We were lucky to catch up with Aaron Lepley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

When I was 12 years old, I saw David Bowie on a Pepsi commercial performing “Modern Love”. At that moment, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. It was as if the world went from black and white to color. I immediately gobbled up every Bowie album I could get my hands on. I saved my allowance and bought an acoustic guitar and a Bowie songbook, and spent every free moment learning chords and practicing. That led to writing my own songs, forming a band, and pursuing studying music in college.

Being self taught, there was definitely a learning curve when I started my studies. I was used to working at my own pace and practicing at will. On top of the intense work load necessary for your concentration (mine was Composition and was expected to write for two hours daily), you must also study an instrument (mine was piano) and were also expected to practice two hours a day. It was overwhelming, to say the least. If I knew then what I know now, I definitely would have gotten a head start, pursued music classes in middle and high school, taken private lessons, and had a more rigid rehearsal schedule. Honestly, the largest obstacle was myself and lack of discipline. I tended to put things off until the last moment and rush through my work. Over time, I’ve grown to be better disciplined and have am committed to better practices all around (especially when a deadline is looming over my shoulder). Having a schedule where you compose/rehearse/read/paint etc at the same time daily is not only helpful and necessary to advance your skills, you’ll surprise yourself at how quickly you grow and how much material you generate.

Aaron, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a composer, performer, and educator. My music ranges from works for full orchestra, small ensembles, solo pieces, electronic music, and various hybrids thereof. I hold the Master of Music in Composition from the University of South Florida. I create original compositions for advertisements, film, and multimedia art installations. I also play, perform, write, and record with my wife, Kim Stein-Lepley. We recently moved to Portland, OR from Austin, TX, where we wrote, recorded, and performed together with our two friends in our band hyperbad. We’re not sure what our next project is, but we’re excited to find out!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Beyond striving to actualize what I hear in my head, I am driven to constantly create something vastly different from my previous projects. I’ve never understood artists who incessantly repeat themselves with little variation in their work. I find it incredibly exciting to challenge myself this manner- always striving for a unique perspective or sound. I’m in competition with myself.

I also love working with others. Collaboration fosters ideas, artistic avenues, and conclusions at which I wouldn’t have arrived by myself. Recently, I have been collaborating with artist Davy Whitcraft, creating music for his videos and installations. Long time friend and photographer Daniel Newcomb and I have been working a series of multimedia installations. I also have been working with multimedia artist Maidenfed, writing instrumentals for her to rap over. It’s all been a fun and rewarding experience. Through working with these individuals, I’ve definitely explored new musical territory.

As previously mentioned, my wife, Kim Stein Lepley, and I are about to embark on a new project, whatever that may be. We have written/played/performed in three ensembles together- each vastly different than the last. Every new project is an adventure, and I’m looking forward to where this one takes us.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’m resilient in the sense that I’ve been pursuing my musical endeavors since I was twelve. Come hell or high water, I’ve never given up. I’ve often been frustrated, felt defeated, and thought about throwing in the towel. Thankfully, I haven’t. In the back of my mind, I know I never will. You have to patient and persistent, and remind yourself that something better is always around the corner. It’s not necessarily an easy livelihood. Finding work can be difficult and daunting, and it’s often far from steady. You have to ceaselessly put yourself out there, meet people and make connections. That in itself can feel like a full time job, regardless of the countless hours spent composing and recording. Over the years, I’ve done all kinds of work to stay financially afloat while honing my craft- I’ve cleaned apartments, mended fences, dug ditches, worked the front desk at a hotel, pumped gas, made pizza, washed dishes, bussed tables- you name it, I’ve done it. When opportunity in your field comes along, it’s that much more rewarding, knowing how dedicated and determined you’ve been

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aaronlepley.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronlepley/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-lepley-a8302057/
• Other: Bandcamp: https://aaronlepley.bandcamp.com/
  hyperbad Bandcamp- https://hyperbad.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits

Lepley typewriter/accordion & brick wall- Daniel Newcomb
Lepley Alameda street scene- Kim Stein- Lepley
Live photos with guitar- Logan Cheney
slow learner/late bloomer album cover art -tjopekdotcom
hyperbad Plastic Possibilities album cover art – Kim Stein-Lepley