WENZDAY - How To Embody Headliner Energy and Make Music That Moves People

Wenzday is a bass house music producer and DJ who has been touring consistently, playing major festivals like EDC and Coachella and releasing on popular labels like Insomniac, Dim Mak and Confessions. She is also the co-founder of a label and collective called 40oz Cult and has built a dedicated audience of loyal fans she calls the "Heartbreakers".

In this episode we talk about her background as an open format DJ, how to have "headliner" energy, the importance of supporting other DJs, how to stay healthy while touring and much more.

Follow Wenzday here:
https://www.instagram.com/wenzdaymusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@wenzdaymusic

Follow Nik here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

And visit my site to join the mailing list, book a free coaching call or get in touch:
https://www.nikcherwink.com

Transcript

Track 1: 0:00

And I think the most important thing is, having that self-confidence of knowing and having the security in yourself as an artist that like, it doesn't matter where I play or what time. Where I am. If I believe in myself and I I trust the process, then you're just gonna exude, headliner energy, If you come in without self-confidence and that aura of like, I'm here to do my thing, I'm an artist. I'm confident in my art, that's the headliner mindset.

Nik: 0:37

What's up everybody? Welcome to the Headline Mindset podcast. Today's guest is an artist, producer and DJ who has been killing it in the house music scene. She's played major festivals, including Coachella and EDC, and not only does she have releases on some of the biggest labels in the industry, but she is the co-founder of a label and collective of her own called 40 Ounce Cult. This is Wednesday.

Track 1: 1:00

Hello everyone. Hello. Hello.

Nik: 1:02

What is up? So

Track 1: 1:04

How are we doing? It's so good to see you. Thank you so much for having me on. I'm such a fan of the podcast and I such an honor to be included. I'm so excited.

Nik: 1:12

Yeah, I'm pumped. Just before we got on, you said that you've been, you've been listening and I'm always excited to hear that, uh, that my friends are out there tuning in and, uh, yeah, happy to have you. You know, this is gonna be a fun episode because you're one of the people that I had the, you know, honor and privilege of getting to know and getting to teach, uh, during my time at Icon Collective when you were a student there. And now, a lot of time has passed, a lot of things have happened. I'm opening up my Instagram every day. I'm seeing you just like touring, playing shows, killing it, and I'm like, all right, let's connect and talk about this, uh, this journey that you've been on, because a lot of cool things have been happening and I'm just, I'm personally just excited to hear and I think we're gonna have a lot of great words of wisdom and lessons to, to share for all the listeners as we unpack your story.

Track 1: 2:01

I am so excited. I'm so excited. Like you said, we've, we've come a long way. We're different people than we were. I don't know how long ago. I'm not gonna date myself, but it was a couple years ago that I was at Icon, so I'm, I'm excited to share and, and talk about it.

Nik: 2:14

Yeah. Yeah. And so I know before you went to Icon, for those of you that are not familiar, icon Collective Music Production School, best Music Production School in the world. We don't need to say much more than that. You should know it. If you don't know it. Google that

Track 1: 2:28

Look it up.

Nik: 2:29

Look it up, brother. Uh, but before that you were like an open format dj, right? Weren't you? You were already DJing before you started producing. Tell me a little bit about what was going on in your life and career with DJing pre, pre icon.

Track 1: 2:44

absolutely. So I started DJing when I was in high school, like very, very early on. DJ Am was like my hero. It's basically been the only thing I've done my entire life. I know a lot of people, you know, maybe start a career and, and there, but I've literally been DJing my entire life, which is amazing. It's all I've wanted to do for a very long time. And so the, and but evolving, right? There's different levels to it. And so I started DJing. High school. once I got to college age, I, I really solidified myself in the open format circuit in la specifically, I was a resident DJ at the Playboy Mansion. I was DJing for a company called SBE, who's, uh, I don't know if they're still around these days, but they had properties like Hyde, um, which is still open right now in Hollywood. And so it was very cool for me to cut my teeth early. and it was really cool as well to be DJing for people who are still in the game today. used to open for JCO, the Mike, b Rick Rude, or Rick Trainer now as he goes by. So there were a lot of people that I saw hvac, another one. so it was, I was very, very fortunate to come out, come up in what I call like the blog house era, um, which I think was really the, the golden time for Hollywood nightlife as well. You had banana split sundaes, which was DJ AM's party with Steve Aoki. it was just, it was just really when kind of everything was coming together and I think. It was the first time, thanks to dj, am that the idea of being a dj. We were put on the same pedestal as like a rock star, right? Or a pop star. he was the first person to have a Vegas residency, and so it was really the first time that the mass media recognized DJing as something outside of maybe a birthday or about Msva or a wedding. so very, very fortunate that I was able to come up during that time. And then also too, because I think it taught me a lot of things. It taught me how to chase my money responsibly. It taught me how to value myself as a female artist in a game predominantly dominated by men. Still is. taught me how to read a room. It just taught me how to deal with kind of every walk of life, because when you're an open format dj, you are playing other people's music, right? Your job is to create an environment for people are going out for the best night of their life, right? And, and they expect that from you. so I always tell people, DJs are no better than, we're no better than security bartenders, club promoters, right? It's all symbiotic. We're all responsible. It's a hospitality industry, and so to learn how to navigate that very young, I'm very grateful because I think it's translated now to me as an artist performing my own songs, getting to play these incredible festivals, touring, et cetera.

Nik: 5:06

I really love that perspective, that everybody's really playing their role, right? The, the security is there to play their role. The promoter is the DJ is the, the crowd is there. Like everyone's doing their part and, and, and playing their role. And to have that experience, uh, I can see how, especially just having that foundation of. DJing and reading a room and, and knowing how to perform. A lot of people know how to produce and they can sit in their bedroom all day and make music, but it's, it's so different to actually get out there and put on a show and entertain a crowd. It's a whole different skillset. So cool that You came in with that.

Track 1: 5:38

You know, and I, I've always said this, at the hardest job lies on the shoulders of the opening dj the opening DJ set is truly an art form. And I don't think that that is expressed enough. I think sometimes it's very difficult. Look, I've been there where you play doors at a festival for, you know, the first 30 minutes of your set you're playing to an empty field with maybe a couple friends on the rail or my brother swinging a t-shirt. You know, same thing with a club, right? Your job as an opening DJ until you, you know, nowadays they kind of booked the same person for the whole night. But back in the day it was, you know, you were that 10 to midnight, so you're getting the early birds, you're getting the empty boots, you're warming up the crowd for this headline. You're setting them up for success. And so for any open format or opening DJs out there, or just just know you are seen that you are appreciated and it's, it's a really, can be kind of a, a love lost situation. But again, so, so valuable to know how to keep that smile, stay turned on, play the right music, because again, too, there's a lot of DJs and I've even seen it now. Where that op, that art form of opening has been lost. where I think people are there, especially with social media, they, they wanna have their moment. Um, and sometimes I think it sacrifices the integrity of the night when that happens because you're thinking about me, me, me. But again, it's not about you. It's about the whole situation. Right. And if you're, you're blasting the hardest song or a peak song at the wrong time, you're gonna burn out that crowd too fast. You're gonna burn out the person you're supporting. And so I wish that people would keep that in mind still and, and keep that, that happy medium, because I think it is truly important, especially as, as a attendee, you know, we all started as fans. I'm still a fan. I'm still going to shows, so it's important for us to, you want people there the whole night, you know?

