We recently connected with 73 Libra and have shared our conversation below.
Hi 73 Libra, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
First, I decided that I wanted to be a musician. (highly motivated) It was not a hobby I plucked around with for several years and then decided I wanted to level up. Second, I am not done learning! I have enough skill to have command over my instrument but, by no means, am I a master. But, here is my personal journey to get my career moving. 1. Decided to play 2. took lessons 3. Enrolled in music school 4. Played a ton outside of school. 5. Practiced A LOT
I am not sure I could have learned that much more at first…Full immersion was what I had going. I was learning electric bass AND upright bass in jazz and orchestral studies on top of playing in bands to let my personal tastes get a taste of freedom. It was an intense 5 years of my life! At my height, I was practicing 4+ hours a day just on my orchestral studies!! I definitely wish I had tken my journey at a younger age.
Essential skills to have while just starting out was definitely to have patience. Music is a skill and you cannot cram for a skill.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
At 21 I decided I wanted to be a rock star. I bought a bass and amplifier and set out to play. My focus has always been on making my own muisc. So , when people ask me what songs I know…I shrug. Playing in original bands has been my passion and I have been keeping at it for 25 years. (Still not a rock star however)
My current band, 73 Libra (www.73Libra,com), has found me on the innovative side of playing. I combined my electric bass to have bass strings AND guitar strings on it. When I play, it sounds like a guitar player and a bass player. I find that important because 73 Libra is a two piece band. Two piece bands tend to lack one side of the spectrum or the other and I strive to have a full, dynamic sound. This, I am proud of because it has made me rethink how I play and basically had to (re)learn an new instrument.
We are a 2 piece heavy rock/alternative metal band. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but expand your horizions and give it a try.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I entered music school, I had only been playing bass about 2 years. (ask me about the audition for muisc school another time) I was also 23 at this time and the other incoming freshmen were coming in from high school at 18. They also had at least 5 or more years of music training prior to entering music school. I had some piano prior to 5th grade and a year of tuba…that was my background besides some lessons. I had effectively NO SKILLS. Some of my first masterclasses were playing “Twinkle Twinkle” in front of my peers. Embarassing. Had no idea how music theory worked. Failed most of my work and tests. Again, embarassing.
I kept at it.
Things finally started to click. My homework and tests got better. I was playing music on the level with everyone else. I even made the Dean’s list a couple of times. 5 years later I graduated!!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I speak from the music side of being an artist. I find the most rewarding part is the collaboration. I am not one to build a track from a foundation to final realization. I thrive on working with my band mates to push, mold, and shape an idea into something. There have been many times where an idea will completely morph from its in initial inception to the final product. Working with great people like Opie (drums in 73 libra and a past project Izzy Edible) helps fuel that process as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.73Libra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1973_libra/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/73Libra
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/TauqCStGq40
- Other: https://73libra.bandcamp.com/