Musicians at McLean

June 13, 2016

McLean High School is filled with aspiring musicians who compose and produce their music. In addition to the students featured in the newsmagazine, check out other talented musicians as well as some links to their music!

Ahmad Clark

Since he first became involved with music by making covers at the age of 11, junior Ryan Kantor has been an avid musician, dabbling in a variety of genres.
“I started playing guitar, I guess that’s the first time I played music, when I was 4 years old,” Kantor said. “Since then, I have been in a lot of different bands of various sorts and skill levels.”
Although Kantor has made music from experimental hip-hop to techno, he is primarily an electronic musician, taking inspiration from everyday life.
“If I see an interesting person or photograph, it gives me an idea for my song,” Kantor said.
Kantor is also influenced by other musicians.
“I’d say that I’m influenced by acts like Death Grips and Young Lean, as well as My Bloody Valentine, which if anyone has heard of them, you know they’re very different,” Kantor said.
To compose his songs, Kantor uses FL Studio, a digital audio workshop with the ability to compose, arrange, record and mix music.
“When I make a song, I’ll usually start with a percussion line if I’m doing something more traditional, or I’ll just sort of let ideas flow as they come,” Kantor said.
Kantor doesn’t plan on making music his career, however.
“I don’t think that I would [pursue it professionally],” Kantor said. “I definitely want to keep making it throughout my life whenever I have the time, because I really enjoy doing it. It’s a great stress relief.”

bellini1