Tell us a little bit about what you do professionally, and who you are as a person.

My name is Simone Torres, I’m an artist, vocal producer, engineer and songwriter. I’m a jokester who is way too obsessed with ginger and chocolate covered pretzels (separately, don’t worry) haha. I’m really passionate about most things I do, I care a lot lol. 

What’s a non-conventional phrasing or framing to explain what you do? 

I capture emotion so other people can feel it, too. 

Is there something that you read, watched, or listened to that changed your approach to your craft or to music as a whole? 

I think that as you age in this industry, you begin to realize that there really aren't any rules or restrictions. Creating should be free and that's when the best things come to fruition. We learn the guidelines so we can borrow what we need, and ultimately do what we feel. 

What’s your advice to an artist working with an engineer for the first time? 

Make sure to know the basic terminology of things so that you can communicate what you're looking for. That can be the difference between having something you like, and something you love. Be confident in yourself and the vision you have for your project! Just because you don’t know the engineering side, does not mean that your opinions are not valid! 

What’s something happening in the music industry at large that makes you feel hopeful or inspired? 

I think more people are interested in the artist as a whole, and are investing in seeing the unpolished as well as the polished. I think that’s lovely, where artists can start to share more of their whole selves and build closer connections with their supporters.

Who’s someone you admire? 

Victoria Monet is a force. I think that she has become a beam of light for the multifaceted, showing that you can succeed at more than one thing, and that it's okay to pursue the different things you’re passionate about. 

What’s something happening in your specific field that you’re excited about right now?

I think that there is an opportunity to connect with your communities even deeper, showing the behind the scenes side of the music creation process from ideation and creating a bond with your core supporters. The industry is changing so much, old models don’t work and the upside of that is that it paves the way for new ways of thinking. 

Can you describe a project you worked on that was personally significant or that you learned a great deal from?

Releasing my first original music in 2024 was a huge learning experience. Things take on a life of their own after release, your favorite songs on a project can change, you change, etc. I learned a big lesson this year on the importance of releasing your music; not letting it die on a hard drive. As an artist, you will constantly grow so it’s hard to be at the same point in your artistry as your releases, but that doesn’t mean that things shouldn't be released. Allow people to see your journey. Your art is still valid.