Inspirational sounds: Get to know musician Day 0ne

The daytime may know him by Michael Salas, but the nightlife of NYC knows him by Day One. Over the course of the young DJ & producer’s life, he has gone from strength to strength with a black belt in martial arts as one of the earliest jewels in his crown. As his newest song “Paradise” has hit the airwaves and already getting the attention of DJs across the city, his follower count continues to rise.

We got to take some time with the upstart artist to get some insight into how he got here so fast, and where he wants to go next. 

Tell us about your history in music. How did you start your journey? 

I started my journey by learning how to DJ on the turntables the old-school way. I then learned how to use the CDJs which is the industry standard as of now. After I mastered my DJ skills, I transitioned into learning how to produce music. 

This definitely took years to master, from learning music theory to learning how to arrange a track, to finally learning how to mix and master your track. It’s definitely been a long journey but it was definitely worth it. 

Who were your musical idols growing up?

Growing up I listened to Eminem a lot, he was definitely someone that showed that anyone can make it no matter where you come from. 

You attended music school in NYC. What did you learn during your time there that you have been able to apply to your craft?

I pretty much learned everything in my music school. I learned how to DJ, the foundations of music, how to produce music, how to mix & master my tracks, and much more. It really set me up to succeed in my career, and it’s definitely a part of my life that I will always remember. 

You’ve said that you like the universality of music. Why do you think music is able to transcend more than other artforms?

It’s because music is so easy to connect with. These days you don’t need to understand the lyrics to a song to enjoy it. As long as it makes you feel something then it’s easy to find a connection with a song. Also because artists are expressing themselves through music and are going through everyday things just like the rest of the world so it’s very easy for the audience to relate to them. 

“Paradise” is your latest single. How did the idea for the song come about?

I just wanted to make a track everyone can vibe to while having a good time. It’s the perfect track to play when you’re out living life with your loved ones. 

How long does it take you to realize an idea? Does the amount of time you spend on a song depend on each song?

Yes, every situation is different. I usually already have the idea in mind but to make the song it can be anywhere from a few days, weeks, or months. You can’t really tell how long it’s going to take to finish a song, every song has a different situation. 

Do you like listening to music when you’re creating or do you cut yourself off from outside influences?

Yes absolutely, I like to listen to other genres to get inspiration and ideas for my productions.  

What is the biggest thing you want listeners to take away when they listen to a song like “Paradise”?

I just want them to understand life is short, so enjoy it while you’re here. Also, appreciate the people you have in your life and do not take them for granted. 

Are there any specific artists you’d like to collaborate with?

Yes, I have a huge list of artists I would like to collaborate with but just to name a few it would be Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, and Harry Styles. 

Do you prefer making music with someone or by yourself?

I enjoy doing both, if I’m making a club track then I prefer working alone but If I want to make a vocal track then I prefer working with a vocalist and bouncing ideas from one another. 

What has been your greatest professional success?

It would have to be learning how to do everything on my own. A lot of artists rely on others to do certain things for them but I’m someone that really took the time to learn skills outside of music as well. 

Not only do I produce and mix and master my own tracks but I also learned a lot about marketing, which is crucial in the music industry. For my latest music video “Paradise” I was the one who directed it and was part of the editing process. I edit and organize my own content for social media as well. All of these skills that I acquired have played a huge role in my music career.  

What about your biggest professional failure? What did you learn?

I’m not a huge believer in failure, I truly believe everything in life is a learning lesson. So every time something doesn’t go according to plan in my music career I sit back and analyze the learning lesson and what I can do next time to improve. I’ve definitely had those moments and I pretty much tell myself not to give up and keep on trying. 

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?

Yes, I have an upcoming track called “Sunset” that will be released in a few weeks, I can’t wait for you guys to hear it! 

What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?

My advice would be to work really hard because anything you want in life takes time and also don’t try to overthink it. Artists tend to overthink things a lot which actually holds us back so just try to put out as many projects as you can and keep moving forward. You will learn new lessons along the way that you can later apply in your career. 

Lastly, who is an artist you’d recommend readers listen to? 

There are just so many artists out there but one of my favorite artists is DJ Snake. He’s someone that’s very diverse but most importantly I like how he carries himself outside of music. He’s someone who’s really humble and is always inspiring others to be great. 

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What other artists do you think would make fire music in collaboration with Day One? Let us know in the comments!