We recently connected with Danny Staton and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I usually look for projects that align with my values and allow me to make a positive impact on others. If I can see the direct benefits of my work, it’s definitely a project worth investing my time and energy into.

Some of the most meaningful projects involve the community. Over the years I have volunteered to paint murals at local schools & community centers for day of services along with work for many non-profits. It is so rewarding to see the positive impact art & creative spaces can have within a neighborhood & community as a positive foundation.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Danny Staton is an audio and visual artist currently working and living in Perry Lake area of Kansas. Under the pseudonym Dan Matic, Staton blends futuristic and electronic sounds with traditional funk, soul, and jazz to create a unique auditory experience with a nod to classic hip-hop styles. His sound work is accompanied by mixed media visuals that depict bold colors, geometric patterns, and Afrocentric themes. Through this combination, he is working to create a multi-sensory memoir, conveying his own experiences as a young, Black artist in the Midwest. Staton received a degree in media, art, and design from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. While in college, he started working for a local non-profit specializing in urban arts & music. After working with the organization for a few years upon graduating & with newfound contacts, he began showing his work in group shows & galleries. From the galleries, he was able to scale up & transition to doing murals. He has been featured at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Fine Arts, where he performed a live audio set. Currently he is publishing music & creating video shorts. When not creating, he works in network & printer security for a company based out of Japan.

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

Well, I think one thing is to really value and support the arts in schools and communities. That way, artists can get the training and exposure they need to succeed. Plus, having more funding and resources available for artists would make a huge difference in helping them thrive. That along with creating more opportunities for artists to showcase their work, collaborate with other creatives, and receive fair compensation for their work & contributions is key.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect is being able to bring my ideas to life and share them with others. The idea of creating something from scratch and seeing it comes to life. It allows expression giving one’s unique perspective to others. Also, the completion of a project is truly gratifying, which allows for the process of creation to end & the sharing process to begin.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danmaticbeats.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danmaticbeatsnraps/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-staton-b2117a9b
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQgOEWih-IYT63CvBJqYanw
• Other: https://github.com/dannystaton1

Image Credits
All photos taken by Katelyn Roby.