This week Type One sat down with the energetic Brett Koolik to discuss his career as a pianist and singer. Koolik describes his love for the hobby and opens up about his challenges when attempting to master the difficulties of the piano. Brett discusses his creative twists, creative process, and more with Type One.

T1: How old were you when you started singing and playing the piano?

Brett: I was in 4^th grade, around 10 years old

T1: What’s your favorite genre of music to play?

Brett: I like to play classical music to practice. When I’m playing alone or playing for people I like to play pop so I can entertain them. However, if I want to get better, I practice Mozart.

T1: Who is your major influence in music?

Brett: Probably musician Ed Sheeran. He’s super creative. Sheeran uses loop pedals when he’s playing which makes his sound unique. He’s really cool and has a good genre. He uses a lot of acoustic, which I like.

T1: Why do you enjoy playing piano? What’s your favorite thing about it?

Brett: It’s an entertaining hobby. Also, when you get good at it you can just mess around and actually create something. My favorite thing about it is the ability to express myself. You can be creative and what you play will express how you’re feeling.

T1: What is your favorite memory with regards to playing piano?

Brett: I preformed for this concert and raised money for Japan after the tsunami. It’s a good memory because I used what I loved to help out a community in need.

T1: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Brett: “You never know what you can do until you try” – Joseph Delaney. I like this quote because originally I did not want to start playing piano. Once I began, I realized I could actually get good, so I put in hours and worked hard. I didn’t know I had the ability to play piano yet now I’ve gotten really good.

T1: Are you taking classes related to music?

Brett: I was in jazz band last year. Also, I took Music and Media and Music Theory AP.

T1: How will you use music for the rest of your high school years and your career?

Brett: Well…I can use it to get babes. All jokes aside, I can do all the Playing for Change concerts. Also, if there’s a piano anywhere, I can just sit down and start playing when I’m out with friends.

T1: Are you working on anything currently?

Brett: Yeah a few songs. Can’t tell you what they are though until they come out on Soundcloud!

T1: What is your biggest challenge?

Brett: I get nervous when I preform, especially with anything that requires a lot of technicality.

T1: What is your biggest accomplishment?

Brett: Learning the sonata. It’s a long piece, like 10 pages. It was a full length sonata, and it required a lot of skill, practice, scales and understanding the music and the shifts.

T1: How would you describe your creative process?

Brett: I sit down, and I start playing chords and see where it takes me, and I start writing the melody over it with my voice.

T1: What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Brett: Funny, kind, smart.

T1: What has influenced the piece of work you’ve shared with us today?

Brett: I’m performing the song “Lego House.” It’s good for my voice; it’s played in a good key. I make it interesting because it’s a slow song, but I mash it up and start off with a rap. It’s a really fun piece.

T1: What do you hope people will take away from your work?

Brett: I want to inspire them because I have a certain genre style. Maybe people will get inspired and maybe look at some other alternative bands. Maybe they will listen to the words and see how it applies to them and their lives.