Hamed Wardak
Hamed Wardak was born in Kabul and currently is in New York City while recently splitting time in Puerto Rico, as well. I was in the American corporate business landscape for many years. Recently, I left it behind to write, produce, and perform environmentally-altered techno music. A pseudonym: Valen of Wicked is the nightly DJ and the performer of the group.
What is your hobby?
My hobby is making music!
How did you get started with this hobby?
My mother introduced me to the emotional pull and the clarity of communication brought about by effectively-written musical movements when I was just a boy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Tell us what you love about your hobby.
It’s unbelievable ability to make everyone connect to their deeper well of emotions and how a melody can change the world.
What types of things/equipment have you spent money on for your hobby?
I have had to update my Digital Audio Workspace more times than I can remember in the last three years and spent more than one or two pennies finding the best equipment to give myself the best opportunity to succeed with the music that I write.
What are some of your favorite places to shop for your hobby?
Amazon.com
Musician’s Friend – https://www.musiciansfriend.com/
If you want a real store with real people to buy from in NYC, try
B&H Photo Video – not necessarily for anything musical, but for your computer and those more identifiable pieces that everyone knows, try B&H.
How much money have you invested into this? How much would a beginner have to invest to get started?
You would not have to invest a dime at first if you have a laptop. I learned and incorporate the major rules and fundamentals when making techno music into my repertoire long before I put together my first Digital Audio Workspace (DAW).
Are there any good books for beginners?
TRy… musictech.net
or onlytechno.net
or spotify.com
or technokids.com
There’s this blog called hamedwardakblog.com. I hear that guy has a ton of info for beginners and ios not too shabby of a musician himself. At least, that’s what his mom says.
Are there any online videos you recommend to help beginners?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlicX-Ao7u8 – HOBO DJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlicX-Ao7u8 – DASH GLITCH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqsHHHGkPxc – POINT BLANK MUSIC SCHOOL & Tom Hades
How has your hobby changed your life?
Music is at the very center of the ways that I communicate 24 / 7
What advice do you have for others starting out with this hobby?
If really wanna be good, train, study AND eventually create with DISCIPLINE. Discipline will show you exactly how good you may be at your hobby.