Nik: 7:16

Yeah, and I think that's a great tie in to this idea of, you know, the headliner mindset, right? If you want to be a headliner, most people don't start off as the headliner. You usually start off, like you said, kind of cutting your teeth,

Track 1: 7:32

Mm-hmm.

Nik: 7:32

some of those empty rooms, but it, develops a lot of character. You get to pay your dues, you get to learn how to dj, you get to work your way up the ladder. I mean, that's gonna be usually a bit more common of a path than someone. Maybe you just have a hit record that goes viral But I think there's something really powerful to be said about actually, you know, paying your dues and growing into that. You know, like you're, you're at that level now where you're, you're getting those, those headlining, you know, bookings. And you can play a different set there than you can at, you know, nine o'clock. But you, you put, you put the time in to, to get to that point.

Track 1: 8:07

You know, I think also too, something that I was kind of meditating on pre this podcast was like, you know what, what is the headliner mindset And I think the most important thing is, it kind of goes in line with like the star mentality, right? It's having that self-confidence of knowing and having the security in yourself as an artist that like, it doesn't matter where I play or what time. Where I am. If I believe in myself and I I trust the process, then you're just gonna exude, headliner energy, right? You don't need to be playing drugs from Amsterdam at 9:00 PM to to be a headliner. Right? What's important is that no, you know, but it's, if you come in there and you act like a rock star, I'm not saying be a be a dick to anyone or be rude, but if you come in without self-confidence and that aura of like, I'm here to do my thing, I'm an artist. I'm confident in my art, and if you don't pick up on that, that's, you're lost. That's not mine. that's the headliner mindset. It doesn't matter where you are because, you know, there are so many different cities and places that I've had the, you know, the, the luck and the fortune to have visited that, you know, maybe aren't the most glamorous, they're not Las Vegas or Miami, but there's still shows and there are still crowds, and they're important markets. And again, you go in there every show like it is EDC or like Coachella, and you go in there and you say, Hey, I appreciate that you're here. I'm gonna show you what I'm about. If you like it, great. We'll, we will ride and grow together, and if not, okay, great. Your loss. Moving on. That's the liner mindset. That's that confidence and that self security.

Nik: 9:30

yeah. You nailed it. First off, I gotta say, I just became so much more of a fan of you. I already, I already, I already was a fan, but like now, like, I'm in, I'm in, I'm sold.'cause I, I love that so much. It reminds me of, of video interview I saw one time with Dee Snyder. He is the lead singer of Twisted Sister. It was like a

Track 1: 9:50

I know who that is. Yeah.

Nik: 9:51

Yeah. Eighties hair metal band. What was their, what was their big song? What

Track 1: 9:55

Oh my God.

Nik: 9:56

I don't know, eighties hair, metal band, but they're huge. You know, they were like mass, massive band d Snyder's, a legend. But he said that, he's like, I don't understand these rock stars that can go back to their hotel room after their show and party all night and trash their room and basically have the energy to like, keep going. He's like, when I go out and I play, he's like, I don't care whether it's it's 50 people or it's 50,000 people. When I go out there, I give it a hundred percent of my energy. I leave everything on that stage and when I'm done, like I'm, I'm done. He's like, I don't have the energy to, to party and go crazy. And, and it was like. It just reminded me of that because that headliner mindset, it is, it is an energy that you bring. It's an energy of professionalism. It's an energy of service. Like, I'm here to, to perform my best, whether that is nine o'clock and I'm gonna be the best opener possible. Or, or, you know, we were just talking about playing an after hours party, and how that's different. If I'm playing at two in the morning, you know, I'm, I'm gonna show up and play that as well. But it's the, it's the attitude and the energy that you show up to deliver in everything that you do.

Track 1: 11:03

And something I wanna add to that as well is I think that also translates off the stage too. I think a true headliner is someone who is down to bring up, up and coming artists and is not threatened by them. You know, I have a lot of peers that I, that I talk to who are very threatened by like the TikTok kids or the young kids or like Jen Alpha or whatever, and, and you know, we have these convers and I'm like, look, if you are intimidated by some kid half across the globe in his bedroom making music, you probably need to be in the studio more, making better music. Like, you know what I mean? There's room at the table for everyone. I think a lot of people have this conversation when it comes to female, be female. The industry loves to pit women against each other. And it's like, look there's room at the table for everyone. And being secure in yourself, in your art firm means you know what you can do. But also extending that hand and being like, Hey, I think you rock. I think you have something. Let me help you, let me bring you on. Because now you're a part of that artist's legacy, you're a part of their story. And I think a lot of people forget that. It's like if you extend a helping hand to someone and they blow up. You're part of their history now. You've solidified yourself in their fabric, which is like the coolest thing in the world if you think about it.

Nik: 12:07

Well, and if you also think about the entire essence of DJ culture and the electronic music, music industry support. Is literally tied into the DNA of how this whole thing works. It's like you go on stage and, and maybe some people only play their own songs the whole time, but that's very, very rare. Most likely you're playing other people's music, you're showcasing other people's art, right? This entire industry is built on DJs helping out other DJs and artists helping out other artists of, you know, remixing somebody else's song. a bigger artist puts your track out on their label, and then they take you on tour and they support you. Like, that's always really how it's been, and it's just completely entrenched in the fundamentals of how this thing works. So I think understanding that and living that way and being that kind of person, uh, you know, it's like a, on a, on a woowoo level, like Karma's real too. You know, like the more, the more you give, the more you receive. But literally in the way that this business works too, it is all about supporting each other.

Track 1: 13:09

Yeah. And I think that's also why you're seeing now more than ever, you're seeing artists creating their own labels because they, they not only want to support themselves, but they also want to put on other people who they think are great. And I think, you know, I think a lot, you know, years ago, I don't think a lot of, like the idea that you could go viral on something and blow up was still very foreign. You know what I mean? And I think nowadays you see these bigger artists like John Summit at the highest level, right? You have this record label. A lot of these artists you're putting on are, are significantly smaller than him, but just because of that boost and that co-sign, you're seeing them, you know, Excel, Walker and Royce are another great example. Like, they're constantly putting on new people and their friends, you know, and I think, I think that's really what it's all about. Because if you keep your art. Locked up and just for you, which believe me, is way easier so than done. You really, I think the universe really does reciprocate that a hundred

Nik: 14:01

and and also you have to be prepared for that opportunity. The best thing in the world that can happen is that someone opens the door for you and says, Hey, I'm gonna put put you out on my label, or I'm gonna take you out on tour. But also, you gotta be ready for that. You gotta be ready to bring it. You know what I mean? Because not everybody actually is, a lot of people kind of get that shot, but can you actually back it up? Do you have more music, you know, in the bank? Do you have the work ethic? Do you have the drive? It's like, it's like that, that Eminem song, you know, like you only get one shot, like seize the fucking moment and you gotta really hit a home run and hit it out of the park when that door opens, you know? And I think that that's why I'm so passionate about having your own personal shit together. Like you need to have like your life in order, you need to have that, drive and that mindset and just that hunger. Because when that opportunity comes, you gotta be ready for it.

