TAREK MUSA (INTERVIEW)

Tarek Musa is a songwriter, producer and mixer based in Liverpool. He has worked with some of the UK’s most exciting artists including Circa Waves, The Big Moon, Gengahr, Avalanche Party and Kagoule.

Having graduated from the Liverpool Institute of Recording Arts (LIPA), picking up the coveted Sennheiser Studio Excellence Award (2011) along the way. Known for his DIY attitude to music, he also received an MPG Award (2017) in the category ‘Self-Produced Artist’ for his production, songwriting and mix work on the Spring King debut album ‘Tell Me If You Like To’ which was released on Island Records, with fans including Elton John and Noel Gallagher.

His songs have received extensive air-play from some of the UK’s largest stations including BBC Radio One XFM and BBC 6 Music as well as Australia’s Triple J, with key single ‘Rectifier’ being performed on ‘…Later with Jools’.

Former project Spring King have had releases through Transgressive, Rough Trade NYC, Mom & Pop and Island Records, with a whole host of glowing reviews from the likes of NME, The Line Of Best Fit, Fake DIY, NPR, Stereogum and Brooklyn Vegan. Many of these releases have also landed a whole host of recent syncs including; ‘Who Are You?’ on FIFA 17, Orphan Black, T-Mobile US, Skullcandy and Guitar Hero.

We caught up with him to find out more about what he is working on, his approach and any advice he has for the next generation.

1. What are some of your earliest musical memories? How do you think they shaped the artist you’ve become?

One of my earliest and fondest memories was receiving a cassette dictaphone as a child. I carried it everywhere, recording the sounds of cars, ice cream trucks, and even my family. I must have been about 10 years old. Listening back to these recordings fascinated me—it was like a whole new world of details came alive through sound. That’s where it all started.

Later, I got into playing instruments—drums, guitar, and bass—and began recording my performances using a dual cassette deck. I’d record on one side, play it back, and overdub another part on the other side, essentially teaching myself multitrack recording! Those early experiments were such a thrill, even though I had no idea at the time that this would become my career.

As I got older, I invested in basic recording equipment and began working with local bands, which included some early projects with Drive Like I Do (before they became The 1975). My time as the drummer and vocalist in Spring King was pivotal as well. It taught me what it really means to juggle the chaos of touring, writing, and recording—all while learning to manage mundane things like emails during vocal sessions or tackling lyrics on the M60 when you’re half asleep. Those lessons shaped my perspective when producing my own work and working with other artists. 

2. You seem to have a fantastic ability to reinvent yourself with different projects/bands/aliases. How do you maintain the focus and drive to keep doing so?

I’ve always seen myself as someone who needs variety to thrive. Early in my career, I thought of myself as an engineer, but I got bored and shifted to producing, then to mixing, songwriting, and so on. I think that constant curiosity fuels my drive to reinvent myself. It’s like chasing a moving target—there’s always something new to explore, and I’m never completely satisfied with where I’m at.

A big part of this is giving myself the freedom to experiment, even when it doesn’t seem to fit the larger picture. Sometimes ideas don’t make sense immediately, but they come into focus later, so I’ve learned to store them away and revisit them when the time is right. Reinvention isn’t just about big changes—it’s about refining and evolving over time.

3. Your new song “The Fighter” is an anthemic banger with a superb music video alongside it. Can you talk us through the creative process for the song itself and the video?

I typically work fast, but “The Fighter” was different. It started with a rough demo, which I laid down quickly, but then I had to keep coming back to it between other projects. This slower process was new for me—it forced me to really think about the song and approach it in stages, which turned out to be a blessing.

The track started with drums and bass. Once I had those down, I added a gibberish scratch vocal just to get a feel for the melody. From there, I began fleshing out the arrangement in the studio, double-tracking the bass—a technique I hadn’t tried before on a Dead Nature record.

For the music video, I wanted something that captured the raw, anthemic energy of the song. The process of visualising and executing the video mirrored the song’s creation—it was about finding the right balance between intensity and reflection.

4. With 20 years of experience as a music maker under your belt, if you could sit down with 18-year-old Tarek, what advice would you give him?

I’d tell 18-year-old Tarek to embrace the journey fully and to never shy away from learning. Back then, I was so focused on where I thought I needed to be that I sometimes forgot to appreciate where I was. I’d also remind him that challenges will come—whether it’s creative blocks or industry hurdles—but resilience is what will define you. Take risks, be open to change, and trust that even the failures will lead you somewhere valuable.

5. What three pieces of advice would you give to new artists who are right at the beginning of their journey?

First, perseverance is everything. The music world is full of ups and downs, but sticking to your vision and craft will always pay off.

Second, authenticity is key. Listeners can tell when you’re genuine, and there’s nothing more powerful than creating music that truly reflects who you are.

Finally, always be open to learning and collaboration. Whether you’re working with a producer, bandmate, or fellow artist, the exchange of ideas can push your creativity to new heights.

6. What do you get from producing and mixing for other artists that maybe you don’t get when working on your own projects?

Producing and mixing for other artists is incredibly inspiring. It forces me to step out of my own creative bubble and immerse myself in someone else’s vision. Working with diverse talents introduces me to new techniques and perspectives, which often influence my approach when I return to my own work.

I also love the problem-solving aspect of producing—it’s like helping an artist unlock their ideas and bring them to life. That process feels collaborative and rewarding in a way that’s different from working on my own music.

7. Do you ever find yourself lacking inspiration, and if so, what do you do to conquer this?

Writer’s block definitely happens. It usually strikes when I’m pushing too hard or trying to force an idea. These days, I’ve learned to step away and focus on something else for a while—whether it’s another project or even a completely unrelated activity.

Sometimes, I’ll take the skeleton of an idea that’s stuck and re-record it in a different way, almost treating it like a fresh concept. That shift in perspective can reignite the creative spark. It’s about giving yourself the space to reset and not putting too much pressure on the process.

8. How do you look after your creativity and artistic identity, especially at times when you’re feeling overwhelmed or perhaps not in the best headspace?

Self-care is essential. I’ve found that taking time away from music is just as important as diving into it. I have other hobbies and interests that keep me grounded and help me recharge—whether it’s learning something new or simply spending time with friends and family.

Creativity thrives when you’re in the right headspace, so I try to create a balance that allows me to come back to music with fresh energy and perspective.

9. What project are you working on at the moment that we can look forward to listening to?

I’m doing a lot of mixing at the moment, working with some incredible artists like Mickey Callisto, Tonia, Charlotte Clark, Ned Flangers, The Manatees, The Mezz, and Bethane. It’s always exciting to help shape other artists’ work.

On the side, I’m constantly developing my solo project Dead Nature. There’s always something cooking, so keep an ear out!

For more on Tarek: https://www.tarekmusa.com