Music producer Sunni Pardoe, known professionally as Sun Amichi finds inspiration everywhere, including the kitchen! We chat with her to find out more about her influences in music and what led her to study music production at SAE Byron Bay.
#saecrew
– student edition –
NAME: Sunni Pardoe
CAMPUS: Byron Bay
DISCIPLINE: Audio
What do you most enjoy about student life at SAE?
The people you get to meet. In my time at SAE, I met so many people that influenced my creativity from all different fields and levels of experience. SAE was where I was properly introduced to music production, the people I met had a huge impact on the music I was making and a lot of them I know will continue to influence me in the future.
What are your plans for when you graduate?
I am currently planning to write and release and EP over the next month. I wanted to collaborate with some of my closest creative friends, to test our skills and see what we could come up with. In the team is a fellow SAE student and one of my closest friends, Maddi Malone, who will be in charge of film and visuals for the EP. I’m really excited to see what we’ll come up with and what will follow the collaboration.
Can you share an artist or professional in your discipline that inspires you?
At the moment I’m really into IAMDDB. She does this really cool mix of hip hop, R&B and trap with a really unique vocal which I find super inspiring. I like artists that have a distinctive sound and that are unapologetically themselves. I’m inspired by the person behind the track as much as I am the music.
Have you studied previously?
Just over a year ago, I was studying Zoology at UWA which was something I was always really interested in. Uni was a pretty different experience for me back then, I didn’t really feel like it was for me and I was getting very little out of it, compared to what I was putting in. It wasn’t until I heard about Ableton and careers in music production that I started to get excited about studying. I heard about SAE in Byron Bay during my uni break after the first semester and decided to defer my zoology degree. I moved from the South West a few months later and never looked back.
What do you enjoy most about Audio?
Everything. The challenges, the tears of frustration, the moments of self-doubt. It’s all worth it because you get to look back at every mountain and see how far you’ve come. I’ve learnt more about myself in the last year than I ever have, and I’ve achieved things that I never thought I’d be able to do. It’s a pretty huge confidence boost and I’m really proud of what I’ve created.
What is your favourite software you use?
Ableton
What is your favourite hardware you use?
My mic, kitchen contents and whatever is sitting on my coffee table. I found some of my best samples in the cutlery draw.
What projects have you worked on?
When I started at SAE I could just about make a basic drum loop in Ableton. Since then I’ve created eight tracks, including a remix and a four-track collab EP. I’d have to say I’m most proud of the first full track I ever produced Ð ‘When I Talk’ and my most recent track in collaboration with fellow student Jordan Maxwell – ‘Misguided Minds’. I’m proud of everything I create really, even if something doesn’t sound perfect, it’s always a step in the right direction and helps you grow as a producer.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to SAE?
If there’s a voice in the back of your head asking you ‘what if?’, it’s probably the same voice that will guide you where you want to go. If I hadn’t listened to the voice in my head I wouldn’t be where I am now and thank the universe, I did. If you’re ready to work hard for your dreams and studying is what will help you get there, then why the f**k not?
What is Orientation and the first day of SAE like?
I met my best mate so it’s pretty cool. Every day at SAE is what you make of it, like everything, so make sure you bring the best version of yourself and the rest will follow.
Do you have any helpful tips to share with fellow students?
Be humble, be kind, share your knowledge. Help those around you because the more you give, the more you get back, it’s really true. No matter how experienced you are, or others are, we all have something to learn and something to teach. Keep a level head and an open mind.
What have you accomplished that you are most proud of?
Following the voice in my head even when it’s pushing me to face my fears.
