Are You an Artist? with Grace Kelly

Alex Joy is not an artist, he’s a metalsmith

In episode 7 of “Are You an Artist?” Alex tells us all about his path to becoming a metalsmith. A natural storyteller, he describes his reasons for creating, his connection with metals, and even his relationship with dreams and music, all in a way that is profoundly elegant in its practicality. The straightforward simplicity of his stories adds a depth that speaks for itself. You can find Alex on Instagram @gankyhackooo This episode is also available on YouTube

Reclaiming Authentic Use of the Internet, with Messenger of Creation, Elyza Soto Reguero, Buglvr3000

In episode 6 of “Are You an Artist?” I have an esoteric conversation with Elyza Reguero, aka Buglvr300, about her intimate and inherent relationship with art and music. We talk about the inspiration she draws from dreams and visions, her philosophies and proaction on internet authenticity, and the way she creates as a necessary method to understand the symbolic places she goes in her mind. “The heightened emotion [that inspires creation] is feeding something larger that exists within me already, and [by] creating, I’m kind of communicating to that, and trying to put it into something tangible.” Are you an artist who wants to have their own website? And by that I mean, your very OWN, uncensored and by your own design, and not at the mercy of paid features, limited block editing, or algorithmic marketing? Elyza has the answer! She has put her blood sweat and tears into developing a condensed and intuitive 14 page document that covers the necessary basics of html and css coding required to create your very own website. Check it the fuck out!!!! [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k99YTlHQVW6ykFCoktMYXZtWMlTcrtBCiyVWlp8vwGM/edit?usp=drivesdk] Check out Elyza’s website [https://buglvr3000.com/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLCYnVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp4Ff0QPkeBxOEGirFPvsZ5rY8Jjt4YQEKzCV7-Tx3eZtH0lNqdm7T8pBaA9G_aem_5h7nhxzMMAHb26SRUnUG_A] You can also find Elyza on Instagram @geniusfucker [https://www.instagram.com/geniusfucker?igsh=MXR6ZjY2MHYybzR3bw==] and @buglvr3000 [https://www.instagram.com/buglvr3000?igsh=MWFvZXJ6c2xueWJ4bQ==] You can find Buglvr3000 on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0aj2AtCBiGjzbQU3CXPstZ?si=zmX1DFPPTtC31Qm9jlHiWg] and Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/buglvr3000/1675957994] This episode is also available on YouTube

“You just need to make connections and go out and do stuff” with Jupiter

In episode 5 of “Are You an Artist?” I get a chance to sit down with the incredibly well-spoken and talented Jupiter. Throughout our conversation we discuss a litany of topics surrounding artistry, including but not limited to; -The journey of making a name for yourself when starting from absolute zero, why it can be a struggle to even see that as a possibility, and how eye-opening it can be to get involved in your local art and music scenes -How garageband really is a viable choice for making music, what it can teach you about making music, and what it’s like to move into more complex DAWs -What it really means to be “cool” as a skill, as a genuine expression of self, and how a core trait of truly being cool is that you make those around you feel cool too -Jupiter’s path with self expression, how it’s not about how you Want to be seen but more so about just indulging in what inspires you and brings you joy -Jupiter’s path and perspective with schooling, the pros and cons of college and traditional lessons with how it can be both oppressive and expansive when it comes to understanding what options are out there for you, -Jupiter’s advice on how to navigate making education work for you -the importance of networking, and simply talking to people about what they do “You just need to make connections and go out and do stuff” Jupiter is on Instagram @Jupi.fm https://www.instagram.com/jupi.fm?igsh=eHQ3MnhmMDJwcTds [https://www.instagram.com/jupi.fm?igsh=eHQ3MnhmMDJwcTds] You can find ChainMale on Instagram @ChainMale_band https://www.instagram.com/chainmale_band?igsh=MW9qbWFpY3pjMHFhNw== [https://www.instagram.com/chainmale_band?igsh=MW9qbWFpY3pjMHFhNw==] and SoundCloud https://m.soundcloud.com/chainmale-487213213?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKW7BJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp1UhewWAiC5s5tV5WHFQCoDQDWZXoug6WK0U2Uz5_gz5PX_z3SJaCB-w2y6r_aem_2l6B_rI26sOat_33lqsosg [https://m.soundcloud.com/chainmale-487213213?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKW7BJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp1UhewWAiC5s5tV5WHFQCoDQDWZXoug6WK0U2Uz5_gz5PX_z3SJaCB-w2y6r_aem_2l6B_rI26sOat_33lqsosg] ***AmberTones is now GlamourDeath*** You can find GlamourDeath on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glamourdeath?igsh=MWh3ZXlxdDkyc3ZnZQ== [https://www.instagram.com/glamourdeath?igsh=MWh3ZXlxdDkyc3ZnZQ==] and SoundCloud https://m.soundcloud.com/glamourdeath?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKW66NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpysNgomNhvSW4-vlA8ZcEAeQ6OZOj4a_ye2O5VOLIOxMmrVbNl2SuruEz1eB_aem_41_Iba4V9JlrZx5XzPQViw [https://m.soundcloud.com/glamourdeath?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKW66NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpysNgomNhvSW4-vlA8ZcEAeQ6OZOj4a_ye2O5VOLIOxMmrVbNl2SuruEz1eB_aem_41_Iba4V9JlrZx5XzPQViw] ***special release May 22!!*** This episode is also available on YouTube https://youtu.be/xUlHKbABqtw?si=EwyVAXAyftQ1ylrK [https://youtu.be/xUlHKbABqtw?si=EwyVAXAyftQ1ylrK]

