Whipped Cream: “Get Ready to Be Told ‘No’ a Lot”

If there’s anything an aspiring musician can learn from a self-taught Future Bass producer who once had a professional figure skating career, it’s one thing: work hard, and never give up on your goals (OK, two things, our point is learning doesn’t hurt). We turned to the IDMA-nominated Canadian dynamo for advice on pushing through in the industry, managing the mandatory downtime during the COVID-19 pandemic, and finding your own vibe when playing live.

Sara Mekinc

Mar 30, 2020

At 26, Toronto-born Whipped Cream already has seven years’ experience in the music biz. First experimenting with EDM and taking inspiration from tracks she loved ice skating to, she soon found her niche in producing Hip-Hop-influenced Bass with a taste for the dark side. Her signature sound, combined with energetic live sets, where she’s always keen on springing onto the table and jumping along with the audience, has brought her worldwide recognition. This year, her impressive online popularity stats were also rewarded with a “Best Female Bass” IDMA nomination.

Her drops are so famous, they have their own YT videos.

“I always vibe off energy,” she explains when we ask about finding the right vibe when spinning live. “Everything is how I'm feeling, and I vibe off energy from nature or another person. It really helps me when the people in front of me are open with sharing their energy as well. That’s why I make it my goal to open up places in people they may have not known were there.”

Hit like a girl

Her ambition doesn't end with giving it her all during live sets. In February, she dropped “So Thick”, a collab with Baby Goth, who penned and crooned the “empowering bad girl” lines to Whipped Cream’s pumping beat. The result was an instant hit, even though they initially had to re-schedule its launch. The reason? Appearing on the official “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey” all-female soundtrack was an offer they couldn’t refuse. WC explains: “Kevin Weaver (head of Atlantic Records’ West Coast division) heard the track about two weeks prior to us dropping it. He wanted it, so we pulled it just for the movie.” When released, the dynamic star-studded soundtrack was met with praise, and “So Thick” snatched 1M all-time streams in under one week.

As one eloquent Twitter user put it: “queens supporting queens, ya love to see it.”

Besides the obvious “clown – Joker” parallels, are the lyrics and Whipped Cream’s creative vision inspired by the real-life experiences of women in a male-dominated scene? “Absolutely!” says WC. “A lot of the older music I’ve made is literally inspired by what it’s like being me in this industry. Tracks like 'Ignorant', 'Suffocate', or 'Us', a track on an upcoming project.” At least, she adds, you can count on other women to approach and support you.

“I find other women super supportive. We have to be, and there’s no real reason we shouldn’t be.”

A strong support system is often key in the industry. And in WC’s case, she's lucky to have one at home as well. “My dad is my biggest fan, and I’m so lucky to call him my best friend,” she tells us. “Our music tastes are very similar. Any genre, any age, as long as it’s good music!” (Note: If you need to dig into a big bowl of wholesome in these troubling times, check out this Instagram video. You’ll also be pleased to learn that Dad’s also on IG).

Blondes apparently do have more fun.
Source: Instagram

But even when you do everything right, some things can turn sideways overnight. Just when WC really picked up momentum following the success of the “Birds of Prey” soundtrack, coronavirus struck, cancelling all the gigs she had worked hard to get. “The whole tour was postponed until fall. Ultra, Coachella, all of them. It’s sad, but the health and safety of the world is what’s most important to me. I will take this time to meditate and really ground, to reconnect with the Earth and myself. To make music. To breathe.”

Make it – but don’t fake it

As a self-taught female producer, WC is adamant in following her creative goals, no matter how many obstacles she has to climb over. “Be ready to sacrifice a comfortable life. Fight for your vision. And get ready to be told 'no' a lot.” As living proof that success can start in your bedroom, she directs up-and-coming musicians to a tutor they already know, just might not have utilized to its full potential yet: “YouTube can be your best friend. It’s a must-have, alongside a digital audio workstation and any kind of controller or software for DJ-ing. You can even try on Ableton software.”

But no matter the gadgets, the basic tool for making it in the industry is the creative spark itself. Or, as WC advises:

“Keep learning, no matter what it takes, and don’t forget to enjoy the process.”

Cover photo: Artist’s archive

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As Whipped Cream says, working hard for your vision pays off. We're here to make some of that work easier. If you're a musician, your profile, which is automatically updated with all your latest stuff, is probably already on Viberate. You can send it to promoters, talent scouts, and A&Rs, and use the time you'd otherwise spend updating your onepager on making music. Check it out and register to claim it.

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