College is the time to pursue whatever you are passionate about. It’s the point in your life where you can discover what you love, and for Temple University sophomore Will Brown, the music industry is calling his name.
Brown has possessed an interest since he was five years old and has played several different instruments throughout his life such as the violin, guitar, piano, drums and ukulele.
In the seventh grade, Brown began to write his own songs and perform at open mic nights. The following year, Brown started to produce his own work and continued producing throughout high school. Additionally, Brown uploads his music onto Soundcloud for those interested in checking out new music.
What’s unique about Brown is that unlike other musicians, he goes by two separate aliases to separate the two distinct genres of music he likes to produce: Wildabeast and Charley Coin.
“Wildabeast is the name I started putting things out under when I first got into producing. I’ve made everything from house music to dubstep to indie pop and hip hop and trap as Wildabeast—so it’s a real mash up of different stuff that really depends on what I’m into at the moment,” Brown explained “Charley Coin is a more recent persona that I made last year when I wanted to start writing and releasing R&B and Pop that I would sing on. I have an EP and a few extra singles up already as Charley Coin and I’m really excited about that project’s potential.”
Being in an environment with other young students following their passions, Brown’s love for music has grown even more.
“Temple has been super helpful because all of my friends who also make music are around and there’s always the opportunity to work with other talented people on projects. In high school, there was just a much smaller network of musicians and it’s really nice to see it grow. My classes teach me a lot too,” Brown said.
On top of completing his schoolwork, Brown teaches ukulele and guitar lessons 2-3 times a week. He believes that working with kids improves his own creativity, and he learns just as much from his students as they learn from him.
Brown also interned at a local recording studio in a program designed for college grads. If Brown has learned anything valuable in college, it’s to never give up on your dreams.
“Music is one of the few things that can make life enjoyable, and I like to access that joy as often as I can by trying new ideas, and making new songs every day,” Brown stated. “I think anyone who loves music has felt the unexplainable part of music that reaches deep down in you and hits right in the heart—that’s why I like it. “
Catch Brown at either of his Soundcloud accounts or his Facebook page.