We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Formerly “CAM”. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Formerly below.

Alright, Formerly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

(Laughs) Risks are apart of my every day [life] for sure, I was born and raised in Minneapolis, to and from the North and Southside so risk was always prevalent. If we’re speaking more towards creation and music, risks are absolutely vital! I don’t even know if I would have my core audience if I wasn’t willing to mix the influences that shape me and be honest about myself and my life you know? It’s always a huge risk when I hit record because music is therapeutic and cathartic for me. I won’t feel good about an album or some insane quality video if it’s not being myself and not being honest about where it came from, so any time I show that history, or that sort of pathway to now it’s always some kind of a risk. If I had to highlight, though, it would have to be ‘The Horn Effect’ (2020) that whole album cycle was such a statement, and the process was so different from my experiences as a musician up to that point. It was my first studio album, so I didn’t have as much control over engineering or the recording schedule, it was the first LP to come out of our camp, so we wanted it to stand out but represent Flowermuothe as much as possible. I feel like we all walked away from that with a lot of insight and some valuable momentum that shot us on the run we did that year.

Thanks again for collaborating with us over these past few conversations. Before moving forward, can you take a moment to let new readers know who you are and the impact you’ve made recently in the industry?

Man, I don’t even feel like we’re apart of the industry. We’ve had some incredible opportunities come up and I definitely try to step my internet game up (Laughs) reaching out, networking, but it feels so different from when people would guide you and show what you needed because they could see how green you were. I feel like we’re in a totally different world, [now] personally. I remember when everyone was showing me where to get shirts, or how to order physicals [CDs], good prices to sell an EP for, all that. Minneapolis has such a vibrant [Music] scene, from my first show I’ve always had countless artists to get to know, music to take in and history that encompassed a room when someone’s day one would show up to the show, and they’ve put on people in the community for years. Like, there’s people still breaking through the local scene that are revered as legends just from the ground work alone, and in that same idea artists who’ve branched out of state who don’t see the same pull at home they can easily scoop up anywhere else. It’s really an honor to be an artist in this time, especially really being from the Southside and seeing how much attention has landed on Minnesota in the past 5 years, even though it’s not for the best reasons because we have so many great representatives and an unreal amount of undiscovered talent that can really speak on the things being broadcasted in such thin windows and moments in time. Hopefully I can keep contributing. (Laughs)

Do you rely more research, books and other media for inspiration and connections? Or is it based more on the people around you and their impact?

It really feel like everyone we work with is helping build our Rolodex, wether genuine contacts, strategies or really influencing us on a deeper level and changing how we think about our role and approach to business. I feel super lucky to have the support system I’ve had since I was at least 14 in this s***, I used to think you just made records, pressed them and found some way to get it the local section at Cheapo. I wouldn’t have merch, [Merchandise] wouldn’t know how to utilize social media or make a landing page. There are so many people that live through Flowermouthe in the aesthetics, and function as a whole, how to respect a venue and provide unforgettable experinces to the crowd, staff and all in between, The people who we’ve shown up for and the people who show up for us are definitely the main impact to our brand and our ability to survive in our scene. We’re all the factor if something sinks or swims so I’m trying to be influenced by everything, of course my friends are going to have a huge impact on me but I’m learning just as much from failure, new blood coming into the mix and people who aren’t immersed in the nuts and bolts of its all, It’s exciting to think this is really only the beginning of making a long lasting impact, that’s why we’re so grateful for you guys giving us the platform the way you have, you know?

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Just going back to those same people. Everyone has a web that connects to so many interesting places, and if I can ignite something in my own community that spreads to who they know that’s a great place to start meeting new people through. It’s just rewarding feeling being apart of something bigger than yourself in the first place, so connecting with my peers to create opportunities through who they know, and having it all come back to benefit everyone for their own reason is as convenient as I can imagine. The people I connect with elevate my voice to a different level, and those who don’t relate help amplify the conversation so everyone is playing their part in overall growth, honestly. “I’m not in the music business, I’m in the human business” if you know, you know (Laughs)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fanlink.tv/formerly
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/formerlycam
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/formerlycam
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/formerlycam
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/formerlycam
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/formerlycam
• Other: https://linker.ee/flowermouthe

Image Credits

@billytricks