Unique Music, Quiet Anxiety, and Big Ambitions: My Story Hey there, I’m James Maxton—self-proclaimed bedroom beat architect, Spotify marathoner, and aspiring music producer with just enough tools and way too much ambition. If you’re here for polished perfection, you might have stumbled into the wrong studio. But if you’re here for a raw, unfiltered journey of a guy chasing his dreams (while fueled by coffee and 150,000 Spotify minutes a year), welcome. If you feel you’re in the right place – keep reading! And always remember: music is about community as much as anything else. So, What’s My Story? Music has always been the heartbeat of my life. For years, I was that guy—creating beats at ungodly hours, quietly dreaming but not really doing. It was always a hobby, always something I’d “get serious about someday.” Turns out, someday is now. So let’s make today count. Therefore, at 34, with a MIDI keyboard, Ableton Live Suite 12, and a healthy dose of bipolar disorder (life’s wild curveball), I’ve decided to turn this passion into a full-blown career. Yeah, I said it: career. Mental illness has wreaked its fair share of havoc on my life, but instead of succumbing to it, I’m taking this as my chance to fight back. To claim some autonomy. To create something extraordinary—one beat, one blog post, and one day at a time. What’s This Blog About? While you’re here, I created this site for a couple of reasons: To Document My Journey: From my humble beginnings with a barebones setup to whatever crazy, chaotic heights this leads to. To Inspire Others: If you’re starting out like me—confused, scrappy, and full of big dreams—you’re not alone. Let’s stumble and grow together. To Share What I Learn: Expect tips, tools, practical tutorials, and a lot of “Hey, I just figured this out!” moments. I’ll share it all—wins, fails, and everything in between. So let’s be real: this isn’t going to be easy. It’s going to take time, effort, and probably some sanity. But that’s part of the magic, right? Where to Start Since you’re new here (welcome!), you might be wondering where to dive in. I recommend starting with these posts to get a feel for my journey and pick up a few tips: Day One: Starting My Music Production Journey from Scratch This is where it all began—the raw, unfiltered story of how I took my first step. Why I Chose Ableton Live Suite: A Newbie’s Perspective Get a breakdown of the software I’m using and why it works for me as a beginner. Top 5 Tips for Starting Out as a Music Producer Practical advice for anyone ready to dive into production but unsure where to start. While this is not all-encompassing content, it’s a great place to begin. In order to understand my journey, in order to become a better producer, and in order to realize the dream, I need to keep going. So that’s my plan, to keep going. Where Am I Starting in Music? Tools? A MIDI keyboard, Ableton Live Suite, and an unwavering caffeine addiction. Skills? I’ve worked casually with hip-hop artists before, sharing beats for fun. The feedback? Better than I expected—and enough to make me believe I can take this further. Motivation? Off the charts. (Trust me, I’ve got no shortage of time to commit to this.) Since you’re probably curious where this trainwreck—or triumph—of a journey leads, stick around. I promise I’ll keep it real, and maybe even a little funny. The Soundtrack (Music) of My Life While you’re on my website (and since you asked), here are some of my favorite music genres: Experimental hip-hop (give me something weird and bass-heavy). Trap and EDM (big drops, big dreams). Those chill synth waves that feel like home. If I’m not obsessing over beats, I’m probably staring into the abyss of my coffee cup, daydreaming to sounds that make me forget time exists. Let’s Connect If this sounds like your vibe, I’d love for you to join me: Check out my YouTube channel to listen to my latest beats and watch journey vlogs. Subscribe to follow my progress, my beats, and my honest take on the process. Follow me on social media (links below). So whether you’re here for tips, tutorials, or just to see if I make it past the bedroom walls—welcome. Let’s take this journey together.