Track 1: 14:48

I think the other thing too, that's not talked about a lot is I. Okay, cool. You've made it, someone's put you on, your song goes viral, right? You're put out on the road. I think something and, and something that I think you touch a lot on, obviously on the mental health aspect of touring is what I, what I call the emotional comedown. It's all fun and games. When you're surrounded by a bunch of people who are loving and adoring you, you have a promoter who's like, what do you need? Do you need little shots? You need a snack. Like, what do you need? Taking you to parties and then all of a sudden, 3:00 AM hits, you're in your hotel room and it is dead quiet. There was no one around you because a lot of people, myself included, can't afford to bring tour managers out all the time or sourcing photographers locally. So all of a sudden now it's 3:00 AM you're in a very quiet room, you get an hour to sleep, and then you're at an airport where you're the only person in the terminal and you're literally, you're fighting for your life and you're going, is this what I wanna do? Is this? And then to take it a step further. Then you get home and now you're at home. And you know, you back, back to reality back here at Trader Joe's. You're at CVS, you're like, no one knows I sold out Grand Rapids last night or whatever. But, but that emotional comedown is, it's extremely difficult. It's extremely difficult to, to handle, to comprehend. And I think that's why a lot of people lean into coping mechanisms because no one sets you up for that. You know, even like when you're, you're going to a music school, I was very lucky to be able to go to a school that prepped you on the production, the musicality side. But there wasn't a lot about, okay, how do you handle the disappointment of not getting a song signed? Uh, maybe you don't, your show doesn't perform the way you want it to. Or all of a sudden, you know, you're on day one of three of shows and you're by yourself and it's cold and you don't know anyone and you're hungry and there's food isn't open at the airport. Like, and I, I wish that when we talk about being ready, it's understand that that's part of it too. You know? And I think having that foundation, having people you care about, that you can FaceTime at those times or chat with, or I have a girl chat. My friends are around the world, which is great. Someone's awake and I'll literally hit the button and be like, guys, I'm, I'm, I'm fighting for my life right now in the Quebec City airport. You know, who's up? Who wants to chat? Send me tiktoks. And it's really important to not only establish the music, but to establish that circle early on because you're gonna need it. You need those cheer leaders at any point in time.

Nik: 17:00

Yeah. I love that. I really love that we're diving into this. It definitely is something that it, it's a necessary conversation and it continues to come up in, in this podcast because it's a very real thing. So let's talk a little bit more about what helps you manage life on the road and what helps you manage the emotional roller rollercoaster that comes with being an entrepreneur ultimately, but being an, you know, specifically in this case of being an artist. So I'm hearing having a, uh, an inner circle, having a support system. You said you have a, like a group chat that you, that you tap into.

Track 1: 17:32

I think first and foremost, and it took me a long time to real, to realize this is, is also exercise. Like you don't need to be the most fit. And there was definitely, I mean, even up until I think post covid times, if you told me I should work out on the road, I would look at you like you're insane. You're absolutely insane. However, I have found that, whether it's interim meditation, yoga, I know it sounds kind of crazy, but any little active thing, just to keep your mind and your body simulated is gonna be so important for those endorphins. you know, I, I even gotten to the point where I have class house now, so if I get to it, usually I land, I take an early fight. So I'll get into a city about one 2:00 PM I'll go in class about. And like, it gives me a chance to see the city. I can take a new class. I'm fit, you're, you're keeping those energies up. Because for a long time I would get somewhere I would order terrible food, you know, like chilies or something. I would eat in the bed, I'd be kind of down, I'd sleep, I'd crackerbox, which is fine, but then you're not gonna have long, longevity there, you know? So I think workout is one. I

Nik: 18:31

and I just wanna say real quick on that as well, establish those habits. Now, even if you're not touring yet, don't wait until you're thrown into that world to start establishing those habits, right? Like start doing it now. Get like, go learn how to do yoga. Go, go get a class pass. Go. Just start learning how to move your body. Like, I mean, anybody should be doing that anyways. But if you establish those habits now, you're gonna carry them with you when you do make that transition into full time,

Track 1: 19:00

And I think for me, what was happening is like I had those things at home, right? I was, I was on my routine. And then what would happen is I was, and again, I was young, so it's like you get to a new city and you're like, let's party. I'm here. I'm on the road. So you, so you're drinking maybe more than normal or it's very easy. Promoters, they wanna show you off, they wanna show you their account. And so then all of a sudden. You abandon all the kind of like health stuff. Like even now, like I don't even buy food at the airport. I bring my hydro flask, it's here, or my Stanley don't come for me. I bring that in my backpack. I fill it up at the airport. I bring my healthy snacks because it's so easy to get, because then what happens is if you get home Sunday, you sleep all day Monday, you're scrambling to recover, and now you have a four day week. And so if you maintain those habits early on and, and really solidify'em, the when now, now when I get home on Sunday, I might take a little nap, but then I have the rest of my day. It's not a lost day because I was, I was burning daylight. Like there was a, there was a minute where when I first started touring, like I would come home, the blackout curtains were closed. I was so exhausted. I was sluggish. And I, it really dawned on me after about three months, I was like, you know,'cause I'd see my friends like having a picnic or going to the Melrose Lee market or, and I was like, oh my God, I'm, I'm missing out on these daytime activities'cause I'm not taking care of myself for 48 hours. It felt like a week, but I was only gone for 48 hours, you know? And so yeah, set those, set those habits early because you, you will thank yourself, you know, in the long run. For sure.

Nik: 20:25

Okay, so group chats with your friends. Uh, he healthy snacks, drinking water, get a class pass, figure out some sort of activity.

Track 1: 20:37

Get a, get a, stand late. No, I'm just kidding.

Nik: 20:39

yeah.