“I just want to make art and be happy” with Dani

In episode 4 of “Are You an Artist?” I talk with Dani, who considers themself an artist through-and-through, regardless of whether or not they’re creating what they want to create. Dani has a way of making everyone feel loved; the way that they share their story and perspective just exudes themes of radical peace and self-acceptance. They joyfully and genuinely share their thought process as we explore the impact of being raised surrounded by art, and how that has shaped their intentional relationship with artistic endeavors going forward. “Honestly, sometimes it’s okay to state the obvious. I’m not here to be a revolutionary, I’m just here to create what I want to create. Like I’m not trying to be different, I’m not trying to make something new. I’m just trying to use what’s already been put out there for me to use, and to create something of my own. Like I don’t need to be out here doing the next new thing. I just want to make art and be happy, that’s all I want to do.” Stay tuned for a special release from GlamourDeath coming May 22nd! You can find Dani on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/worlds_sleepiest?igsh=eTEyejlkZXV4b2gz] Dani and Jupiter’s project GlamourDeath on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/glamourdeath?igsh=MWh3ZXlxdDkyc3ZnZQ==] and SoundCloud [https://m.soundcloud.com/glamourdeath?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadatXhcXNeRHKrN5z5sj1t1xzzDO1OhCElEENX-r3DbXji6lUEmG9z5WiafcQ_aem_f1U_eJc5sMSEZ701A3F9PA] and ChainMale on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/chainmale_band?igsh=MW9qbWFpY3pjMHFhNw==%20] and SoundCloud [https://m.soundcloud.com/chainmale-487213213] This episode is also available on YouTube [https://youtu.be/4JSnn7m5YWo?si=op6brgyejGg0mmY0]

Open the Steam Valve and Scream; Celebrate your Righteous Rage with Matty Taylor

“Metal music makes me feel like the second heaviest thing in the room.” In episode 3 of “Are You an Artist?” I talk with Matty Taylor about their evolution from photographer, to writer, to metal frontman, from the Eastern UP, to Ann Arbor, to Ypsilanti. Matty summarizes their philosophy on art simply and potently; “If you’re honest with the state of things, if your art reflects the times, I feel like it’s gonna resonate with everybody else. That’s the honest truth of it, no matter where you fit at on a political or class spectrum. If you’re honest with the times, people will see that.” This is embodied in the stories that Matty shares with us about their own journey. Even in the midst of today’s turmoil, their down-to-earth way of stating how they got to where they are brings us into a precious space where pursuing your passions can occur on a level playing field. Matty’s entire presence subtly reminds us that the outlet of artistic expression is not only a human right, but a channel that everybody has access to. You can find Matty on Instagram @xqueen_of_dorknessx This episode is also available on YouTube [https://youtu.be/ez1Ljoz-_Ic?si=APTrkJQvrYOYSEDr]