We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chad Atkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chad, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My sophomore record, “A Momentary Ray of Joy” came from a long musical drought after my first project, coupled with a fair amount of depression and inner turmoil. Years would pass and I would find that I was getting in the way of my own happiness. It took sobriety and putting in the work and self-care to push me in the right direction and finish the record. My hope is that it might be a reminder to others that we’re all stronger than we give ourselves credit for, and that the sun always shines even when things feel overcast.

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 fumbling around with my childhood Casio keyboard around the age of six, but I didn’t want to do music right away – I actually wanted to draw and make comic books and cartoons! I really delved into music production around the 8th grade, and took that all the way to college where I received my associate’s degree in audio production and engineering!

With 15 years of industry experience, and works that have been featured on television shows like “Jersey Shore,” “Top Chef,” and “A Murder At The End Of The World”, I feel I am at my most successful when the work that I make inspires others. Everyone’s lives are so wildly complicated and different, yet there is so much that connects us. If the stories I share through my songs are able to resonate with at least one person, then I know I’ll have done my job as an artist.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think that there are many different levels of gratification in the world of creative work, whether it’s financial, humanitarian, etc. I’m personally fond of the dividends I receive in the realm of nostalgia. I’m constantly going back and listening to the poorly recorded covers I used to do with a mic and a laptop, and then immediately listening to my latest fresh, mastered project. It’s always a nice reminder to remember where I come from, and to be grateful of the knowledge and life lessons that have allowed me to be capable of what I am today!

Have you ever had to pivot?

My biggest pivot was leaving my hometown in Nebraska and moving up to Minnesota to pursue my audio degree. I didn’t really know anyone moving up there, and it was one of the larger leaps of faith I’ve made in my life, but it opened so many doors and allowed me to grow in ways I didn’t know I needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chadatkinsmusic.com/
• Instagram: @chadatkins
• Linkedin: @chadatkins
• Youtube: @chadatkinsmusic
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/chad-atkins
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/4Q0QZ6k5VAo3LkVaM6nl9X?si=yYrENifXS_GTAJ8vOuhZbg