Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Talbot.
Hi Bryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It is a difficult task to tell one’s story as there are many facets to one’s life. In previous interviews, I have solely focused on my martial arts and martial arts business. It is true I am a martial artist and some refer to me as “Sifu,” but there is more. I am a father and I am a teacher. I am an artist and I am a musician. I am human, flawed and seeking the unattainable. On life’s journey, I have improved my skills in all. I have suffered setbacks. I have known success and I have failed many, many times. Above all, I have retained myself one foot in front of the next, holding on to the middle path seeking balance. I believe it is important to acknowledge the whole of your experience and being. What comes is what comes and it’s for you and you alone. Remember, no matter what you do, what goals you set, whether you succeed or fail, there you are and there you will be.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth road? That is an illusion. Life is full of bumps and blockades and seemingly serene moments. How do we get through it? Relax. Endure. Act and enjoy. We have a choice, albeit difficult to realize in the moment. We know not yet if it is bad or good. Let it happen. Experience will unfold its wisdom unfettered for us all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work. I am primarily a Martial Arts teacher and a Musician. I have taught Ip Man Wing Chun for over 30 years. I co-owned and co-created West Coast Wing Chun, a traditional Kung Fu organization with schools and students throughout the US. I am most proud of my students who have continued to carry the legacy of my teachers and myself. I feel incredibly lucky to have been a successful full-time martial arts teacher for such a long time. It has truly been an amazing journey.
As a musician, I have the same love and discipline for music that I have for Wing Chun Kung Fu. My main instruments are the electric bass guitar and piano. I love songwriting, recording and mixing almost as much as performing. I find the creative process of writing and recording extremely fulfilling. The hours melt away as I lose myself in the process. I have had my own original rock band and performed in many bands with extremely talented and well-known artists. One of the projects I am most proud of was a band known as ” Asphalt Messiah”, a rock/hip-hop band with an amazing line-up of musicians consisting of Grammy-nominated producer Bruce “Automatic” Vanderveer (lead vocals), Bryan Talbot (bass), Kacy jones (guitar), Cisco Hughes (drums). The connection between the band members and myself was a once in a lifetime experience that can be heard on our recordings. Asphalt Messiah spawned some of my best writing and performing as a bassist. You can hear it on the epic song “No Way” a song about hardship and perseverance dedicated to the late son of guitarist Kacy Jones. This song appears on our EP ” 1865″. Definitely a listen not to be missed.
My latest music project is called “LT!”. It’s a pop/rock songwriting & recording project. “LT!” was the result of a reconnection with veteran Seattle rock singer/guitarist Johnny Low during the pandemic. Johnny and I played together for many years as young musicians. As we became reacquainted, we pondered the idea of co-writing and recording again. The result was our first single “Hey OK” this super catchy, well-crafted song speaks to the listener through the throngs of frustration and hope during a failing relationship. It’s a really well-produced radio-friendly mix of pop-rock, R&B and a splash of an 80’s vibe. The initial listener and peer reviews have been super positive! I’m really proud of this music. We’ve had so much fun writing and recording that a full album is on the way! This is going to be a really strong record. I can’t wait to have people hear it!!
Lastly, I would like to speak about my solo work created for the DVD titled ” Closed Door Wing Chun-Siu Lim Tao”. In this co-produced project, I was able to combine my martial arts, music and visual arts. I was involved in almost every aspect of this project by appearing, instructing, narrating, designing, editing, writing and recording all the music for the DVD. The entire DVD was shot against the majestic backdrop of Sedona, Arizona. This was a unique opportunity in which I was able to blend all the elements of art I had been developing throughout my life. I was inspired to use multiple genres of music combining traditional Asian, Native American and Celtic instruments together with electronic, rock and jazz styles. This was an incredible amount of hard work and a thoroughly fulfilling experience. I feel that the end result was extremely successful. If you are interested in learning about the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu, this is a great place to start!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Be who you are. Don’t let others define you. Stick to who you are and what you love. The rest will work itself out.
Contact Info:
- Website: westcoastwingchun.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/westcoastwingchun
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LTROCKSMUSIC
- Twitter: @ipmankungfu
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMqHlZhKzdM
- Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lt24/hey-ok
Image Credits
Kimmy Squiers Shawn Kawa
