Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Terry Mchailen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Terry, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I’ve been making a living as a full-time musician for about 15 years, and it’s definitely been a journey. I work in a cover band. Sometimes I wonder if it still counts as creative work since I’m playing other people’s songs, but I think it does in its own way.

I began my music career in Russia, playing clubs, parties, and all kinds of events, and my band was doing pretty well. We had a great manager, and our shows kept getting better. But life’s unpredictable, and I ended up moving to the U.S. and had to start from scratch. I did some session work for different artists, but it wasn’t really my thing. So, I teamed up with a couple of other musicians, and we started a cover band called The Brobots. We’ve been playing together for a decade now.

Being a full-time musician in LA is no easy task, and making it as an artist takes a lot of time and effort. But if you stay consistent, stay professional, and have clear goals along with a solid plan and marketing strategy, it’s possible to make it work. Looking back, I wish I had focused on the business side of things earlier because, at the end of the day, it’s not just about being creative – it’s also about understanding how to make a living from it.

When I started my original project called Melted Mirrors, that’s when I really grasped how crucial marketing and strategy are. If I had approached things with that mindset sooner, I probably would’ve reached my goals a lot faster. But I’m optimistic about what’s ahead, and I’m looking forward to transitioning into making a living from my original music full-time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started playing music when I was 7, and it’s been my life ever since. I always knew what I wanted to do, so I just played guitar. All the time. Every day. Sometimes for 12 hours straight, forgetting to eat or sleep. I’d skip school and take my guitar with me everywhere. Eventually, I went to music college and studied classical music. It was helpful in some ways – I got to perform long, complex pieces in front of big audiences at nice theaters, and even won a couple of international competitions. That gave me some confidence, but honestly, I didn’t care much about it.

What I really loved was 90s grunge, and all I wanted was to play in a rock band. So, I joined a bunch of them over the years. Now, I’ve got my own project – Melted Mirrors. It’s kind of wild to look back and realize it took me 30 years to finally do my own thing, especially since I’ve been writing music for what feels like forever. Music has always been my best friend and helped me through some tough times, and my hope is that I can create something that does the same for someone else. I try to stay as honest and real as possible, and I really hope people feel that in the music.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think a lot of people who aren’t in creative fields don’t realize that many artists see the world through a completely different lens. That’s why we can come across as a bit weird or out of touch. But honestly, that’s part of the process when you’re trying to create something new. You have to spend so much time in your own inner world, and sometimes it’s hard to snap back into reality. That’s why some artists struggle to fit in – it’s just the nature of living in that creative headspace most of the time.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think society could benefit from learning how to appreciate art more and develop a better sense of taste, so people can tell the difference between something mediocre and something truly special. Maybe spend less time getting lost in the endless stream of pointless content. I know it sounds a bit unrealistic, and it’s probably always been this way, but I still think it would help – even if just a few people made the effort.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/meltedmirrors
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themeltedmirrors/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meltedmirrors/
• Twitter: https://x.com/meltedmirrors
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeltedMirrors
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/ZQTvNCB2XZY5Py5H9

Image Credits

Kate Anise