We were lucky to catch up with Ali Valentine recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ali , appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Overall as an artist, I am happy and fortunate to do what I love. Like most things in life, there are ups and downs and you have to stay up on top. There are many struggles and barriers you need to push pass through, but then cause you to grow. Not only as an artist, but as an entrepreneur, you need multiple sources of income. Though I do music full time, I also have a regular job that helps support my music. At times you may find your hands full, but that is where time management comes into play. Time management is an ongoing process but when practiced daily, you might just get the hang of it. When you manage your time properly, you’ll be able to have more flexibility to do what you want.
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 my creative journey early on at the age of 3. With the support of my parents, I was able to get the help and resources needed to turn my hobby into a craft. It doesn’t matter the age, doing something ad nauseam could be challenging. Especially when you are young. That is why it helps to be creative and to figure out ways to make your experience interesting. You might hear the word “balance” a lot but to some degree, there is little to no balance when it comes to reaching your goals. You need to be obsessed with what you love in order to see results. Some reach stardom at an early age which, if you compare yourself, can make you feel hopeless. Just focus on yourself and not others. I work hard to do everything I need to do without a manager, booker, or record label. I have performed and headlined at over hundreds of venues, and have had my music played in over sixteen countries and 50 cities, with 300,000+ streams on Spotify alone. Recently, our song Planes, Trains & Automobiles has been featured on The SoCal Sound (KCSN 88.5 FM)
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I wish I knew a little more about health and fitness when I started my journey. Being in a rock band comes with a certain lifestyle and that lifestyle is not for everyone. Figure out which path works for you and experiment! If one path doesn’t work, try another one until you figure our the right one for you.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having your phone blow up and having your schedule full throughout the year. Though my phone and emails aren’t blowing up every single day, it feels good to perform constantly and to do what I love on a weekly basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: illunismusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illunismusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illunismusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/illunismusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqC5-WUPHQMm-5SC9zSpCqg
- Other: https://www.illunismusicbooking.com/
Image Credits
Aaron Anderson (IG: AaronAndersonVisuals) Evan Morton (IG: EvanProPhoto)