What is your creative mission?
Fragile Lung makes music about everyday mundane things in an attempt to make them vibrate. Little moments are what make up most of our lives so we might as well find the meaning in them and celebrate those little sparks.
What do you love about what you do?
I love working with other talented musicians. I’ll come in with an outline of a song and Colleen, Ben and Dora just make it so much better. Sometimes that is the most challenging part of what we do, but it’s worth it. The vision, the world we can make together, is so much richer through our collaboration.
What have you learned from your successes/ failures?
I’ve learned that it’s important to keep taking tiny steps forward and ask for help when you need it. There will always be moments when you feel really discouraged. Just keep making work. Keep making your work better. Keep putting it out there. Be persistent and willing to take risks.
How do you keep pushing ahead after a difficult challenge?
The business side of things is the only aspect that really gets me down, and it just isn’t ever going to be the most important thing to me. I have always made music regardless of recognition or “success” in the most common sense of the word. Even on days when the writing isn’t working or I’m faced with a lot of rejection (or worse, apathy), it still feeds me. I just have to remember that there isn’t anything else I’d rather be doing, and that is enough to keep going.
Have you ever encountered resistance from family, friends or the world in general? How did you overcome those kinds of blocks?
Luckily my family and friends have always been very supportive of me. Honestly the biggest obstacle has always been my own fear and insecurity. I’m trying to rely less on outside affirmation and just do what I love.
How has your art and creativity healed you?
Music is my best language. I haven’t found any other way to communicate as deeply and say what I really need to say. Writing lyrics is especially cathartic — getting to shroud the most intimate parts of myself in metaphor and melody is very interesting for me and just a little sneaky. It feels like sharing your secrets but in another language so no one quite knows what you are talking about… but they can still project their own feelings and interpretations. After I write a song I feel so relieved, like a weight has been taken off of me.
What are your NFA Bullet points? What steps would you recommend for anyone who wants to kick some ass and get their creative dreams off the ground?
Focus on your work and strive for improvement! The rest will (hopefully) follow.
Know the difference between what you can do yourself and what you need to spend money on.
Ask your talented friends to help you!
It’s ok for things to take time. Make sure you’re proud of what you’re putting out and do it right. Not everything has to happen overnight.
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Find Riley and Fragile Lung
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