Track 1: 20:40

Get a be like, be like, everyone get a stand. And I think also too, I think what's really important is, the last thing is, is like when you're touring. The, the benefit is that you return to a lot of markets often, right? We were talking about Austin, for instance. I've now been back to Austin a couple times, and every time I'm there, I make sure to, if I'm getting along with the promoter, I save their number. Photographers save their number, create little groups wherever you go. I, my brother and I talk about this all the time. We are so fortunate. I think pretty much every continent outside of Africa, we have friends and, and Antarctica. We have friends in the majority of countries or, or at least someone who is related to someone. I was in, I was in Thailand a couple years ago, and my girlfriend, who I went to college with was like, oh my God, my, my cousin lives in Thailand. He is a Michelin chef. I was like, what? Any now, anytime I have friends going to Thailand, I send them his number. I'm like, go eat his restaurant. He will hook you up. He loves to rave, et cetera, et cetera. But it's create those communities. Don't just, you know, remember to save the people's numbers. Remember to keep in touch with'em, follow back for the love of God, follow people back on Instagram. This whole culture of like, I don't wanna follow people back, follow than me. Follow them back. Keep up with what they're doing because they will do the same with you. And now, you know, after touring for consistently, since like 2018, I now can land in a place and go, oh, cool. I know someone here. It really helps with that loneliness and it really helps to keep, keep, you sane for real.

Nik: 22:11

So this is a good segue back into your journey because I think what I saw from you is that you are really good at networking and building relationships, you were in LA obviously you were, I mean, even in your open format world, I'm sure you already were developing those relationships and being good at that. but then you went to Icon and I I, I imagine you just, you realized that to really get to that next level, making your your own music was gonna have to be a part of it.

Track 1: 22:41

Yeah, so what happened was is I basically, so, uh, for those of you who don't know, Dak, Jans is my brother. And so Tanner actually went shout out Tanner. He said that he actually told me to tell you hi. He goes, yes, Nick. so Tanner was already at Icon. we, we kind of switched Pats producer, then dj, and then I was dj, then producer. And what was happening was Tanner was an icon and I was steadily getting frustrated. You know, as I said earlier, the club nights are not about you, right? You're in an ecosystem. And so what was happening, it wasn't the song request, can I hear Drake at Midnight? Can I hear this song? It was that I was playing other people's music and seeing that reaction, it would elicit and being like, oh, I wish, I wish I could have an edit. That would be this and this, but I didn't know how to get there. Right? Then Tanner goes to Icon. I start realizing, he sits down with me. He was like, if you want this and this. We can make this a reality, right? We have the technology. So I was really inspired by that because it, I was hungry for more, right? I was capping out out a ceiling. I was very fortunate I got to DJ clubs in Vegas and Miami and New York. Like I was, I was getting to the highest session on where, open format, where other people's music would take me. But I was getting hungry for like, okay, but like, I can do this better. Or I would hear a song and be like, I can, I can, I can do this. You know what I mean? Now that's easier said than done, but So really

Nik: 24:02

then you got Ableton and opened it up and you were like, oh shit.

Track 1: 24:05

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Then you're like, okay, well,

Nik: 24:08

what did all these buttons do?

Track 1: 24:10

right. No, exactly. I, I still do that. I'm still like, I'm Googling like, what is this again? so that was really the catalyst was that I was seeing how much joy. Tanner was getting out of having his own thing and creating something that was his. and I wanted that. And so that's really what led me to Icon and, and all through Icon, I was still working because obviously I had to afford Icon and I had to afford my life. and

Nik: 24:31

that was D and that was DJing. You were, you were,

Track 1: 24:33

was DJing. I would literally go to Icon. I was in the, the afternoon club, afternoon group, so it would be like noon to six, and then I would get home, and then I was off to the club at 10:00 PM 10 to two, sometimes the same place, sometimes two nights. because I obviously had to keep it going. And that's where it got really crazy because I was, I was going to Icon and I was so inspired and I was around this incubation of artists and then all of a sudden I was at the clubs where it was like, okay, playing Drake again at,

Nik: 25:01

Mm.

Track 1: 25:02

oh, it's your birthday, happy birthday to so and so. It was almost like, yeah, it just started to just not be enough for me. then obviously post Icon, you know, I think a lot of people get this idea that you graduated from school and it just happened. I, I graduated from my comment, it took two years of me still DJing in the clubs working. So it was like wake up all day doing music, making my own music, then playing in the clubs at night. And again, I was in situations where it wasn't even like I could club test my records because I was fully immersed in the hip hop open format scene. and I was making, at the time, I was making bass music'cause that's what Tanner was making, and I had this resource and this c padre at home. So I got in, I, I always loved house, which is why I kind of went the base house route. So it kind of merged the two together and I had a resource there. My brother's incredible sound designer. I had help there where it was like, okay, I'm hearing this. How do I, how do I make this a reality? Right?

Nik: 25:52

lemme ask you this. when you were grinding during those two years, I'm curious about what that really looked like for you, because I think that that stage is so important. You don't get to skip that stage of like, I have to put in the hours and really not only learn my craft, but master my craft and make good music. Right. So, tell me about what that stage of life looks like and I'm curious about really like. How many hours were you putting in a day and like, what was your approach to, to the studio? You know, because I just see it, a lot of people that come to me, that's still something that we are, we're really working on, that they're kind of struggling with is either finding the time or finding the inspiration or,

Track 1: 26:32

so for me, what a typical day looked like was I would work till. So this is post school, right? So work till 2:00 AM I would allow myself to sleep until like 10. I need sleep. So I would set my alarm and then I would get right to it. I would, you know, get coffee or whatever. And, and when I say the studio, this was a desk in my bedroom.'cause I had a studio apartment. My studio was my studio apartment. so you're sitting down and there was a lot of days when I got out of Icon because Icon was very structured, right? So you knew what you were working on every given week. So all of a sudden when you're sitting in front of a blank Ableton screen or a logic screen or a notepad, I was like, oh, okay. This is, this is real life and it's really hard. I think the biggest thing that I had to learn too was making music is like working through the mud. It's gonna get really bad before it gets better. Like, I listened to some of my whips from like 2017 and they, uh, they're not great. And I even looked at the other day, I was looking through my emails, like I had a, a very good French DJ friend who I, people can assume who it is, but I remember I sent him a project I had and he hit me up and he goes, I'm so happy you're producing, but this song is ear fatiguing. Okay.

