more artistic music that can be used for any kind of production.
It’s like making soundtracks for everyone.
SSTK: Was there anything you wish you knew when you were still starting your music career?
Bách: When I started, I didn’t know the workstation, making sounds, sound designs. Because, really, I was just a guitarist. I was just playing guitar.
Transferring to a different environment, working inside of a computer, it was very hard for me.
Bách: I think you should give yourself a chance to start. Give yourself time to research, to learn, to study . . . Go deeper in this field. Go to the core.
Study the basics and start working on the craft. Just take the first step. Sometimes, I see people give up very fast. They try it once or twice, and then they give up.
SSTK: You did not give up. How did that change your life?
Bách: Well, now I can do this with confidence. Making music has become a part of my life.
Today, I can make music that’s like this, and tomorrow, I can make one like that. I feel like I can freely express myself. I don’t feel the pressure. I have pressure on myself, but it’s my kind of pressure.
So, it’s really more about discipline. I’m happy I can do what I love.
SSTK: What did you discover about yourself throughout this whole journey?
Bách: I never thought I could make music. Like, as part of my life. It’s quite funny. . . .
SSTK: Feels good, right? When you never thought you could do something, you just watch people do it and you know you also want to but you’re not sure if you can. And then, you just find yourself now able to do it.
Bách: Yeah! And now, with the fund, I feel like my music actually means something . . . that people decided to grant me the fund. This is a big encouragement for me and a milestone for my career.
Listen to Bách’s entire album or individual tracks.
License this cover image via Swill Klitch.
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