Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Hoffer.
Hi Kyle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hey there, my name is Kyle Hoffer and I am a music producer, musician, and audio engineer. I record, write, perform and produce songs for other artists/bands/acts as well as for myself. I specialize in full productions from writing and recording to mixing; however, I am very adept at all of the music production facets.
I was born in Towson, MD I moved around quite a bit as a child before ending up in Jacksonville, FL for my formative years. Throughout my time in middle/high school there, I met a number of individuals who would ultimately end up changing my life and leading me to my music. In 6th grade, I attended a magnet art school for something entirely different than what my current life reflects; drawing. Memories of the guitar students passing around their classical acoustics in the morning before the first period is ingrained in me as it was pulling me closer to melodies and notes. Eventually, this led me to spend hours teaching myself how to play guitar even though I was totally inept. Taking afternoons to explore music and attempt to learn songs that were way too hard for me to play.
Fast forward to 2010 after years of playing countless shows for hundreds of crowds in various different acts and bands in the Jax scene. As much as I felt like a veteran I was far from it, but I knew it was time for the next step. By this time I had already become very adept at using music software, recording demos for myself and others; but then I got my first full paid gig to record a band. These people I did not know in the slightest came at a recommendation by a good friend of mine. That experience in turn led me to moving to Orlando, FL to go to Valencia College for Sound Technology which I graduated from with my associates in 2013.
Taking a break from school, I became a resident house engineer at a local studio in Winter Park, FL named Sound Lounge Studios. I really cut my teeth there as a working audio engineer. With the difficulties of keeping up a room as well as the demand and schedule, I learned what it took to be a full-time musician and producer. After Sound Lounge closed down in 2016, I was forced to move back into my rental homes to use for my productions.
Upon that, I decided to return to school for my undergraduate degree. Luckily, the University of Central Florida had just recently added a new section to their hospitality school, stemming off of their Events Management program. Entertainment Management was a perfect solution for me after spending years contemplating what to get my degree in. During that time I got interested in show production and booking, leading me to start my own local music festival.
Pulp Music Festival is something I started in 2017 as a means to cultivate growth for my community and self. I brought together a number of acts in Florida and surrounding states for a one-day, three-stage music event that would change the course of my life. It did well enough that I broke even, which is notably a big feat in running such a big event practically on your own. However, it wouldn’t have been possible with some close friends and local businesses.
This event led me to record some of my most notable artists to date, which I am eternally grateful for. I truly wouldn’t be where I am without setting foot into that territory and without the support I received from my community. My last Pulp Fest was in 2019, before the pandemic hit, which was my most successful yet. I was able to book bands from the West Coast and even some larger acts as well. Unfortunately, I have not continued that event yet.
Finally graduating from UCF in Spring of 2020, right when COVID-19 shut down the country, I was ready to take on the world. In fact, for my last course and credit, I spent my semester in Portland OR working with a very accomplished producer and band as an assistant engineer. Upon returning to Florida, I had garnered a wonderful sense of worth and hype around my work. It was a wild feeling, as I was on top of the world right when the world went on pause.
Now, we have where I am today in 2022. I run my productions out of a home studio near Downtown Orlando, FL full time between working other gig-based jobs. The last year I think we can all agree has been a bit of a blur, but nonetheless, time well spent. This year will be a good one, however; with my first two fully produced full-length records coming out, among many other works which I am very excited to showcase. I look forward to continuing my story!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From time to time, but mostly it’s been a moderately difficult uphill climb.
Financial, personal and career struggles are very real. Especially when it comes to the music industry. Your image is truly so important and the smallest thing can tarnish that. I believe being bold goes a long way, though. Integrity is an important trait to own. I am lucky to currently have people in my life who fully support what I do.
2021 was a bit rough in that department for me, in a way I feel like I fell due to some external issues alongside pandemic woes. Sometimes these setbacks are really great though; they put what’s truly important into perspective.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of my favorite things to do is to write with artists. This is still something I am exploring my talents in, but it brings a massive amount of satisfaction to put together a song that is truly self-actualized as the best it can be. I admire creatives who chase after that type of result in anything, not just music. I believe as a music producer, this philosophy sets me apart from many others.
I am most proud of my work with the Sarasota, FL band Camp Trash. I produced, recorded, co-wrote, and mixed their EP ‘Downtiming’ which was released in January 2021 through St. Louis-based label, Count Your Lucky Stars. During that same month, we cut their full-length record, which will be coming out sometime in April of 2022.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I wish I was better about reading books more, but I honestly spend most of my relaxation time hanging out with family/friends or going on walks and such. Same with podcasts, I don’t really make the time to sit through them enough.
Occasionally I will read before bed though; some books I am reading now are ‘The Ultimate Survival Guide to the New Music Industry’ by Justin Goldberg which is actually about the “Old” music industry, but it’s been bringing me some unreal insight due to retrospect. Some other books I read are The Four Agreements, Writing Better Lyrics, and the Addiction Formula. Most of the stuff I read is non-fiction based for sure.
Contact Info:
- Email: khoff@ponderifica.com
- Website: https://www.ponderifica.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponderifica
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tonsoffun123
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ponderifica
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ponderifica
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ponderifica
Image Credits
Josh Evangelista, Maria Jazel, Carlos Chan, Perez Rose, Carbonell Jessica, Bender Alex, Roberts Drew, Portalatin Chris, and Crownover