Nik: 27:48

This literally hurts me to listen

Track 1: 27:50

This literally it's fatiguing my ears. And I don't even know if you remember saying that to this day, but it was one of those things, it was like, oh, okay. Can you imagine? Not only is this person like my friend, but I'm like a fan of them and I'm I'm thinking, I'm feeling good. I'm

Nik: 28:05

but that's, but that's the kind of honesty we need though. You know what I mean? Those are the friends I want in my circle is to like keep it real and tell me where I'm really at and not blow smoke up

Track 1: 28:13

Absolutely. absolutely because, you know, I could send it to my mom and be like, this is, you're doing great, sweetie, but that doesn't help me. And so it really was, it was, I would say I was very fortunate in, in 2018, as most people know, I wrote hard breakout, which was really my breakout single, which I credit. Everything too. But from before Heartbreak House came up to that point, it was really a year of, like I said, working through the mud, waking up every day, thinking I'm having something, scrapping it, thinking I'm having somebody scrapping it, and then having to go to work, to, to go DJ clubs, getting reinspired and doing it again, it felt like a hamster oil and I was exhausted. I really I really was because it, and that was really the time where I didn't have a lot of time for friends. I didn't really have time for just a lot of things in general. then what happened was probably a year after things started to really click for me. It was, okay, this is what I want. This is what I, this is what I'm getting feedback wise, it's working and what's not working. I had a couple releases, shout out, gold Digger, shout out Diba, shout out Noso Blanc, uh, majority French labels. because the base house sound at that time was really being pioneered by them. they were the labels that were getting back to me who are giving me feedback. Constructive feedback being like, Hey, this is what's working. This wasn't, and, and really taking that feedback and listening to it, and then all of a sudden 2018 hits and I write Harre House and Insomniac Records picked it up and it was kind of off to the races after that, but it was not without, I think I'd say before Heartbreak House got signed, I think I had 19 versions. Like it's like we were on V 19 and, and even that was like, because it started as one thing and ended up being something completely different.

Nik: 29:45

and that was based off of like label feedback that you were getting, you were talking to like label ars or just other friends and stuff as well?

Track 1: 29:51

Yeah. Heartbreak House didn't have Kevin full on it at first. We had a, it was just Welcome to the Heartbreak House, which was my voice, and then it was that, it was, we need a rapper. No, we need a singer. Nevermind. Not that it was just, you know, and it's hard too because I think when you're starting out, you wanna be a sponge and you wanna absorb everyone's advice of gold, including people listening to the podcast, right? You can hear what I'm saying. But not everything I say is gonna apply to you specifically. But when you're starting, you're so enamored by like the a and r or like fellow DJs that I could play my song right now for two, for you and for my brother. And you guys are gonna gimme different feedback just based on who you guys are. You know what I mean? And so you have to learn how to filter out that noise. And I think there were so many versions and iterations because I was just taking everyone's advice. And sometimes I would be writing songs where like gave me advice on the hook, but then abstract gave me advice on the drop. And then my brother was talking to me about the verse and it's like, wait, wait, wait, wait a minute, but this is my song.

Nik: 30:49

Hmm.

Track 1: 30:50

what does Taylor want in the song? Because when you start listening to everyone's opinion as also who knows where they are when they're listening to it, they could be taking a walk with their dog, they could be in the grocery store. You know, and it's, and the same thing goes for a and r I'd say like when you send music you never know who, who, or what that person's going through that you're sending music to. So things may not get picked up right away or may not be well received. It might not be because of you or because of songs, but it just be what's going on and you don't, you're not privy to that information.

Nik: 31:19

Yeah. Yeah. And it comes back to. You being the artist, you're the artist. You get to make the final call, you get to make that final choice. And really being in tune with like, what feels good to you and what lights you up And, you know, I taught the Art of Flow at Icon Collective. I'm always gonna come back to like tapping into that, that own, inner voice and just trusting yourself.

Track 1: 31:42

I will say this, and I've been, haven't been wrong yet and I, I attribute it a lot to your class at Icon. When I finished, we'll use Heartbreak House as an example'cause I just talked about it. But when I finished writing that song, version one, at least like for, for all intents and purposes of version one, I literally, I got like the butterflies on my stomach and I was like, Taylor, like, you're even writing the verse, right? Heartbreak house. I knew, I knew very early on I wanted to create like my own genre of like breakup house music. So when I landed on that name and that title, I gave myself chills, basically. I was like, Taylor, like this is, you have something here. And you know, and, and fast forward to even songs I'm putting out now if I don't get that feeling. Then I either need to keep tweaking it or maybe we put it on the back burner and start something else. You, you will know when it's right. It's just like I, I equate it to dating. You know when the person's right for you and you know, in the pit of your stomach when something's wrong, there's good butterflies and there's bad, is are the butterflies a warning signal or is it excitement because you're Honda something and learning to discern between the two is invaluable.

Nik: 32:46

And learning. How to tune in to the feeling. Make your choices from the feeling rather than the thinking, right? To make those choices from your really, I mean, you're talking about your body, you're talking about butterflies, feelings, your gut, like it literally is a physical sensation that you can feel like, ooh, this is activating me. I'm feeling something. Which ultimately is what you want people to experience when they listen to your music. You want them to feel something. You don't want them to nec, I mean, maybe you want them to think something, but so much of the, you know, creative blocks that people experience it, it all happens in the mind. It's because we're thinking, oh, should I put this out? Is this the right thing to do? Is this what this label is going to like? You know, we get caught in our head and That's the key. That's your key to freedom is get outta your head and get into your body. What does it feel like? Does it give you butterflies? does it touch that part of your soul? Like, fuck Yeah. Cool. And then if not, like you said, yeah, maybe, maybe come back to it later or, or keep, keep tweaking it until it does.

Track 1: 33:46

Yeah. Look, we've all had that song that we hear and it brings us back to some sort of memory or visceral reaction or whatever it is, and that's, that's all we as artists strive for, right? If, I can affect one person that can make one person's day, it doesn't matter if I never play a festival ever again, to me, that's a win to me. I did what I set out to do. Of course, we always strive to do more, but I think, I think that's another thing that I. If I can give any advice, and it's advice I should take myself as well, is that be excited for your accomplishments because there's a lot of people who don't even get through step one, whether it's they give up or whether it's not for them or whatever. And so just even committing to your art is such a win and such a victory. And, and, and pitting yourself in that vulnerable place that's not a small feat whatsoever. you know, you've already just put yourself there. That's off the work.

Nik: 34:34

yeah, yeah. And I just posted something about this on my Instagram the other day, but I think it's really important to. Acknowledge yourself. I think for every artist out there that's listening, that's like chosen to take this path that has committed to working on their music, to putting themselves out there, like you deserve to be recognized. You deserve to be acknowledged. You deserve to be, you know, to, to, to be celebrated. And that starts with yourself. Like, just take a moment, please, right now to celebrate your damn self, even if you're just starting off. But it's like it, this is taking the road less traveled, not, you know, a lot of people dream of doing this. A lot of people dream of, uh, you know, putting themselves out there, you know, starting a business or doing something and they don't fucking do it. They sit on the sidelines. And so for every artist that is out there, what I would call in the arena, actually getting in the arena and doing it, like you deserve to be, you deserve to be celebrated. So please take a

Track 1: 35:31

Abso absolutely. And I think also too, we gotta protect our artists. you know, the world would be nothing without art. And so the fact that, yeah, you've chosen to, to take your heart and put it out there for the world to consume and to judge, and to comment on. Is again, it's no small feat, and so claps, props to you. Let's take a moment for the, for all the artists out there. Because it, seriously, it, it's, it's, hard. You know? And, and Nick, same thing with you. Like, you've done such an incredible job of like, I think even just providing nuggets of information on a week to week basis, which also is an art, art form in itself, because I'm sure sometimes too, there's days where you wanna take your own advice or you're like, oh my God, there's so many things going on in this world and stuff like that. And so for you to, to offer this, you know, community and this sense of guiding light is just so, it's so important. So thank you. If no one's celebrated you today,

Nik: 36:22

I appreciate you. Thank you so much. It really, I do. I. See it so much as my, this is my art form, you know, like this is my, my business is my, my creativity, you know, my, my service that I get to provide. Uh, the podcast has just been so cool though, over this last year to, you know, less than a year to, to start doing it. But, um, yeah, it's like I'm building out an online program right now, and it's like, this is like writing an album. Like, I'm sitting, I'm making videos, I'm making lessons and all of it, and I'm like, all the same lessons that I'm teaching to artists. I'm like, fuck. Like I actually get to go take all my own advice now and do this

Track 1: 36:59

abs.

