We were lucky to catch up with Austin Barker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Austin, appreciate you joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Being misunderstood and mischaracterized is something I’ve been all my life. I never really understood why and it always did kind of affect me mentally. It sometimes would just make my brain feel a feeling of uncomfort but for some reason in moments of uncomfort I have really found ways on how to keep myself pushing on whatever path I was on before and am still on. The black sheep or the chosen one I like to call myself. I am always intrigued by the misunderstood or mischaracterized because I know how it feels and I never want someone to feel the things i have felt before.

Austin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Realizing my abilities to create did not come to me until around my junior year of high school. My family motivated me very much in the aspects of making music. My mom and dad have played music in the house all my life. My brother and sister can sing with their soul. My brother is actually a signed music artist so watching him and others in my family do what they do heavily moved me to tap into my creative side. Once I picked up the mic everything else followed after and God had guided me through it all. What sets me apart of everyone else is literally the way I was raised and the love I have in my heart and God. Nothing has anything to do with me really I am just doing trying my best to follow God although I can do a better job we still try out best and that will be a key reason to why my energy can be separated from most. Through my methods of creating I am most proud of the strength I have carried through the adversities I’ve faced while being open and vulnerable to this evil world and how I still have faith in God and myself through all of the years. To future followers/fans I want you all to know that this is God. I am here to be a vessel of light and love and if you are too please let’s walk together. If not your door will be closed and God won’t even allow you to walk beside me. The devil is a lie and the truth is what moves my soul. God has hands on you and I.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One year everyone turned on me. My cousin passed away I broke up with my gf of 3 years and my whole group turned their backs on me over lies and rumors. I was so hurt with how everyone turned on because I’ve only ever given them true love I cried for years and to this day I still cry because of the scars that was left on me from those times. Once I got my brain back on track I began to create my own brand and I named it Distant Memory. Distant Memory is my baby and to me it shows and promotes my resilient ways and efforts to keep pushing no matter how hard or hurt or distrust rd you’ve been. A little break won’t hurt but make sure to get your foot back on the gas and push. Distant Memory got into Vogue two years into the making and that was one of my biggest publishings. I took the photo That was published on vogue and I also created the whole outfit. So many congratulations from even people who have turned their backs on me and all I could do was thank God.

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

My particular goal and mission driving my creative journey would be my passion within living and creating the life that I dream. I want to prove to myself that I am a great manifestor. I want to prove to God that I am love and light and that I do have strong faith. I want to prove to my family that I am who I believe I am. I want the world to feel this energy. I believe the world needs to feel this energy not even for change even though I’d love to help change. Simply because this energy I carry through my creative journey is so real and true and we all need real and true love. The process is such a beautiful experience as well I have so much during the process and seeing everything unfold within the beauty and the ugly. The process is to be cherished so when we finally make it the light shines on me and my people so bright and for so long.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Earthtohooly
• Twitter: Yunghooly

Image Credits
Photo by Darwin