5 tips from Katarina Gryvul for making it in electronic and experimental music

On 17 December, Katarina Gryvul, who is currently in residence in Rennes for the European project Transition to 8, gave a workshop at l’Antipode. Over the course of an afternoon, she shared the knowledge she has gained from her personal experience with young artists working in electronic and experimental music. Here are some of the tips that stood out to us. 

1. You will never feel completely ready, and you will always be afraid

What matters is to take action anyway. Step outside your comfort zone, start without planning everything, and above all, finish your projects even if they are not perfect. Every completed creation, no matter how unfinished, frees your mind and gently nourishes your confidence. Let go of your overly high expectations and let yourself be guided by the process: it is repeated imperfect action that leads to progress, not paralysing perfection. 

2. Allow yourself time to be bored

It is during moments of emptiness, a few hours a day, away from screens and social media, that ideas emerge naturally.

Create a gentle, regular routine to nurture your musical practice: record everyday sounds, capture voices, collect sound textures. That way, when the time comes to compose, you’ll already have a rich palette of elements to explore!

3. Captivate listeners within the first three seconds

Don’t wait until the middle of the track to reveal what makes your music unique. Take just as much care with your outro by defining the impression you want to leave after listening.

It is also important to root your music in its era by exploring current codes – microtonal vocals, raw and natural textures, binaural sound – while adding your own personal touch. Don’t hesitate to mix techniques and genres: by playing with timbers, spatialisation and sound layers, you will create something truly new and unexpected. 

4. Create a memorable press kit that truly reflects who you are

Tell your story in a few words, develop a consistent visual identity that appears everywhere – from your press kit to Instagram – and include a high-quality video of your performance on YouTube. Add a SoundCloud link, strategically placing the track that best matches the vibe of the label or festival you’re targeting first. Think of your presentation as a harmonious whole that instantly makes people want to find out more about you and your world.

5. Look for smaller labels

They will be able to devote more time and attention to promoting you. Look for a booking agency with a limited roster, where your style really stands out from the other artists they represent.

And remember, less is more.

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