Nik: 36:59

Yeah.

Track 1: 37:00

Absolutely, absolutely. But you know, I think we're not alone in this and every, everyone, like I said, your, your rise or your journey may be different, but at the end of the day there's, there is overlapping things, you know, from Prince to Kurt Cobain to Tiesto. I'm sure there's overlap all different genres, but I'm sure there's overlap in how they got there and the

Nik: 37:19

yeah.

Track 1: 37:19

and what it takes for

Nik: 37:21

When I, and I always say we're. We're all creators and we're all creating all the time, right? You're, but you're either creating consciously or you're creating unconsciously.'cause you're also, you're creating all of your, all of your goals, all of your dreams. You know, you wake up every day and like, you make decisions about what you're putting into your body. You're creating your health. You make decisions about how you show up in your relationship. You're creating the quality of your relationship. You're creating your, your, your bank account. All, every little thing that you do is a creative decision. are you doing it consciously or, or, or unconsciously. And so, you know, to really zero in and focus and say, Hey, this is what I want to create, right? This is what I want to create. This is the energy that I want to put in. And being really intentional about it. You know, I think a lot of people were just kind of floating through life and being like, all right, I'm just, I'm kind of getting pulled by life and I'm creating these things, but maybe not with so much. Heart or so much passion or so much intention. And so I think that's why I really love working with artists for this'cause everyone's just decided like, yo, this is the thing. This is what I'm gonna go create and, and I'm gonna pour myself into it. And, uh, it's a, it's a beautiful process, but I, I say all, all of us are artists. It's just whether you actually own it, you know, and whether you own it and admit it and are like doing it consciously and intentionally or not.

Track 1: 38:34

Yeah. And I think part of that too, as well is, is also is creating with yourself in mind. It is very easy and, and I've become, you know, a victim to it as well as like, let you know, TikTok, for example, right? We all know it's the platform to push and promote yourself. And I find myself sometimes catching myself like being lazy, right? Be like, uh, you know, it not putting my thought into the content because I have to do, it's being pushed upon me to do. And I, the it, I think it was like last week or two weeks ago and I really sat down and I was like, oh my gosh, okay, I have to do this. It may not be something I'd like to do. And, and we can translate that to maybe working a day job before you've made it, or if you're up and coming, you know, having to go to school. Because your parents want you to, while DJing and producing on the side, right? When it becomes a burden, take a step back. Remember why you do it. Kind of inject who you are into it. Make it fun again. And if it really isn't fun to you, then again put that by the wayside and focus on something else. You know, I, I look at like, sometimes with producing, I'll be extremely frustrated on track. I love DJing. DJing is hands down. It is my favorite thing in the world. Like I said, it's pretty much all I've done majority of my life. When I get frustrated in Napleton, I move over to my decks and I'll just mix. And it doesn't matter what it is because it's like, hey, I need to remember like why I'm doing this, what I love. And nine times outta 10, I come back to Ableton, refreshed, excited, creative, you know? So if you're getting stuck, go to something that really brings you joy because it will come full circle for sure.

Nik: 40:00

Yeah. Yeah, I notice, I definitely notice that with myself, where sometimes you can get, I, sometimes I can get just lost and caught and caught up and Yeah. you get maybe burnt out of like, oh, I'm just putting out content all the time. And, uh. You gotta really pay attention to, I guess the, it's like the energy from where it's coming from, right? And so just taking, taking a break or taking a step back, it's like, on the one hand, we really gotta grind and hustle and like be super disciplined with our time management. And like the more, the more stuff we put out, the better. But kind of to a certain extent.'cause there's a lot to be said too, where like, if you actually create more space in your life and actually more time for like nothing, and just sitting and chilling, it's like, I, I go sit on my fucking bench and watch the ducks at the pond. It's like, that's when I come back and I'm like, you know what I mean? I'm like, I, I, I'll just like take an hour off to just go do absolutely nothing. And then I'm like, oh. Like I get more grounded into my best self and then from my best self, I can create much better stuff. I, I serve my clients much better. I show up way differently. But when we're just like, oh, I, I gotta go, go, go, go. And we're, we're so packed. Sometimes we, we lose the potency of, of the energy that we're putting into it, right?

Track 1: 41:14

And sometimes when you remove yourself, you come back and you almost forget why you were frustrated in the first place because you're reinvigorated and you're reci about it, and you're like, you know, oh my gosh. It wasn't, it wasn't that difficult. Or it wasn't that. I just, you know, you just need to take a step a second. For sure. I love that you watched the ducks. That's amazing. I thought, I, I thought this was gonna go into hockey, and then you went like, ducks in a pond. I was like, oh, yeah. Or that too.

Nik: 41:35

Yeah, literally, literally, I, I, I have the little pond and ducks outside. I've named all of them. If you guys follow my stories, you can follow the, the chronicles of the all the ducks.

Track 1: 41:43

Stop. I love that. I love that. Yeah. Get into, get into nature, touch grass. It,

Nik: 41:48

yeah, Yeah, yeah. We need it. We need it. Um, okay, so post icon, you spent two years, like really just putting in the hours into the studio. You wrote something. Uh, it sounds like you kind of had that, that moment where the, the door really opened for you. You, yeah. Right. You had your, you had your, your songs start to take off. A lot of doors started to open. what else really helped you pick up momentum? Because now, you know, like I said, I'm seeing you on Instagram. You're playing, you're playing shows all the time. you're staying busy, you know, which is, which is so awesome to, to see. And I just want to congratulate you on that first. But what were, what were some of the other things that really helped generate the momentum to keep you moving forward?

Track 1: 42:32

Yeah, I think, I think first and foremost it was getting out and socializing. So, so post open format days, I really was, I was basically very turned off by the club atmosphere for a long time just because I really was experiencing that burnout. And like I said, sometimes being a woman in a very male dominated space can get old very fast. We can read between the lines there. And so really the idea of going out when I didn't have to, or when I wasn't getting paid to, I needed to swap that mindset. And so what happened was actually the, one of the big thing that really helped me was, uh, shut up. B sides. Do you remember BSides from Icon?

