We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Blaise Mercedes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Blaise below.

Hi Blaise, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always known that music was my passion. As a kid, I felt a primal need to create, daydreaming about stadium performances and creating visual art. I would sing whilst skating around the sala (living room), acting out the life of a rockstar dressed in grunge-pop couture.That raw creative desire helped me survive as a youth, and now, they drive my adult ambition. I carry with me the lessons I have learned from musicians and mentors I met when I was twelve; those lessons have transformed my talents into applicable skills. My tangible career really began in my late teens when I started singing for weddings and tribute shows across Western New York.

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

My name is Blaise Mercedes and I’m an artist from Buffalo New York. I lead a band called Blaised And Confused with Oscar Woodrich, a friend and original band mate from previous iterations. It’s hard to put a finger on a defining genre but I like to refer to a Sneakvibing write up that said we have an ”exciting, non-conformist approach to rock music”. I like that a lot because it’s true. Each band member, long term or visiting, seeks parts of themselves outside whatever prevailing standard exists in their life and you hear it in the music and see it on stage. It’s palpable and I think that’s what resonates with our audience the most. It’s what resonates with me anyway. Plus, it makes any cover songs we do that much more interesting because we’re thinking outside the box wondering “how far can we take this while still honoring the original tune?”

This passion project took many reiterations to get where it is now. Blaise Mercedes and The Crew grew from the bar gig scene, doing cover shows and themed nights to how it exists now. I’m realizing that this ‘thing’ has evolved into an artist collective. Each person involved is a creative in some way, designers, photographers, musicians, even the audience. High standards and they stand ten toes down, so badass. It’s such a privilege to see everyones work and ethic up close like this.

For example, Miso McAllister of Miso’s Place is a clothing designer and multi-faceted artist. She makes my outfits for shows and most of the merchandise. She’s also my roommate so collaborating with her in our studio is an invaluable experience for our artistry and community connection.

Aside from creating music, that’s probably my favorite part. The way people breathe life into this ‘thing’, this band, this experience. There’s nothing else like it and folx are welcomed.

The music is becoming more playful and I think that has a lot to do with our intentions shifting. My lyrics have always been emotionally dense or political. I’ve talked a lot about abuse, mental illness, and emotional discontent which feels a bit wild considering the music it’s layered over. I don’t think I’ll ever turn away from those topics but I’m happy to have found a space where I can write more freely. For example, Oscar and I set intentions to write ‘danceable’ music partly to change our song rotation and take the place of “Hella Good” by No Doubt. This change in writing intention coincided with my desire to read and write as a skill. I’d like to explore song writing as a career in some capacity down the line so I gotta work that muscle sometime. All this to say, I’m entering a new era of expression where liberation and integrity is consistently on my mind. To find the joy, check in with values, and play.

Performing is the final invitation I think. I practice a lot at home leading up to shows, similar to choreography. I’ll rehearse with the band or alone in office, ideally with the shoes I’ll be wearing day of. I have a timer to keep track of my transitions or add a touch of choreo, that helps me remember lyrics. It’s become a bit methodical as I keep adding things to the ‘To Do’ list but it’s essential for me to stay in the moment come show time. I don’t want to miss a moment with my band, my audience, or myself. Locking stage presence down serves the greater mission of cultivating a safe space for everyone. Our shows can be a place where folx can ‘play’ or be playful beside us while engaging with their community in whatever way feels good. I love that and hope I can always honor that.

The attention to detail, care for community, and our authenticity sets B&C apart, for sure.

Our audience is so fucking cool. Our band is cool. The team is cool, everything and everyone is so worth every bit.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

At this time, the most rewarding aspect is the act of building trust with myself through the work. What I want from my art and how I move to get it requires attention and reflection. This is especially true to maintain integrity. I think it’s easy to get distracted by capitalistic ideals or drown in the melancholic hum that seems to be in background of my head most of the time. It’s easy to slip into that place in my body where I don’t feel safe and make harmful decisions. I lived there for a while, it’s a scary, low place to be. I rarely visit these days and I’m healthier for it.

So to make meaningful art and to be in the circles I want be in requires slow action, meditation, and true self discipline. Whatever is required make the best decisions in the moment, I try to do. I know it maybe sounds abstract but when I started to slow down and really focus on the work as it was being done instead of fixating on the ideal end product, everything felt more enjoyable. Those experiences really boost my confidence and gave me permission to explore different mediums and musical styles too. Creating while surviving is next to impossible for me and now that I’m no longer in survival mode, the healing feels like creating. The more I create the more I trust myself to get shit done.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The scene from Marcel the Shell with shoes on where Nana Connie says to Marcel “I like you brave”. I watched it for the first time when I was sick at home with the worst ear infection, it put me on my ass. Honestly, it was a humbling experience and reaffirmed that I need to slow down and care for myself, body and spirit. Being sick and miserable and burnt out isn’t a virtue. Anyway, that scene really got to me. I’m scared more times than i can keep track but it’s okay as long as I try to be brave about it. Those can live together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaised.and.confused/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlaisedAndConfused
• Other: https://youtu.be/2Ouqt6B4i0E?si=Kx6BHpn9TSbWbtaZ <- Recent recording of new music to be released this year

Image Credits
Eula Banks Painkiller.AKW Nathan Allen