We recently connected with RAD and have shared our conversation below.
Hi RAD, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’ve always known I wanted to do something in the arts. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an author when I was in elementary school, started writing lyrics in 5th grade, and just throughout my childhood, I was always into the arts. When I was little, I used to write all the time. I have a notebook filled with writings and poems. I even have a notebook of my drawings. I don’t know why I stopped, but I did. But looking back, I loved doing artsy things. I gave up on becoming an author when I found I could not write stories. But now I know poetry books exist so I could make that into a reality because I have pages and pages of poems.
I got into YouTube and video editing in high school and even became nationally certified in some Adobe applications at one point. When I have the energy, I love to edit videos and although I’ve switched to streaming on Twitch instead of making videos for YouTube, it’s always on the back of my mind to get back into it.
Music has always been the end goal. It has been there for me through everything. Bullying, abuse, first love, heartbreak, victories, failures, and so much more. Something about music is just so enticing. When you get the formula right, it’s so beautiful. I find music can speak when regular words fail you. Even just instrumental music can penetrate one’s soul and just surround them with emotion. It’s so beautiful. I’ve been through a lot and a lot of the time, music was the reason I was able to survive. When I started to struggle with mental health issues, there were these bands that somehow made me feel like I wasn’t alone. Or there was a song that made me happy even if I was filled with sorrow. I’ve always “wanted” to be a singer or an artist but it was only after I realized how powerful music is, did I really feel a calling.
Yes I dabble in many things (Youtube, streaming, poetry, dancing, music, etc), but at the root of it all, not only is it me expressing myself, it’s me trying to help others feel like they are not alone and that they have a voice. Which is what the arts have done for me.
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
So I’m RAD! RAD is my initials- but I’ve been going by them since I was 14/15 so that’s what everyone calls me. I am 21 years old as of writing this and I’m really just a bubbly, chaotic, ball of energy who loves to sing and make others laugh. I stream on Twitch (I’m always dying and failing at every game but that’s the fun!), I cut hair as a profession, and hope to use that skill to help others (I want to cut hair for homeless individuals someday because how someone feels about their appearance is very important, and everyone deserves to feel confident about how they look!). I’ve done YouTube but haven’t uploaded in a few years, but hopefully, that changes soon. And now I’m in a band and working on releasing some music real soon!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I just want to help others- as cheesy as that sounds. That’s really what I want. If I just can put a smile on someone’s face or make someone’s day or help someone during a hard time, I would feel like my mission has been accomplished. I also want to encourage others to help out. Kindness can go a very long way, so why not just smile at that random person on the street or help out at the food bank, volunteer at the animal shelter, or even just extend a hand to someone in need. We need more kindness in the world, and I want to encourage others to spread it.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Honestly, if you want to support any artist/creatives, buy or go to them directly. Music streaming services might be convenient for you, but it doesn’t help out your favorite musicians. Buy merchandise or things they make directly from them- they get more of the money you’re using. Go to an art show rather than look on the internet. I think people nowadays don’t realize that the best way to support artists of any kind is to be present and in the moment. Enjoy the concert with your own eyes rather than record the entire thing. Don’t ask for a picture, ask for a conversation. Don’t go to that retail store to buy some knock-off merchandise or a collection that the artist has done with said company, buy from them directly if you can. It really does make a tremendous difference if you take a step back and just see what is going on around you. don’t get me wrong, social media can be a very powerful tool, but so can experiences, word of mouth, physical touch, etc.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenameisradofficial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheNameIsRAD_
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/thenameisrad
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/thenameisrad