We recently connected with Aljournal “ELOVET” Franklin II and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aljournal “ELOVET”, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’m not sure that being an artist is about being happy. Ignorance is bliss, but as an artist part of the job is to be very aware and very sensitive. You have to feel and experience a lot of things that other people don’t or that they also feel but not as deeply. Then we take these feelings and experiences and through our art, we translate them to something others can relate to and digest. So no, a lot of times I’m not happy, but that’s ok, it just makes me appreciate when I am happy.

Yeah, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to just be regular, to not have a creative drive that teeters on obsession…it sounds nice in some ways, but the thought also makes me feel sick. I don’t know if I could survive that way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I think there is a lot that people don’t know about me, which is strange in our current “share every moment of your life online” society. I’ve been creating all of my life, the kid scribbling away in a sketchbook instead of looking out the window to enjoy the view. Which led to me going to school to study visual arts. I still draw and paint regularly, and pick up some freelance illustration/design work when I can. I’ve also gotten really into video editing over the past few years as well.

I dabbled off and on with music for years and even tried to start a band or two in college which quickly fell apart as most do. Then one day I sat down at a DAW and started making a song, realized I could make music on my own, and here I am years later still making music as “ELOVET”. my new ep: “WAR!!!” released on the 23rd of October, which is a big deal because it’s my first multi-track project since 2019. Its obviously an exciting thing in general, but more so with this project because it feels very different from most of what I’ve shared in the past.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I still don’t understand them. Is it digital art, but also a cryptocurrency token of some sort? That also constantly grows in value and pays the original creator? Sounds like a great way to make serious money as an artist, if you’re popular enough, but I still think I’d rather go to a gallery and look at a canvas on the wall. Not to bash it, I really just don’t understand how it works…someone call me and explain…please?

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I don’t know man, check in on your creative friends: Invite them out to a coffee or to grab a slice of pizza or something. Share their work with people, either in person or online, even though most of us are creating things because we feel a need, its how we express ourselves or we can’t help it. It’s always a great feeling to have others enjoy your work or boost you up. Plus artists can be sensitive people struggling with a lot more than they let on. So again: CHECK IN ON YOUR CREATIVE FRIENDS.

I’m not sure what you mean by a thriving creative ecosystem, but maybe more programs and spaces for creatives to get together and mingle. Not in a competitive or “let’s network” type of environment, but just like a creative sandbox. That can be pretty hard to find, but maybe that’s more about where you are than anything else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://this-is-elovet.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: @IM_ELO_VET
• Youtube: @elovetmusic
• Other: All of my links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/Elovet Listen to ELOVET wherever you stream your music!

Image Credits
SELO & KIRYN SKY ARMSTRONG