We recently connected with Aairo and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aairo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I discovered I wanted to pursue a music career professionally in 2018 after graduating from high school I always had played music in school, whether that was school band or choir, but later into my high school years, I began teaching myself to produce. It started off as a fun hobby and also a way for me to see the songs I had envisioned come to fruition, but at first I was unsure if it was something I could do seriously.

When it comes to creatives, a lot of us are faced with the choice of making our passion to our main source of income, or finding a job that pays well and indulging in your passions in your spare time. A lot of society tries to push creatives into the second category, saying things like “music/acting/etc doesn’t make much money. You should get a REAL job doing (insert high-paying job here)”. I faced this same dilemma but didn’t want to make any big life decisions without fully knowing what I wanted to do. I was fresh out of high school and debating going to college for Computer Science or not going to college at all and pursuing music.

I decided to take a GAP year and during that time I traveled solo throughout Europe for around 3 months. During this period, I set the intention to have clarity on what was the right path for me. I didn’t play any music or do anything music related for the entire time, and that was the longest I had ever went without playing music, considering I grew up around it. Going that long without it fueled my passion, and made me realize pursuing a creative path professionally and in life is something I have to do. I don’t want to look back and have regrets because I didn’t try. From that day, I have been actively pursuing an artistic path professionally.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My goal as an artist is to use my experiences to reconnect people to their feelings. I spent a long time unable to handle my emotions because I felt they were too strong. Emotions felt like a weakness, but overtime, I have learned they are my greatest strength. It is a blessing to feel. In today’s times, a lot of life is lived on auto-pilot for most people. I want for my music to help people further connect with themselves. I desire for my music to be a light that shines onto the darkest crevices of the listener revealing emotions, traumas, etc. and bring forward healing.

For me, writing songs is like journaling. As I make the songs, I go through my own healing process. When I finish a song, I feel better about the initial emotion that triggered the song. I also understand the emotion behind the song a lot more too. If anything, I want for people to listen to my music and be inspired to take their own deep dive within.

A few topics my music tends to focus on is love, spirituality, nature, emotion, and life through all of its ups and downs.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being an artist is the opportunity to create. Life is not everlasting, and knowing this, I wake up everyday, excited because each day is an opportunity to create, and send my creations off into the unknown and see what they become. Waking up daily and choosing to live a life creating is rewarding to me because everyday I get to do something that I love. On top of the fact that my creations can assist and help others.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One thing I think non-creatives may not understand is not every decision needs to be “logical” or make sense on paper. Yes, you can take a job that pays six figures, but if the stress from said job is so much that you cannot enjoy the benefits of being paid six figures, what’s the point then? I think theres nothing wrong with wanting to work a regular job. It actually provides a ton more security which I’d love for myself, but I think it’s also important to make time for the things you love too, whether that’s a passion, your family, etc. These things are fleeting and many people only understand their fleeting nature after they’re gone. Maybe taking a lower paying job may not make sense financially but it allows you to spend more time with your kids/family. If you value your family time, then that makes all the sense in the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncleaairo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncleaairo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Aairo

Image Credits
Photographers: Hatsue Andrews Geraldo Malaval Kymani Roach