We were lucky to catch up with Brandon Baumann recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Brandon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

My entire career has been built on risk. Putting yourself out there is an essential component to cultivating relationships and success, not only in the music and creative artistic world, but in all businesses. It requires networking. It requires stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting new people. Trusting in your skills and being frosty with a game plan, detailed vision and flexible parameters on how to achieve those goals, are essential. Going “all in” and betting on yourself, and doing whatever it takes to make the goals in your mind come to life and serve the purpose — that’s the risk worth taking. These tasks sound straightforward, but they are paramount puzzle pieces that must be placed along the journey. Building brick by brick is truly the only way.

Risk is that crucial component. I’m not necessarily talking about taking a blind risk without any prep or research, but more overly, risk the feeling of being uncomfortable. Risk betting on an uncertain future. Risk not having a perfect backup plan. Risk being able to bet on yourself because you BELIEVE in the greater vision, the bigger picture of all that’s possible. Life is meant for living, so insecurities be damned, just go for it.

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 an artistic lifer — a dedicated singer who is committed to the craft and genuinely loves the power of the human voice, a songwriter who is inspired to aim high and add quality contributions into the conversation, and, a voice actor who relishes the opportunity to passionately embrace the nuance of his voice and character. My mentality is all about relentless commitment to contribution — always aiming to improve, grow, and inspire with every subsequent creation, release, project, or collaboration.

At this stage of my career I feel I’ve a firm grasp on what I stand for, where I aim, and what I know I’m capable of achieving. Spreading kindness is an important component for me, as is integrity, because regardless of if I’m creating for myself or for others, upholding those values, and bringing my authentic self to the opportunity at hand is essential. I’ve learned through my 20 plus years of recording, releasing music, playing shows, and interacting, that there’s nothing more important than doing just that — being yourself. And, if one works hard at trying to improve upon whatever that authentic version truly is, with true consistency, focus and patience, then you cannot fail. Trying to be anything but that has fiasco written all over it.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can best support artistry by putting their money where their mouth is and purchase music and goods directly from the artist. Streaming is essentially theft from the artist; I’ve watched peers and friends go from a sustainable income to being decimated by the tilted scales. The game has changed drastically. The current system touts equal access, but not equal consumption. Perception is not reality, not by a long shot. Personal recommendations are the strongest thing to build trust and connection with a new potential supporter. So, if you like something, tell your friends! Buy a t-shirt from their website. Want to do something powerful that costs absolutely nothing? Re-share their posts on social media and spread the word. While these seem like simple, minute things, they add up greatly, and inch closer to the possibility of tremendous impact. I will take a suggestion from someone I care about to heart much more quickly than a bought-and-paid-for advertisement, every time. To support the art that enriches our lives is a vow of commitment to wanting that art to continue to exist, grow, and thrive for years to come.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I am the story of resilience; I’m still here. This journey is a continued story of resilience, defying the odds, and rolling that stone up the mountain, step by step. I am ever growing, learning, evolving, and improving — offering my best self with every new project, song, and opportunity. Genuine relationship building and surrounding yourself with the right likeminded energies while weeding out the bad actors is a full time gig.

There have been times that look like the best option is to hang it up, but I always circled back to the “NOT IN THIS LIFETIME” response. This is in my blood. This is my calling. This is that which satisfies the inner sanctum of my soul. The ability to create something from nothing other than an idea and bring it to life is truly miraculous in my eyes. Artists tend to get a bad rap these days, when the truth is, they’re some of the most genuine and connected individuals around.

To give a specific example of resilience, it was probably 10 years ago when my interest was truly piqued about getting involved in the world of Voice Acting. I had an opportunity come by happenstance through a relationship in the music community, and after doing the job, the feedback I received was extremely encouraging. Not wanting to squander a new avenue for artistic expression, I took a risk to immerse myself in that world, en tandem with my musical pursuits. I dug deep into private instruction, workshops, networking, reading as many books and as much information as I could consume, all in the name of leveling up, learning, and growing. With every teachable moment came growth. That initial risk — the investment of my time, energy, focus, and finances — forced my hand to set up my own home recording studio, and that’s now the competitive standard in the voice over world. I am grateful for the challenge, and it’s something I aim to work on and improve upon daily.

Because of this tenacity and belief that I am capable and worthy of success in VO realm, I haven’t stopped the pursuit for a moment, now many years into the journey. I am grateful to have an ever-evolving resume of great clients that I’ve been fortunate enough to lend my voice to their products and projects. Some recent standouts are:

A national radio spot for Samsung, an international performance for a Suntory campaign, being featured in a game segment for the revolutionary PUTTR putting system, as well as a bevy of digital commercials / advertisement for brands like Coca Cola, Coors, McDonald’s, and The North Face. I am grateful for every single project and will always put my best self, attitude, and skills into each new opportunity, for it’s my duty to thrive, shine bright, and leave the client feeling excited about their decision to bring me on board.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BrandonBaumann.com
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/b.r.a.n.d.o.n.b
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandonBaumannMusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_BrandonBaumann
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/BrandonBaumann

Image Credits
Nick Simile // similephotography.com Adriana Torres // fotosbyadriana.com