I'm finally talking about this.

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on their journey from being a classical harpist to embracing their identity as an artist. They discuss overcoming self-doubt, the challenges of fitting into the elitist world of classical music, and their experiences as the first artist-in-residence at the Pollock-Krasner House. The speaker also explores the intersection of art and content creation, emphasizing the importance of creative freedom and authenticity. Their latest album, 'Stone,' blends personal experiences with artistic process, and they encourage viewers to embrace their art without fitting into predefined molds.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been playing the harp since they were eight years old but struggled to identify as an artist for a long time, despite their musical accomplishments.
• 😀 In college, the speaker earned degrees in music but still didn't consider themselves an artist, instead focusing on being a professional in various musical roles.
• 😀 The speaker co-founded a YouTube channel in 2019 that featured them playing harp through effect pedals, which helped them explore creativity, improvisation, and original music.
• 😀 Despite doing more creative projects like writing soundtracks for films and video games, the speaker still found it difficult to see themselves as an artist.
• 😀 A comment on the speaker's new album, saying 'I didn’t know you were an artist' because they thought they only reviewed ‘poop pedals,’ sparked a conversation about overcoming imposter syndrome and redefining what it means to be an artist.
• 😀 The speaker challenges the myth that artists need to be overly serious or present themselves in a 'perfect' and polished way, emphasizing that artists can embrace humor and imperfection.
• 😀 Growing up as a harpist, the speaker found the harp world elitist and struggled to fit in with the expectations of the traditional harp community.
• 😀 The speaker was finally recognized for their work in the mainstream music world, but still felt out of place due to the traditionalist views held by certain publications in the harp world.
• 😀 The speaker’s artist residency at the Pollock Krasner House in 2022 led to the creation of a 12-track album inspired by the artistic process of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner, drawing parallels with their own collaborative process with their partner, Russ.
• 😀 The album, titled *Stone*, features artwork created through lithography and aims to create a limited edition physical experience, unavailable online, reflecting the idea of art being a finite, special moment.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the modern challenges of balancing artistic integrity with the demands of content creation platforms like YouTube, emphasizing the need to adapt art for the platform while staying true to the core of the work.

Q & A

Why does the speaker mention not considering themselves an artist for a long time?

The speaker explains that despite their extensive experience with the harp and involvement in creative work, they struggled with the label of 'artist.' They often saw themselves more as a professional rather than someone engaged in purely artistic creation.

How did the speaker's perception of themselves change over time?

As the speaker began sharing more original music, improvising, and engaging in creative endeavors like film soundtracks, their view of themselves as an artist began to shift. However, they still struggled with the idea, especially in relation to traditional, elitist views of the art world.

What does the speaker criticize about the way traditional artists present themselves?

The speaker criticizes the overly polished, minimalistic websites and serious personas that many traditional artists adopt. They mention that this approach often feels disconnected from their own, more lighthearted and unhinged creative process.

How did the speaker's background as a harpist influence their feelings about being an artist?

The speaker felt alienated by the elitist environment within the harp world. They were more comfortable performing in public spaces like subway stations than in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, which added to their struggles with self-identifying as an artist.

What was significant about the artist residency at the Pollock-Krasner House?

The residency marked a turning point for the speaker. It included performances, talks, and a 12-track album project, inspired by the connection between Frank O'Hara's poetry and Larry Rivers' lithographs. This experience helped the speaker further explore their own artistic process and confidence.

How does the speaker describe their artistic collaboration with Russ?

The speaker and Russ collaborate closely on every project, never working independently on creative tasks. This collaboration mirrors the artistic process of Frank O'Hara and Larry Rivers, where both artists worked together, each contributing to the other's work.

What is the connection between the speaker's album 'Stone' and the lithographic work of Frank O'Hara and Larry Rivers?

The album 'Stone' was inspired by O'Hara and Rivers' collaborative lithographs. The album's creation mirrored their process of collaboration, where neither artist worked without the other, and it was tied to the idea of a finite, irreproducible work of art.

Why did the speaker choose vinyl as the format for their album 'Stone'?

The speaker chose vinyl because the physical pressing process parallels lithography, emphasizing the idea of a finite, unique experience. They wanted to create something that couldn't easily be reproduced or found online, making the listening experience intentional and tactile.

What is the significance of the frosted glass vinyl for the album?

The frosted glass vinyl symbolizes the unique and irreplaceable nature of the album. It represents the idea that the album, like the lithographs by O'Hara and Rivers, cannot be reproduced once the original is gone.

What does the speaker mean by the phrase 'We’re very serious about not being serious'?

This phrase reflects the speaker's embrace of both humor and creativity in their work. They suggest that being an artist doesn't always require a serious, somber approach—being lighthearted and unhinged can also be part of the artistic process.