Conversations with Carys Vanessa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carys Vanessa

Hi Carys, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I came out to Los Angeles in 2015 to pursue music and art. Along the way I found yoga and fire dancing as other conduits of expression that were just as deeply fulfilling. Although I am not teaching yoga right now, it’s a practice I return to often to come back to myself.

My journey with making music has evolved many times, but it always remains my North Star. I know that as long as I follow the music, I will always be right where I need to be.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The main issue is finding a space where I can work for hours without bothering anyone. Apartment living can be challenging for any musician and especially producers. Not everyone is keen on hearing a songwriter hash out the same melody for hours! Thankfully there are ways to around this, but it can certainly be a pain.

Time management can also be tricky, especially since it is increasingly more difficult to earn substantial income as an independent artist in this era of the industry. Sometimes that means taking time away from creating and writing to work a job that will take care of my expenses, but it keeps my dedication steadfast.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Im a musician first and an entrepreneur second. Every stream of income Ive created from social media managing to fire dancing to yoga teaching or working craft services on movie sets has been to support this deep soul-led desire to make music and art.

I write electronic music that can sound heavy but ethereal. I love combining soft melodies and vocals with heavier bass lines and drums. There’s this way that emotion can really come through in songs that have more of a sonic atmosphere to get lost inside of. And I love creating worlds with music; I think thats the whole point.

Also now I am completing a poetry book Ive been working on for about three years! And it will have a music accompaniment, so stay tuned for that.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think it’s important to have a community where you can find people with common ground that you can exchange ideas with and learn from. If there’s a coach or a guide or a therapist that speaks to you and that inspires you to keep becoming the best you can be, then there’s tremendous value in that.

In the past I have sought out many spiritual mentors and guides for my personal development as much as I have relied on my built-in support system of friends and family and colleagues to navigate the industry and life in general. I think it’s a blessing and a privilege to already have people around you that you can trust, but it’s also something you can seek out and create for yourself.

It’s imperative that you know yourself well enough to be able to steer your own ship in an authentic way, but it would be foolish to head out to deep sea alone. Always keep people by your side that you can trust and do the work to be a trustworthy person and friend yourself. That will help you go very far with other people. Don’t be all about the taking. Make sure you are also giving to others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/_carysvanessa_
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/dXn9KKoxjvvqyJwe6
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fsJo8nxzMHZZqnFRAWBOY?si=pdEpFEt_QPiRX1kK1CU-Ug

Image Credits
Stevie Sharps, Ben Teters, Vita Sullivan