We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anthony Lachus a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In order to create one must take risks. To make something that was not there is a risk. Allowing others to look at or listen to what was made is to allow them to judge it, which is taking a risk. Every new piece is the culmination and a test of your knowledge, experience and ability. An artist must feel within themselves that their work-in-progress is pushing their own boundaries if they are to grow as an artist, which is a risk.

When I first started recording musicians over 15 years ago, I had an entry level portable digital recorder, two $200 microphones, and put the music together with open-source software, as I was just beginning to understand the skill. Others had million-dollar studios with expensive mixing boards and microphones worth more than my car. But I had taken the risk of immersing myself in an existing community of established artists and, in time, opportunities came to record both amateur and professional musicians. I knew I would be learning on the spot, but when a good opportunity comes along, even though I felt my equipment to be sub-par, I had to try. It helped me to develop the skills of perseverance and quick learning. Recording one song led to recording multiple songs. Producing songs eventually led to producing albums. Producing albums led to presenting albums thru the independent record label I created to promote the music I produced. Then to producing music showcases and small festivals. The process of learning and professional development cannot happen without taking risks. You cannot achieve a goal without taking risks.

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?

Many years ago, I listened to a Bob Dylan song which sent me down the path to starting my business Gray Wolf Records & Productions to create opportunity for musicians and artists who were local to me, giving them a chance to pursue professional careers in their desired creative field. It began with recording local musicians in their living rooms and basements. Then to recording in cathedrals at world class universities and studios. Eventually leading to taking a risk in creating my own space to record and create art in.

Creating the music is only part of the process, presenting it is another part. Presenting it requires an understanding and competency in a number of disciplines, in order to fill in where needed. I became a photographer, illustrator, designer, webmaster, videographer and so on. Some I enjoyed so much that I pursued them deeper. The deepest being drawing and photography.

Soon, the skills I learned to create concert posters for various music showcases and album art were creating artwork for screen print and t-shirts. People would tell me stories of them sending my artwork to their friends and how much it meant to them, which was perhaps more gratifying than the sales of the artwork. Resonating with an audience is rewarding. One in particular, a t-shirt with an illustration of a sausage on a fork, was purchased by a stranger at an art show in Wisconsin, the person would me photos of he and his wife traveling to Spain, Portugal, and elsewhere around Europe wearing the shirt.

About a year after I began making t-shirts, a watercolor teacher made a painting of my dog, which led me to take her watercolor class. The teacher would make us sign our artwork, even if we we’re unhappy with the finished product. It was part of our artistic journey, and we must take ownership and responsibility for everything we create to help us grow as artists. Since then, I have been putting my signature on the shirts. It’s a philosophy I think of often in both art and business. There are now over 20 original designs for sale with more on the way.

At the same time, I was still writing and producing my own music. An original song I wrote, Undertow, was played on national radio, even went a little viral (relative to my other songs) in Finland on Spotify. That was the first of a series of songs I have released on Spotify and other streaming services.

Also, while this was happening, my local community would approach me with various needs which led to me producing podcasts, small music festivals, listening room music experiences, live-stream music series, and being an advocate for local musicians and artists.

My pursuits have always mixed disciplines in a way that makes sense to me, even though others may disagree.

My t-shirts are for sale on my website, along with photos and video of my various music productions and work history:

graywolfrecords.com

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being an artist is a never-ending journey of discovery, re-discovery and self-development. It’s a way to channel phases of life into creations, hopefully helping the audience discover something within themselves. The challenge is a compelling experience and reward within itself. Being an artist or creative is a skill that grows ever stronger with time, and building a skill knowing it will be enhanced with time is rewarding. It is an ever-present challenge and opportunity for growth that can be incorporated into many aspects of life. Your best work could always be what’s coming up.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had two studios flood. Both times shined a light on what was needed. Each was an expectation I had to pivot from. One studio flooded and I relocated. The other studio flooded, and an outpouring of generosity encouraged me to rebuild instead of relocating. Pivoting helped me learn that expectations must match the required practicalities. Personal experience is a great teacher that strong alignment allows access to your potential.

What I have learned most from having to pivot is that although it can feel like the best work requires the right time, the right time is the moment you have. The right tools are the tools you have. There is your plan, then there is the plan that happens. Expectations will go unfulfilled. Others will fill its place. Sometimes the unexpected is more rewarding than what was hoped for.

Pivoting is self-discovery. Not always the easiest to accept but often a rewarding learning experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: graywolfrecords.com
• Instagram: losthighwayblues
• Twitter: @HighwayBluesArt
• Other: Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/08aGpt0tXFhoi0BJIBSwOB?si=ab20d376Q2-FTbPpVFn3QA

Image Credits
Photo of me playing the guitar is by Ray Fox. The rest of the images and artworks are my own.