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

Alright, Blake thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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.

Honestly, risks are unavoidable when pursuing an artist career in music. The one that stands out most in my mind, is taking side jobs that I’m overqualified for or don’t pay a lot, due to the flexibility. Flexibility with scheduling in my side-income sources has always been my biggest priority, so I can continue to focus on building my artist project. This becomes tricky from time to time, having to keep your ego in check as well as learning to live in a cheaper way. The doubt creeps in from time to time – “will I be able to pay my bills/eat?” “I could easily get a 9-5 and live so comfortably”… Although I still have trouble with being uncomfortable sometimes, I believe that risks are a necessary aspect of the growth process.

Blake, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began learning music and production at an early age but didn’t take it seriously until after college. After getting a Bachelors in Music Technology and Performance from Purdue University, I moved to Nashville in 2017. Originally, I wanted to stay behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer, trying to figure out how to sign a publishing deal. I was writing with many other people in town, but it seemed like the needle wasn’t moving. My songs started becoming more personal as I really started to lean into hip-hop a bit more. When Covid hit, the writes in town stopped, and I put my head down and focused on my music. In 2021, I released my first song as a solo artist.

My goal of the project is to make people aware that they don’t have to be miserable while making an income. They don’t have to give in to the societal pressures of the 9-5, family life, and education; but that they can follow their passion, and support themselves financially doing it. I believe this is the reason I got a late start with my career. I was mentally boxed in and doing the things that everyone else wanted me to do, rather than doing what I wanted to do.

Stylistically, I’m very influenced by Timbaland, Max Martin, Don Tolliver, Noah Shebib, and Jon Bellion. As songwriters/producers, we try to stay ahead of trends, and I believe these musicians are some of the best at staying ahead of the curve.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Elizabeth Gilbert talks about inspiration/ideas like they’re entities. It can come to anyone at any time. But if you don’t execute, then it moves to someone else. Inspiration can come at any time of the day. When I’m writing, it’s almost like I’m in a flow or zen, and I’m just channeling. It’s not out of the ordinary for me to disappear in a bathroom at work, or sit in my car while my friends are at a bar, to get ideas out of my head (written down or voice noted). If I don’t, I forget them.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Part of the human condition is dealing with the problems and curveballs life throws at us. Some people choose to bottle them up, some self-soothe in healthy and unhealthy ways, some people journal to work through their problems, etc. In the beginning, that’s what this project was for me. I found a way to journal/express myself that was unique to myself while using my artistic skills, which was super rewarding at first. As I dove deeper into the industry and my fan base, the most rewarding thing has been when people can relate to the same life problems I’m dealing with it. Often, I get caught up with the busy-ness of life; it’s so nice to know I’m not alone with some of the things that stress me out from day to day.  

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iamdurlin.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamdurlin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamdurlin
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamdurlin
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamdurlin

Image Credits
@nitainnashville – Instagram