SoundGym Hero: Solomon Planga

Producer, Artist, and Musician from the Inland Empire in Southern California. Solomon Planga is this month's SoundGym Hero!

Who are you, and Where are you from?

Hi, I'm Solomon Planga. The name "Planga" means "my love" in Cebuano and is a nickname my grandma's called me since I was young. I'm a queer, Filipino, and Thai producer, artist, and musician from the Inland Empire in Southern California. 

How did you get into music?

We've always had a piano in our living room that I'd play around with growing up. I think I started at age 5. My grandma tried to teach me to read notes at age 6 or 7, but it was difficult to pick up, so I continued to play by ear instead.

I started rapping, doing poetry, and making beats in middle school in 6th grade. My first DAW was this Ejay software program that I made beats on. I made beats for friends and would record them. Later on, in high school, I was a part of our MIDI program, where I got more of a hands-on feel for music production and the gear they had at the school. That year, I purchased my first midi keyboard, the Roland Fantom X6, and started making beats on there. I also started recording more music at my sound engineer friend, Boogaloo's house. He eventually became a very influential and helpful mentor of mine and helped me get my home studio setup together in 2015.

He's been super supportive in my journey! I now record and create on that same setup at home. I've also played a lot of music with friends, and we've done some really fun gigs together. They are some of the most talented vocalists and musicians I know!  

What do you like to do for fun outside of working on music?

I like to play music with friends, stretch, work out, cook, eat, check out swap meets, go on random adventures, and spend time with my 97-year-old grandma.

But ALSO anything that gets me in touch with my inner child. Silly, fun, carefree things you don't need to monetize or require an audience for.

I'll fly a kite, be curious about a grasshopper in our garden, blow bubbles, hug a stuffed animal, watch cartoons or buy myself a happy meal lol. We are most in touch with ourselves when we nurture that kid part of us. And in my experience, I'm most creative and inspired when I'm in that state-which helps with music! 

What's your most useless skill or talent? 

I can wiggle my pinky toe on its own while keeping the rest of my toes still. It's super weird and random! Haha

What inspires you to keep making music?

Music is so, so powerful. It has the power to create change and heal.

I want to be able to shift our world through music so that it is more inclusive, safe, and equal, especially for black and brown LGBTQIA folks of color. Many of us feel unsafe in our environment and our bodies because of systemic oppression, media, and years of messaging that says we aren't worthy of existing.

I want my community to thrive. A lot of our power starts with how we feel in our bodies and how we speak to ourselves. If music has the power to make us feel better about ourselves, why not use that to inspire a movement of radical self-love and collective healing?

So far, I've made some self-affirming songs that started with me just singing to myself as a reminder. My single, "Worthy of Healthy Love," is my first one.

Also, visibility is another motivation for me. I want to be able to provide a platform for other black, brown queer trans folks of color to express themselves through music. The more visibility we have, the more familiar people will be, and the more normalized & less scary it will be for others to accept their queer loved ones. 

I also get a lot of joy from seeing others realize their power after recording a song or poem. They feel so empowered and proud. It's amazing and what we need more of! I'm working towards understanding the mixing and mastering process to be more able to help others in their journey. 

If you could sit down to a session with any artist, who would it be?

Once my mixing ear is more developed, I'd love to have more sessions with other queer and trans artists. Also would love to have collaborations with Common, Kehlani, H.E.R, Erykah, No I.D., Kaytranada, Q-Tip, Phonte, Mos Def, NAO, and Julz. Their sounds influence mine. 

Any habits you have before starting a session?

I usually put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself when working on things that relate to my career, so I start by telling myself that I am creative, talented, capable, and intelligent. I am enough, and I am important, whether or not I finish what I'm working on.

These little steps add up, and I'm slowly getting closer to where I want to be. Also, take breaks! (Trying to get in the habit of that lol) And be patient and kind with yourself, Solo, because everyone was once where you were and had to LEARN this stuff. 

If you could pick one, what would be the theme song of your life?

One of my favorite songs is Common's "I Used to Love Her" where he personifies hip hop and talks about the different phases and how she evolved. I can relate to that because I've definitely grown with each year, experience, and person who entered, exited, or stayed in my life. I've gotten to know who I am much more because of these growth experiences. 

What is your favorite piece of music gear you own?

Probably my old 2011 MacBook Pro, lol. It does its job, and I've done a lot of learning on it. I need to upgrade soon, but the equipment is expensive! Saving so I can invest back into myself!

What is your favorite SoundGym feature? 

I think SoundGym in its entirety is brilliant. The ear training games are genius and keep things fun and engaging. I have a better understanding of frequencies and compression because of SoundGym. I've also learned a lot from the videos they have in the "Learn" section.

I enjoy the quick duels with other members that give you more interactive competitive training. Also, I love the mixing training group where they give you a weekly song to mix, and you can submit your version for critiques. Very, very helpful! SoundGym is school, gym, and community all in one! It's hard to say what's my favorite feature, lol!

What does the future hold for Solomon Planga? 

More ear training! More development of skills so that I can put out my best music and help others put out their best music! I want to eventually have my professional music studio and help other black & brown LGBTQIA folks of color who don't have as many resources be able to showcase their sound.

I've had help from a mentor, and I'd like to give that help back. More sooner than later, I'd like to put out a beat tape. And more empowering songs in the works. I'm slowly putting myself out there more, which I'm proud of how I'm overcoming the fear of judgment and mastering self-acceptance, so more music and instrumentals are coming soon!

 

You can follow and find more of Solomon's music on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and More!

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