Meet Noah Reasoner | Songwriter – Producer – Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Noah Reasoner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Noah, what do you want your legacy to be?
I think when people write music nowadays they dream of having a name that holds the same weight next to Beyonce or Nirvana. A household icon. They expect that with enough dedication and hard work, they too can be the next legacy artist. In reality, it’s easier to win the lottery than to have that much socially commercial success. Often I think about what kind of person it takes to accomplish such valkyrie feats. If we just look at where those people were at their peak it almost seems so close to the sun that we cant even see it when we squint. Everyone has a path one way or another and theirs led them to a place no one expected.

I don’t intend to have any legacy in music really. I can hope and pray for the same success but that won’t grant me satisfaction in my life. It won’t build a brand or reputation I’m proud of. To me, creating a legacy goes beyond a commercial success or hit song. It’s what makes you a good person versus a bad one. It’s the difference in the character inside you that looks for grace in the world rather than leaving it to the existential dread. For example, when I think of Bob Marley who is arguably one of the greatest songwriters to transcend any cultural or physical difference between humans I feel inspired. A man that was against all odds just trying to be a vehicle for the warmth in humanity to exist and be tangible. He didn’t sit down and brainstorm how to be the best at being a real person, he just was.

What makes me believe in my own legacy is when my friend texts me that a song I wrote in my bedroom when I was sixteen is something that gets him through everyday alive. It’s not something that I’ve banked on or marketed for. I can only hope that when I’m long gone that there is at least one persons life that was changed in this world. If that happens then I can be happy that my “legacy” has made a positive impact. We may not last forever but our ideas and words can. So I hope someone will love mine wherever they are in their legacies.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I grew up as a drummer fostered in Seattle’s grunge rock scene. My parents did their best to support a five year old child with a fierce mentality to literally make a drum groove out of everything. I didn’t completely take to the discipline of practice until I turned nine. I jumped around in a different couple youth programs that allowed me to be a gigging drummer at a young age. Eventually I would end up teaching myself guitar. I didn’t have access to electronics in my house till I was in my young teens so as I waited for my father to take me to school every morning I would ear train on my acoustic for fifteen minutes. I did that for about three years straight. This year I’m graduating from Los Angeles College of Music as part of their songwriting department with an unofficial minor in production.

Since I developed my ears with rhythm and harmony I’ve always been more attached to those as musical elements. They pull me so much more into a song than the lyrics usually do. It’s what separates me from a lot of other songwriters and producers in my opinion. In a way it’s unknowingly become my brand. Most songwriters I work with know how to make a chord progression to get the song going but with my background I help add a layer of contrast to their songs.

I don’t believe I’m at a place in my career to be completely full of seldom instruction for others. As I’ve mentioned, every path is different and relative. Your life can be on your terms if you give definition to what your success looks like. I know there will be difficult challenges along the journey to find satisfaction in the career field I’m in. That’s why you have to really live for what you do. It’s like a strong marriage. You will have fights and arguments. You will have such powerful moments they bring you tears of joy. Most importantly you will have to keep in mind always that it’s easier to give up than fight for what you love. If you are a lover then you have to be a fighter to see that without the weight you give the things in your life, there is nothing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my buddies were in town for a week you know we’d be hitting up the mountains and the beach. Some of my favorite activities are being able to mountain bike in the morning and play a warm beachside gig in the evening. Definitely would hit up Venice and be a busking beach bum for a week! Put us in a Airbnb on the beach with a studio set up and we’ll make a whole album.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to give a very warm shoutout to the folks who’ve ever taken a chance on someone they see themself in. I’ve had amazing opportunities that continue to teach me principles in all my affairs due to great bosses, teachers, and friends. You all are the reason why life is better lived by living rather than just being alive. I owe all my dedication to the teachers that show their students that being a genuine human being is more valuable than any single accomplishment or piece of paper.

Website: https://linktr.ee/noahreasoner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noahreasoner/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-reasoner-a3664a272/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmN8yeXQsLwFiPEuQSbwp3Q

Image Credits
Clarisse Tran Atharva Patil