We recently connected with Beat Thief Inc and have shared our conversation below.
Beat Thief, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Luckily enough for me, I have had the opportunity to turn my crafts into a full-time living. I make most of my income from creative consultations on retainer, poster and album designs, logo and branding concepts for some of the most unique companies in their industry. I also play music gigs on the weekends and special events/festivals which help provide more income and network my skills. I started out of the trunk of my car, literally door to door, in a city where I was a nobody. Networking and creating a name for myself through honesty, hard work ethic. and resources for anything you needed. Making myself invaluable to people/businesses who couldn’t figure out how to or didn’t have the time to figure things out. I would teach myself and do the research. I eventually found a niche’ where I became a problem solver. Whether it was a product, or how your marketing and designs affected your target market, or how your new song would sound with a little DJ elements or wobble synth sound effects, I did the leg work and became a master of many crafts. I never believed in the “what if” scenario. So speeding up the process to me is not relevant. Everything happens for a reason, and all of the moments are important to the process. If I had the chance to go back and whisper something in my younger selves ear, it would probably be to trim the fat, and cut loose lazy/drama focused people with no motivation. They are the only thing that will hold you back from reaching your goals faster. Don’t be afraid to let loose the people you care about if they do not match your level of drive. You can still love someone and not have to work with them on a professional level. They may even hate you for it, but that is not on you. Surround yourself with successful people with the same vision as you, if not better. Always strive to be a better human.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I’m a creative consultant for the music industry and beyond. Veteran producer, composer, engineer and musician. I’ve been playing instruments (mostly brass) since I was in middle school, and started throwing and performing at underground events since I was 16/17 years old. Whether it was Punk Rock, Electronic, Reggae/Dub, Ska, Hardcore, Funk, Jam band, Hip Hop etc… I was on the ground floor promoting, dancing, performing, and networking all over the world before social media existed. It started out with passing out flyers, then I realized those flyers could look better… Then I started designing, and DJing at big events all over the country. I would ghost produce and consult on some of the coolest music concepts from a wide variety of genres. I left the music industry for a little while to do some soul-searching and extensive martial arts training. When I returned, everything was online. I had to adapt quickly. It was a whole new world with new opportunities. When I was young, I dropped out of school to pursue a real education through experience and travel. It was the best decision I ever made. Paving the path for me to do anything I wanted to. From hitchhiking around the world, to hanging out backstage at Dead concerts. From having nothing, living on the streets, to riding in limousines and opening for big name acts or adding cool elements to a new song or album in the studio. My latest focus has been on our new band The Arc. It’s one of the greatest projects I have even had the chance to help create alongside some of the most talented musicians in the industry, Noah Prescott and Jay Tea. The sound is a blend of all of our musical influences from across many genres of music. Reggae, Hip Hop, Dub, Funk, Electronic, Blues, Trip Hop, Acid Jazz, and more.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of my career is that I wake up every day, and do what I want to do. If I want to sleep in, I do. If I want to go the the gym, then I go. I am doing what I love, and that is the secret to being happy. My time is exactly that. Mine. That is true freedom. Understanding what your time is worth, and being able to say no when it doesn’t align with your path is how you reach your true life goals.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is simple. Absorb as much of everything as possible, and bring to life something creative from all of that knowledge & experience that is truly my own. Right now my mission is to be better… A better friend, lover, father, brother, uncle, son, musician, community member, leader and human all around.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyperfollow.com/beatthiefinc
- Instagram: @beathiefinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beatthiefinc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeatThiefinc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiGXyqNMZCIGNQfYsDgfjQg
- Other: New Band Project: http://www.thearc.band/ https://www.facebook.com/thearc.live @thearc.band