We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Loren Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Loren, thanks for 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?
Gas is not cheap. Groceries are not cheap. Rent is not cheap. California (Where I currently reside) is not cheap. EVERYONE i know has fifty-four eleven hustles, and that’s the beauty and challenge of what we do as creatives. For a while I believed there was no way I could make a living as a performer so I worked in the medical field. I decided to audition for a theme park musical. I was hired as a substitute….meaning I was guaranteed at least one day of work a month and I was an alternate should the main guys call out. I struggled with whether or not to leave my full time job with benefits, but I made the decision to leap. Hear my heart. There were, and (are still) scary moments, and even scary seasons, but i LOVE what I do. That’s the difference. People say if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life. Those people are well meaning and also liars. IT’S. STILL. WORK. I wish i trusted myself much earlier in life, but I’m grateful I now know who I am and what I bring to the table. Find what you love to do, and figure out how to get paid to do it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
If you’re meeting me for the first time, Hey Hey Hey! I’m Loren Smith, My music has surpassed over a million and a half Youtube views including my first single “Break Free” featured on NBC’s Today Show. In addition to being a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, My solo vocals have been featured in the motion picture “Get Out”, Hulu’s “Love, Victor” and I’ve lent my voice to the recording projects of BTS, Nick Carter and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, shared the stage as supporting vocalist for Arcade Fire, Deborah Cox, Heather Headley and Andy Grammer, and I’m currently a featured vocalist in the “Silver Lining Singers” on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE and vocal director of Michael Buble’s Background Vocalists and Live Choirs.
More than who I work for or what I do, I want you to know the “why”. As an intention based person, When I work as/for myself, I use my art to unite us as people. Remind us that we are more alike than different, and to hopefully make you think higher, maybe even think differently. Acceptance matters to me. Suicide Prevention matters to me. And in a crazy and chaotic world, Love matters to me. When I work for others, my job is to listen and figure out how best to utilize my strengths to execute their vision. I’ve studied music my entire life, and I pull from those influences to be as versatile, flexible and well versed as possible.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is to teach others as I’m learning, to love themselves and each other better. Take the opportunity to consider life through someone else’s perspective. I genuinely feel SO MUCH of earth’s problems would be solved if we would bump WAY up the empathy for our fellow humans. The opening and transforming of hearts and minds is at the core of the art I create.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I’m going to be honest. Protect your toes and hold on to your butt. I can’t COUNT how many times I’ve been discounted, disregarded or looked over for the talent I’ve worked my whole life on because people expected me to sound “good” because I’m african american. As if earning my college degree, studying voice, the YEARS spent practicing my craft never happened or made a difference. It’s happened to my face, out loud, unapologetically, more times than i care to admit. I also come from an insanely talented huge musical family, so I believed that I, my gift, and my effort weren’t special. I had to unlearn letting others define me, and reprogram my brain to know I DEFINE ME. I’ve never fit in a box, or a sports car for that matter, so It’s up to me to choose everyday to stand in the fullness and purpose of the me I am divinely created to be. That’s all that’s required of me, and more than enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sanglorensmith.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sanglorensmith
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sanglorensmith
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/sanglorensmith
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/sanglorensmith