Nik: 43:10

yeah, yeah. Brendan.

Track 1: 43:11

he invited me to Space Yacht at Golden Box, and he invited me for like two weeks in a row. And the first shake, I, I, I literally said to him, I said, I don't go out unless you're paying me. And that was because I was jaded from open format. I. And he was like, okay. And then the next week he invited me again and he goes, Taylor, I, I understand. But he was like, it's not that far away, just come with me. I think this is like a really cool scene because again, I'm thinking like the open format, like the bottle club culture, right. I go to, yeah. So I'm thinking like, I'm gonna have a conversation with these people. I'm gonna talk to, I'm gonna talk to dj.'cause I didn't have conversations with people when I was working. I go to space out at Gold Box and I was absolutely blown away because I saw the community that they were building there. To this day, Henry Lewis stole one of my best friends. it was such a 360 or 180 from what I was used to. And so really getting yourself out there and networking and, and getting, now I'm not saying to go out and just party every night. However, there is a time and place for what I saw was the more I supported people like Space Yacht, the more they were gonna support me. And in in line with that, my brother, our label 40 ounce, you know, there's a reason that our majority of our 40 ounce takeovers to this day, so with space yacht, because they saw us very quickly. Supporting them, retweeting posting and, and sharing the love. I think that was another thing that I credit was that I would, I, I'd like to say I'm pretty good at the internet. Um, I came out of like the MySpace Tumblr era. Again, don't date me. Um, but I really, when I was coming from that era, I, I really had no shame. I was messaging, I was straight up like messaging DJs, like DJ Am on MySpace, being like, I love your mix. I saw you last night. Like, I was learning how to community build through the internet. and so I think when that translated to, you know, I like to like the Wednesday's Heartbreakers, like the Heartbreakers group really blew up on Facebook because even though I wasn't touring that much, I'd maybe have a show a month. A lot of them very localized to Southern California. But I was using Wednesday's Heartbreakers as a way to connect with people, whether or not they were even going to shows. We were sharing playlists, we were doing that. Now it's translated to like broadcast channel on Instagram. Which is hard because people can't comment back. So the community sense is kind of gone. But the biggest thing I'd say is to hone in on, on your community. for me, how I saw things was, let's say I'd post an Instagram story about my song and it only got like a hundred views. That's still a hundred people caring about what my music has to say and what I'm saying. So don't disregard that. I hear a lot of people talk about like, view Jail. Oh, I'm in View Jail, I'm getting under a thousand. Okay. Yeah, but so you mean 800 people still care about what you're doing day day, they still care about the music you're putting out. Like, let's not disregard those 800 people. so that was really quickly what I, what I figured out was if I can lock on to like 40 or 50 at the time, really dedicated fans. Okay, cool. Because guess what? Anytime I dropped March merch, those 40 or 50 were buying it. You know, when I, when I would go play in Chicago, I had fans traveling to go see that show or

Nik: 46:13

yeah. I wanted to ask about that because you've developed a really loyal, like a, like a crew, right? The, the

Track 1: 46:21

Yeah.

Nik: 46:22

the heartbreak club is The heartbreaker, heartbreak, the heartbreakers, right? Like, that's so, that's so rad. So what are, like, how, how have you done that? Why are these people so loyal and like, you know, what is it that it takes to really develop a solid community that actually sticks with you and, and follows you?

Track 1: 46:40

well, to me, what defines a heartbreaker is someone who stands for, who puts himself first in the sense of, and let's, we'll use love as an analogy, right? A heartbreaker if you, oh, she's a heartbreaker, right? She knows what, she knows what she's about, she knows her standards, and she's not gonna take any less, anything less than that if you apply that to day to day. And that's really what I wanted as my ethos as an artist and for my fans, is like, you guys are Heartbreakers. If you're part of the Wednesday crew and a family. You know your worth, you know your value, you love yourself, and you're also because we're so secure in ourselves, we're gonna love others, right? We don't see co race or gender or color or whatever. Right? And that was what was really important to me as an Asian female too, was breaking down any sort of like gender or racial stereotypes. And, you know, on top of that too, very early on, like I said, I knew very early on that the, the Heartbreak House project, or like as those eps, they're all co conceptual projects, right? So there's Heartbreak House, and then we went to the Heartbreakers Club, right? We left the house now in the club. so what I wanted was like to, I wanted my music to resonate. And I always laugh. Like if you look at Taylor Swift, why does Taylor Swift have as many fans as she does? It's because she writes about topics that are relatable. She writes about heartbreak and love and, you know, having to leave situations that don't serve you. And that's really been kind of the ethos of my music. And so what happens is when you're writing about topics that are relatable. I mean, not to put some of my fans on Blast, but I've, I've been at festivals where I've had women specifically walk up to me saying I was abused for years. And I, it finally took me turning on your song for me to leave him. I, played your song Walking away from a situation. I had a very incredible heartbreaker telling me, you know, her and her son were in a situation that did not serve them. And she, she literally was playing my song as they drove away. And that's kind of the song that brings them back. And I'm literally getting choked up thinking about it. But again, when I was writing that song, that's, that is not the situation I thought it was gonna lead to. I was just like mad at my ex. But when you can create art that's universally applicable, then I think you're gonna create a fan base that's there for the right reasons. You know what I mean? And, and look, nowadays I can write, my song is coming out on Friday. We're talking about smoking weed, right? It's, it is so much more lighthearted than, than the breakup factor. Again, too. It's also because my fans, they need a little, we need a little light in the dark. We need a little party. It's not all gonna be sad,

Nik: 49:03

and that's a part, that's a part of you. That's part of who you are. It's, right. Which, which, that part gets to be shared. And ultimately what I'm hearing is that you really. You really know who you are as a person. You know who you are as an artist and what you stand for though, like you have, you have values and you are expressing those values and living those values through this project and through your music. And I think that this is such an important piece of the equation is really, really knowing who you are as a person and as an artist.'cause it's not just about like, let me make some beats and throw them out there. And that's what a lot of people are doing. But like, well, like, who the fuck are you? Why am I gonna wanna follow you? Right. If I don't know what you're all about, what your message is, what you stand for, then I don't know if we're actually in alignment, right? But when you show up and you start talking about those, those types of things, whether that's through your music or just through your content, then I'm like, oh shit. Yeah. Like I, I get that. I resonate with that. That's in alignment. Yeah. It's relatable with me as well. So I think that's, uh, yeah, it's really powerful.

Track 1: 50:09

I think, you know, look, we're in an industry where you're constantly have your hand out, buy my merch, buy my tickets, buy drinks, take PTO to come see me. Right? So what are we giving back to people besides the song? It has to go deeper than just the music. You know what I mean? Because if you expect someone to look, we have all, like you and I, we love, I know we're, we're metal fans, we're band fans. Like, what makes you wanna go to travel to go to a concert and support these bands and list them day to day? It's because there's some sort of message that you connect with or you connect with them as human beings. and that's what I think cannot be lost in this scene. You know, we really have to make sure that we're, we're seeing our fans as not just like statistics or numbers or followers or likes. They're, they're human

Nik: 50:49

Yeah.

