We were lucky to catch up with Scrapegoat recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Scrapegoat, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Interesting questions. “Am I happy as an artist?” Yes. I work hard at my music. I have put my full heart and soul into being the musician I am today, and still learning. Am I rich or famous? No. But I didn’t really ever have a choice. God gave me this passion for music, so I diligently pursue it. But that brings up the following question, “Do I ever sometime wonder what it would be like to have a regular job?”. Well, actually I do. Unfortunately, most musicians have to these days. But I have done 2 things my whole life. I have been a musician and a craftsman. Started both at the same age of 14.
I am very proud of my work as a craftsman. I don’t really have enough room here for the number of different trades I have had the pleasure to explore as a craftsman, but it is extensive.
I have put in 40+ hour weeks and then went and played weekend show. Or used vacation time during the week to go play. My wife and I have a running joke about passing each other at the door. Funny…but not funny.
Balancing a job while in a pursuit of passion is a tough gig. Only recently have I been able to say I make enough money playing music that I can step away from fabrication and craftsman work to only play music. It’s sketchy, But I am independent. I work for me. It took a long time and a lot of hard work to get here. But here I am. I am happy and proud of what I have accomplished with the gifts and skills God has given me. I hope He is too.
I do miss building things though. So, I do still take on fabrication jobs occasionally to satisfy the itch. And a few extra dollars never hurts.

Scrapegoat, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Why do I have two trades? I blame my father. Derk Hansen. He is an international western wildlife artist. Mostly oils paintings but his pencil/charcoal work is stunning. He has done sculpture, woodworking. He has taught painting classes. He has done studies all over the world. Even underwater painting in Hawaii. But, he is also a well-known and accomplished musician. Derk did not want me to be a musician. Lifestyle issues & such. I think he knew I had a lot of his blood in me. I will not share my father’s stories about his musician stuff. He can spin a good yarn and I will let him share them with you someday if you’re lucky. Point is, a musician’s life can get crazy pretty easily. It’s a tough road to be successful as an artist. Mind you, he is a painter and a musician. He wanted me to have a more stable career. So, at age 14, he started teaching me to be a picture framer, and I started playing his guitar.
Eventually, facing the inevitable, he and my mother bought me my own first guitar. An acoustic/electric Ovation. I knew then that even though he didn’t want that life for me, he would not try to stop me. But I still had to do my picture framing! I’m a kick ass picture framer. Don’t kid yourself.
Fathers and sons often have a way of getting in each other’s way. So, for a number of years, my father and I were at odds. But what I learned from him as a craftsman/picture framer and how to run a business, I took with me and took pride in it. I took the music too.
The music is who I am. It defines me to myself. If that makes any sense. It has given me purpose. Something creative inside me that never stops growing, expanding, like a fire. So, it just needs to keep coming out or I will burn.
Being a craftsman give me center. Music is precise and intellectual, but also emotionally connective. When I am building or crafting in whatever fashion, there is a peace and calmness, away from intense emotions. I just focus on the technical aspects of skilled trade knowledge. Being as good as I can be at something else. It re-centers me.
Yep. My body hurts. I feel old. But I sing and play with passion. With conviction. With purpose. Still driven. Strong. Because I paid a ton of dues, I have worked hard, with passion and purpose.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding thing about creativity, for me, is the final product. From conception to realization. The journey. I thought of this. I saw this in a block of wood. I want to build a Rat Rod! I felt this chord progression. I thought of these lyrics. Today we are going to build a ?!!
To take a thought and create the final product. How to get from here to there. How to make it happen. The technicalities. The trials and failures. The learning processes. Growing in your skills.
Then to actually hear, see, feel,,,,, touch, that which was once only a dream, or a thought, now a reality.
But as my father always told me, “Anyone can make something. Now you gotta sell it. If you can’t do that, you just got a hobby.”
God is a creator. A master craftsman. A lover of music. I am also these things. Humble and grateful for my skills and talents. Able to conceive an idea and create it. How much more reward than that could I need.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Put down your phone. Turn off your screen. Say hello to your neighbour. Spend time with your family and friends doing things. Go see live music. Go to a local art gallery. Go a trade show. Farmers markets offer a huge number of different local talents of all kinds. Food, skilled trades, music. Life is a hands-on experience. Go get your hands dirty or you are selling your time here on earth short. Take what has inspired you and go create something new of your own. Teach anyone who wants to learn. Lift up the next generation to be bold, skilled, humble and giving.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.scrapegoatproductions.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scrapegoatmusic
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@scrapegoatmusic