We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Synthia Looper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Synthia, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I’m extraordinarily happy as an artist. Yes, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, however I love being my own boss and I take my creative career very seriously.
I like to set high standards and conduct myself as a professional. To do so I implement many of the same practices that one would have with a regular job. I abide by a schedule; network with others in the industry; collaborate, attend, and facilitate meetings with my team; set a budget; research and implement best practices; take lunch breaks; and practice music and write on a regular basis. I even go so far as setting goals using the SMART acronym approach (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), to ensure my vision and goals are not only attainable, but also fulfilling on a personal level.
Furthermore, I’ll revisit goals with my band mate, or with those who are playing a key role with attaining that particular goal, to make adjustments as needed. At the end of the year I’ll revisit these goals again to reflect on all we’ve accomplished, debrief on what we could’ve done differently, and possibly set new goals. I’ll even do a personal check-in with bandmates / colleagues to ensure we’re all feeling mentally healthy and fulfilled. If we agree we need a break or need to change things up, I’m always willing to be flexible, as I know Rome wasn’t built in a day. I think these are all important aspects of a ‘regular’ job that keep a workplace a happy and functional place.
Although sometimes I think it might be easier to have someone simply telling me what needs to be done, I’m quickly remind that instead of a corporation reaping the rewards of my labor, at the end of the day it’s me and those who enjoy working with me who reap the rewards. This level of focus and drive that goes in to my creative work allows me to feel as though I am living my dream, fulfilling my own goals in life, and being true to myself.
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 am a musician, performance artist, and world builder out of Flint, Michigan. My music is a blend of dark, edgy, synthpop and dreamy electronica. I sings songs of vengeance, loss, love, lust, sexuality, mental anguish, and equality alongside my companion, Aux Looper. Together, we use a loop station, voice FX, sampler, and an electric guitar.
Synthia Looper was conceptualized out of a deep love of music, sci-fi, fantasy, makeup, graphic novels, cosplay, and social justice. I created her character as a means of coping with all of the turbulence in society, especially in the last few years, while providing myself with a healthy, creative outlet. However, despite all of the political and global chaos, I’m grateful for the recent pop-culture shift (brewing on high, especially over the last decade or so) popularizing what I lovingly refer to as nerddom (ex: Marvel / DC movies, special effects makeup, cosplay, graphic novels, etc.).
The same elements that make nerdom alive and well today established the foundation of creativity my entire life, so it finally felt like the right time to showcase all of my nerdom while exploring so many other facets that weren’t as accessible in the past to create Synthia Looper. However, because I love dressing in various costumes, wigs, makeup, etc., I couldn’t settle on just one type of character, so I developed her into what I call a ‘Synthapien,’ a part human, alien and synthetic android capable of changing forms based on the current dimensions in which she resides. Her surname ‘Looper’ implies she loops through space and time. She generates otherworldly sounds, lyrics, and even visuals through song and art to regale listeners of her interdimensional travels. Despite her various forms, however, she remains a strong, bold artist whose compassion for humanity never sways, and she’s made it her mission to transport listeners to her worlds where delicate beauty and romance coexist with the dark, the light, and cybernetics.
As for what sets me apart and what I’d like potential fans to know: it’s okay to be a nerd and show it! I absolutely LOVE dressing in costume, performing, and celebrating sci-fi, nerdom, and music! So come be a nerd with me! It’s always a good time!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It’s become clear to me that being authentic is so incredibly rewarding. I’ve noticed that when I am not dedicating enough time to being creative, sometimes it feels as though I am making myself sick. It’s like my soul is urging me to create so that I may honor my true self and live a fulfilling and happy life. So, to maintain a healthy and rewarding lifestyle, it’s important that I create.
Also, since performing over the last year, another incredibly rewarding aspect has been the positive influence my performances have had on others. For instance, when children see me perform, including my own daughter, it’s beautiful to witness how their faces light up. I’m in costume afterall, so they’re curiosity and excitement peak when they see a friendly, otherworldly sci-fi character in real life. They’ll sometimes want a photo and like to take the time to tell me how they love to dress in costume too, or they’re a big fan of my music and hope to play music someday, as well. Other interactions with artists, especially women, who approach me after a show and say things like ‘Your confidence on stage is inspiring!’ or ‘I really love what you’re doing and hope to perform some day, too!’ mean a great deal to me as well.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I think it’s incredibly important for artists to have space, time, funds, and resources to create, but unfortunately a lot of that isn’t available to artists because much of society sees little value in art, especially the United States. For instance, year after year more funding that would have otherwise been reserved for art and music is cut in the public school system, with no other system in place to make up for the loss.
Although I am a big proponent of STEM in academics, art and music go hand in hand with STEM. It’s the creative genius of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and the like who develop ground breaking ideas and inventions that change the world. These new ideas stem from a place of creative thinking, and creative thinking is encouraged and enhanced through art and music. Just imagine if our society prioritized art and music; as though it was commonplace to dedicate funding for artist to have access to classes, retreats, collaborative opportunities with STEM students; and even built facilities dedicated for artist live/workspace. I truly believe this would not only strongly encourage society to stop and smell the roses, but advances in technology, mental / physical health, general happiness and well being would be monumental.
Additionally, art and music comes from a place of deep, beautiful, complex emotions and to express ourselves is cathartic and healing. Imagine a world where people felt more comfortable to be vulnerable to express themselves through healthy outlets like art and music.
I’ve read the key to a happy life isn’t a high IQ, it’s high emotional intelligence. I believe art can gently encourage society to explore and understand their feelings better, and gradually gain a high level of emotional intelligence. Just imagine how much less violence, inequality, and injustice there would be, and how much more peace, love, and happiness our world would feel and see.
So to anyone who’s wondering what more they can do: Support art and music at home, donate to causes related to art / music; purchase unique, one of a kind art from local artists or attend performances and purchase merchandise from local musicians; start an artist collective / co-op; or vote for art funding at the local, city, county, state, or national level. There are so many ways to support art and I implore you, please support art in any way you can!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.synthialooper.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synthialooper/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SynthiaLooper/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/synthia_looper?lang=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCLtrnI-5V_rE0iVTOT__-BQ
- Other: Bandcamp: https://synthialooper.bandcamp.com/ TikTok: https://www.google.com/search?q=synthia+looper+tiktok&rlz=1CAZJXP_enUS771US771&oq=synthia+looper+tiktok&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j69i60.5660j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Image Credits
Porsche Aremia – Full Send Studios Mikel Pfeiffer – Digital Racket