Track 1: 50:50

and same.

Nik: 50:51

And I imagine that's so much more fulfilling as well for you too, to hear those stories. Right, to know like, oh, this isn't just, uh, we're not, we're not just shaking asses on dance floors, but like, this is carrying a, which is great, which is rad. That's a, that's where we start. But like, to be able to give more than that and hear some of those stories. I mean, like for me, I just looked at my clients just as people that paid me to work with them, it just as clients, then it's like, I wouldn't fucking do this. You know? But I, I have probably 130 people that I've worked with, one-on-one now that it's like, those are my brothers. Those are my sisters. They're my fucking family. Like, I'm on, even though maybe we worked together for three months, I'm in your corner for the rest of your fucking life. And I still get text messages from people years later being like, yo, dude, I just, this just happened in my life. I wanted to update you. I love you so much. It's just so rewarding. Like, that's why I do it, you know? And I hope that every artist out there also gets to experience that with their fans too. It can be so much, it can be so much more if you put yourself out there in that way.

Track 1: 51:48

Well, like I was saying earlier, you're now part of the thread of their history as human beings and as artists, right? You've now woven yourself into their story, which is so beautiful and exciting, you know? And I think the other thing is too, is when you create a fan base that's there. Again, for the right reasons. Like look, I, I went from being obviously very broken hearted to, I'm in a very amazing, incredible relationship. But if I did not establish my fan base ahead of time, if I started writing love songs, I think that they would've been very turned off because it wasn't what they originally signed up for. And I think that's the pit a lot of artists fall into is they get famous for one thing, or they get big or known for one thing, and then they try to pivot. Like let's say they write a breakout deep house song, but then they wanna make their own bass. All of a sudden the fans are going, whoa, whoa, whoa. We're here for deep house. Why are you making drum bass? But if you go into things and going, okay, the music is only one piece of the pie. When you decide to grow and be an experimental or change or pivot, your fans are more likely to go along with you They're now invested in you as a person, not just you as the artist, you know. So for me, very recently, I started writing a lot more like hearted music and being very candid on social media like. I'm happy here he is. He's great. Now, fans are excited because it, it went from, she's just like us. She was in a toxic situation or was broken up with to sick. Okay, cool. This could happen for me too. Right. You now become the inspiration versus the relatable. And I think that's what's also really, really important as well, is, is locking that in. Because look, my fans are very different than they were in 2018, that they are in 2024. and I'm very different than I was in 2018 to 2024. So we are all growing and changing the, the world is changing, so what people prioritize a couple years ago isn't what they're prioritizing now. And I'm sure you see that in your line of work as well.

Nik: 53:37

Yeah, that's, uh, That really says everything where someone, if someone is really going to be a part of your journey and be there along the way as you evolve as a person and as an artist. Right. And yeah, sometimes, you know, we're gonna listen to artists where it's like, cool, that's a dope track. I like that track. I'll, I'll put it on my playlist and I'll listen to it. But am I, am I actually on their journey? Are they giving me a reason to be on their journey? Are they giving me a reason other than like a cool track every couple months, uh, to actually really, really follow them and grow with them? So it's, it's so cool that you've been able to, to build that for yourself.

Track 1: 54:13

yeah, I wouldn't be where I am without, without the Heartbreakers and without the fans because they really, they show up, they pull up, they support, they allow me to do this, you know what I mean? So, thank you guys.

Nik: 54:23

yeah. Shout out Heartbreakers.

Track 1: 54:25

out Wednesdays Heartbreakers because Yeah, it is. And also too, to see the community grow and, and support it's so fun for me to see in the comments like, Hey, I'm pulling up to the show by myself. My friends bailed. And people being like, meet us here to pregame, walk in with us. Let's compare outfits. It's just so cool. It's so rad.'cause that's what music's about, you know?

Nik: 54:43

if every one of your Heartbreakers was listening right now and you could give them a message, what would that message be?

Track 1: 54:53

Oh my gosh. thank you allowing for, allowing me to be vulnerable and for taking my heart and, and protecting it as if it was your own. Because I, you know, when you're, when you're writing about topics of, you know, sadness or breakups or abuse or what, whatever it is, you're really putting yourself out there I. I. just want to say thank you because yeah, you guys took my little heart and you protected it, and you stood by me and you've, you've put me, you've helped me grow, and so you've made me feel safe. And as an artist, that's all you can ask for is feeling safe because it is very difficult to create when you, when you're not, when you're in a volatile situation. And so the safety and security that you guys have provided for me is, is, is something that, like I said, if it all ended tomorrow, thank you.

Nik: 55:42

It's beautiful. Well, I am,

Track 1: 55:44

thank,

Nik: 55:45

I'm so, I'm so happy for you. I'm so happy that you've been able to

Track 1: 55:50

smiling. You

Nik: 55:53

No, I'm really, I'm really happy that you've been able to, to not only. Create this career for yourself and, you know, get the shows and the bookings and be able to do this professionally, that's amazing. But to really see and hear about the impact that you're having and the fan base that you're built building and the kind of connection that you have with them, and the kind of passion that you have for that community, I think is really, really, really, really special. And, um, it's really cool to see. I'm really proud of you. I'm, I'm very blessed to have, you know, be able to like, witness your growth from the sidelines. And, uh, I'm just so, I'm so pumped for everything that you've created and I'm so pumped for everything that is yet to come.

Track 1: 56:31

Uh, me too, me too. And, and, and vice versa. Thank you so much. Like your, your class at ICON really, really helped solidify a lot of these things and show me what it was important and what's not and what to focus on. And again, I think that all goes into the, the process and the journey. And, and I think the biggest takeaway from your class with Arti Flow was like doing things for the right reasons. Like, yes, making a ton of money and yes, being famous is, is cool and all that, but the end of the day what I wanted was to, music helped me get through situations and so I wanted to. To help give back to music in like a kind of woo woo sense. And so the fact now that I can do what I set out to do, which is inspire people and empower people through my art as I was, that's just the coolest thing. That's why we do it. You

Nik: 57:15

Hell yeah.

Track 1: 57:15

is just an added bonus.

Nik: 57:17

Yeah. And I think you are, you are doing it incredibly well. So, uh, you. you definitely get to take a moment to pat yourself on the back to celebrate yourself as an artist or the journey that you've been on. And, uh, thank you so much for taking the time to hop on with us today. I am so pumped that we could do this.

Track 1: 57:33

Me too. Me too. Thank you so much for letting, letting me ramble. And, uh, one pat on the back and then back to the studio. Back to the studio we go.

Nik: 57:41

that's what's up.