Student Profile: Franco Masuello

Written & Interviewed by Kallen Hittner - Team Monster Sessions

Franco Masuello is a talented Monster Sessions alumnus. Since spending time in our producer camps in Los Angeles and Atlanta, he has produced for JAG, BMW Kenny, and Thurzzz, to name a few. He lives in Phoenix Arizona where he works with artists all across the board. Monster Sessions founder Dame Taylor doesn’t hesitate in hitting Franco up for collaboration opportunities.

Franco during his first Elite Producer Camp in 2017.

What was the deal with your recent Europe Trip?

I was in Italy for three and a half weeks, so just around the time my birthday. It was sick. I have a lot of family that lives there. A cousin of mine lives with his wife in this town called Canelli. We had a blast man.

Did you work on music out there?

Yeah, I took a little instrument. It’s super portable and works like a mini keyboard. I was really soaking in all the art out there and it really inspired me to work. We worked on some music for JAG. AR and Dame and I were going back and forth for couple of days sending each other song files. Yeah, it was a cool experience. 

What’s your instrument of choice?

Probably the OP-1, at least when I'm traveling. I think when I'm in the studio or in my house probably just a synth. I have a Prophet-6 so I use that thing all the time. It’s one of my favorites. 

Have you been working on any other projects besides that one? 

Well, the last time we spoke I was working with this dude from Florida. His name is Saint Evans. I sent him a little bit more music to just to kind of throw some music at him. He's working on a project. And then I've just been doing a lot of work for churches. A friend of mine is one of the leaders at a church in Dallas and they have a Christmas thing coming. I made all the sets they're going to use when they do a live show. It's like 8 songs and I set up their sessions so they can just hit play and play along with the parts that are written in there. 

What would be your dream collaboration or a dream artist to work with?

I think the first one that comes to mind is by Bryson Tiller. I was inspired to make music when I listened to Trapsoul for the first time. It was a completely different sound for me. I’ve been trying to make stuff like that. His music has shaped a lot of my direction. 

What was the most impactful moment at Monster Sessions for you?

Probably when I heard my music for the first time in a professional studio. I've been to studios out here in Phoenix and in other cities as well, but being in a recording studio in Burbank or LA and then listening to your music being played—I think it exposes the truth about your music and you can hear where you can make it better. It really inspired me to get to that level I was hearing from other peoples’ music. You really hear the detail when you’re in a professional studio. 

What's the best advice you've received relating to music?

It’s going to be from Dame obviously, but I'm not biased [laughs]. I'm speaking objectively here. Dame told me one time that people usually try to say that quality is better than quantity. And that's true, but sometimes you can use it as a crutch and say that “I'm only gonna make five beats in a week because I want them to be quality,” instead of making 50 beats in a week. But if you're a quality producer or professional, then everything you make should be quality. So, you should be able to do 50 beats in a weak and they all be at the same level. That was one of the best pieces of advice for me—don't hinder yourself. Don't give yourself a crutch or any excuse by saying, “I'm gonna work less just to make sure it's better.” But instead, just make yourself better. Elevate yourself.

Do you prefer performing music live or recording in the studio? 

I'm fifty-fifty on it. Sometimes I really like playing live because you have a good time on stage, just feeling like you're giving people a moment. But in the studio, I like creating the most. So I guess if I had to pick I’d say being in the studio. It’s a close call though. 

What's one thing you would change about the music industry?

I guess the gatekeeping to education and development is what I would change, which I think was the goal of Monster Sessions when it was created. 

Favorite album of all time?

One of my top ones would be, like I said, Bryson Tiller's Trapsoul. Another one is The Life of Pablo by Kanye. I always listen to that, at least one song every day pretty much.

Cool. Not Kanye's new album? 

I love Donda, I really do. From a production standpoint, and even his message on there is really good. But a favorite of all time? Probably not yet. Maybe in 5 to 10 years. Donda might replace Life of Pablo for me. But as of right now, I can't make that bold of a decision yet. I have to wait to see how it hits me in the future. 

OK, that's fair. What's the most crucial aspect to producing? 

I think being able to listen is the most crucial aspect. Clearing your mind from anything that you think you should say. Let's say somebody is speaking to you: sometimes I catch myself thinking what I'm gonna say next instead of thinking about what they're telling me. So, taking that away when you listen to music is very important for me. I think that's the most crucial thing. Otherwise, you don't allow yourself to enjoy the music, and then you also don't give the music a chance to speak to you.

Do you listen to lyrics when you listen to music or do you mainly listen to the instrumental? 

I mainly listen to the instrument 99 times out of 100. But if I'm working with artists, I pay closer attention to lyrics. If I'm listening to music and I have nothing to do with it, I'm usually just listening to the instrumental.

How’s the music scene in Arizona?

The music scene out here is actually growing. I was surprised to see over the past two months how big it’s getting. We have a pretty dope band out here called Katastro and they're doing stuff with the Phoenix Suns. They put out a shirt run together. Even smaller artists are getting noticed now, so that's good. It’s really cool to turn on the radio sometimes when I'm driving and hear Reagan Capaci or Pariah Pete. 

What's your favorite project that you've worked on? 

I did do a beat for BMW Kenny, a song called “B DAY.” Other than that, I think projects that haven't been released yet. There's a ton of stuff that I'm working on that is now my favorite kind of music, so it's hard. 

What's the best piano solo of all time?

It’s probably some jazz collection I have somewhere. I remember listening to a piano solo right before I went to Italy. I was just going through some records. But just so you know, it's in an old ‘80s jazz record downstairs right now in a crate.

What advice would you give to someone pursuing music?

I think not trying to rush is what I would say 'cause nothing ever happens, at least in the music industry, when you think you should happen. Timing is everything, and so is not being in a rush.