Schaumburg Library studio, record label helps kids make music
"I definitely did not think I'd ever create and produce music at all, let alone at my library," said 15-year-old Chase of Hoffman Estates.
And yet Chase is a standout of our Teen Record Label Project, becoming the first artist to release an album on Spotify through the library.
The Teen Record Label Project was started in the summer of 2019, thanks to a Project Next Generation grant the library was awarded through the Illinois State Library. It was at that point, the library started working with professional sound engineer Jalen Little to help teens learn audio recording, beat making and more.
"I really enjoy enabling students to imagine themselves in a position where they can create the music that they have in their mind," said Jalen. "The ultimate joy is seeing students' faces when they look on a music streaming platform and see their music posted for the world to hear."
Chase, under the artist name Dr. Airwaves, released his first album, "The Battle Collection, Vol. 1," on Spotify earlier this year. Thanks to the library's record label, any and all proceeds made from streaming the song will go directly to Chase.
"I actually want to be a writer when I grow up," Chase said. "My first album correlates to a book I'm writing. The album tracks work on their own, but they're also kind of a soundtrack to the book."
"When I first met Chase, he was shy, yet curious about the process of making music," Jalen said. "As I helped Chase to learn the music production software and develop his sound, he evolved into a brilliant music producer who is pro-active, confident and passionate about making music.
"Chase has opened up more and will make jokes and allow everyone to feel comfortable and enable others to be themselves just as he is himself."
Chase also didn't have to worry about costs of equipment, as the library's Digital Production Studio is fully stocked with everything he and other teens learning to produce music needs.
"This class will get you far. Jalen is so patient and connects with us teens. He'll help you get to where you need to be," Chase said. "And the library has been very nice and supportive. They even play my music in Teen Place!"
"Music is for everybody, and I love that Schaumburg Library provides teens with the space to create and be themselves," Jalen said.
You can find Chase's album on Spotify and Jalen's on all music platforms under the artist name Obs3rve.
Best of all? Our Digital Production Studio is equipped to help you with all your media projects - from making music, to recording a podcast, to using a green screen, to creating a video.
It's available for all ages to reserve and use the equipment to take your next project to the next level.
Get more information or make a reservation at SchaumburgLibrary.org or email studio@stdl.org with questions.
• Hollis Sienkiewicz is the director of Marketing and Communications at the Schaumburg Township District Library. You can reach her at hsienkiewicz@stdl.org.