Meet Peineng Dai | Music Producer (aka. PD)

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

Hi Peineng, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Learning from my career in music, the biggest takeaway has been the importance of walking your own path. The music world is filled with talented people, and it’s super easy to get lost in what everyone else is doing or achieving. Just focusing on yourself, setting goals, and not letting other people’s opinions distract you is crucial for a healthy and successful music career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Hello! First of all, thank you for featuring me on the Shoutout LA magazine page! My name is Peineng Dai (professionally known as PD or PDavid), and I am a music producer currently based in LA. I got to where I am today thanks to all my friends and family who supported me throughout my journey so far, and of course, I must give a shoutout to myself for putting in constant hard work on my craft.

I was professionally trained from a young age. My music production journey started when I was 17 years old, and I was accepted into Berklee College of Music to further hone my craft as a musician overall. I had the chance to connect and collaborate with many talented people there, many of whom I have been working with ever since. I moved to LA soon after I graduated, which has given me the opportunity to expand my network and work with more industry experts.

Everyone says working as a musician full-time is hard, and I’m no exception – I’ve stumbled upon many obstacles, but I’ve learned from all of them. I believe artists usually make their best work when inspired, so keeping myself constantly inspired has been a challenge for a long time. There was a period when I overworked myself and gradually found less interest and joy in creating music. It took me a long time to realize and learn how to find the balance between life and work. Throughout my music career, I’ve noticed that comparison among peers is inevitable. Learning how to maintain a healthy competitive relationship with peers, I believe, is crucial for success. It’s important to know your worth, believe in your craft, and walk your own path. This applies to everyone, no matter what field you’re working in.

Something exciting I’ve been working on recently, aside from future record releases with artists, is probably my own sound project. This sound pack consists of numerous simple but catchy melodic instrumental hooks, which other producers and songwriters can use and implement in their own way. I’ve also been learning how to use After Effects so I can design my own visuals to accompany my music.

I think what really sets me apart from my peers is my versatility as a music producer. I have experience producing in various styles while maintaining my own sound. Capable of playing a multitude of instruments, these skills set me up as a very well-rounded music producer. Not only that, I had the chance to see and get inspired by different music cultures by traveling around the world due to family reasons when I was younger. I believe this exposure to various backgrounds is also a factor that has made me interested in learning and blending elements from different cultures.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I personally really enjoy the city of LA, a huge part of it is because of the nature and the beaches here. I particularly enjoy the hiking trail near Griffith Park; there are usually very few people, and you get to see the whole LA city and a beautiful sunset when you reach the top of the mountain! There’s also a spot I’ve been to many times with my family, which is a beach near Playa Del Rey. The deeper you go into the beach, the fewer people there are, allowing you to enjoy a moment of serenity and feel the wind blowing through your body.

Among all the tourist attractions, my favorite is none other than The Grove, one of the most popular outdoor shopping and dining areas in LA. They have very beautiful decorations during the holiday seasons, which are definitely worth checking out for visitors.

Currently, I reside in Koreatown, and my favorite food place near here is “Louder,” a Korean restaurant located in the heart of Koreatown (3470 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020). They are known for their Booldak with Cheese, and they also have a lot of really good Korean fusion food. Last but not least, my favorite Japanese restaurant is located in Pasadena, called “Osawa” (77 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101). I just had a really good time dining there; the food was great and the customer service was top-tier, definitely worth checking out!

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 want to shout out to my mom and dad who have been supporting me throughout my journey! I wouldn’t be who I am today without their continued support from day one.

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

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/peineng-dai-85a365231