We were lucky to catch up with Brent Nuffer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brent, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
Early one morning, oh I’d say around 2005, my band Studiotone was on the road I believe near the border of Indiana. We had a string of shows, I recall feeling a bit worn but uplifted and we were eager for the continental breakfast at early rise check out, as all young hungry bands must do and feel. As we nibbled intently in an exhausted manner on stale coffee cake and sipped weak coffee we felt content in that moment. Typically, in situations like this the conversation can jump in many unexpected directions with youthful energy as the fuel. We were discussing some friends of ours who were in a fellow band who recently had their van broken while on the road. Mid conversation, Bryan our guitar player abruptly headed out to retrieve something from the van. Upon his return, he blurted out “You guys aren’t going to believe this!” He informed us that our van had just been broken into & chances are the rockandroll thieves were already speeding across the border. As we raced out to the parking lot one by one like ants to sugar, we discovered what we thought was a joke, was true. All of the equipment was gone, and even a few pieces luggage & my flip flops. I haven’t worn flip flops since. What was left was a burning cigarette left in the front seat. One of the items that was missing was my first real guitar. Naturally it meant every to me and was probably the other thing of some value that I owned at the time. I was heartbroken. Fast forward to a few months and word had gotten out that we had fallen victim to the rockandroll stealers of dreams! I had a new friend who would frequent our shows & was a big supporter of the local Music scene. One night after a show, she took me aside & said “I heard about what happened. Don’t worry, I want you to go into a Music Store tomorrow & pick out whatever you’d like. Cost is of no concern.” I do believe my heart skipped a few beats, and couldn’t believe something like this was happening to me. I’d had my heart set on a certain guitar for a long time, but couldn’t imagine the opportunity to actually own it would come anytime soon. She firmly laid out the specifics of the deal and I will never forget them. She said, “You have to promise you’ll write good songs on it & take it places.” I can only hope I’ve made could on the promise. To this day it is still my main guitar, I’ve written 7 records on it & likely close to a few hundred songs on it. Maybe a few good ones in the bunch. I don’t think that act of Kindness has been topped to date. What Lori gave me what not just a guitar, some wood and strings. She gave me freedom, a voice and a way out. I will forever be grateful.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey began in Michigan as a Songwriter/Musician/Artist. An Artist as early as I can remember, drawing on whatever was around, the kitchen table, the bedroom wall, my siblings, or my hand. Whatever was around with a clear canvas. I’ve been putting out records as a solo Artist (ArthurAutumn) or with bands I’ve been in (BARBARIAN OVERLORDS, Studiotone) pretty solid since 2001. With 7 full lengths to date, I’m somewhat feeling the itch to record again, with a stockpile of songs written during the peak of the pandemic. To me, being an Artist, or calling yourself an “Artist” comes with a great responsibility. A responsibility to reflect upon the World around us and do what we can to create a more positive conversation with what we see and feel. I firmly believe it comes with the Gig, and helping others have a voice as well in the process of it all, as you go along. After years of putting out records and doing the constant rotating cycle that comes with, performing, interviews, collaborations etc., I felt a need to shift gears. I also felt as though I finally had an ounce of wisdom I may be able to share with others who may need. In early 2022 I found what we call the ELECTRIC MOON Foundation. Our mission is to deliver the healing energy that Music & the Arts can deliver, through Music Lessons, Instruments, Summers Camps, Performances, Mentoring & other trauma related therapies that use the arts as a form of healing. As a human that was literally saved by Rock N’ Roll, I wanted to make sure that other Kids have the same opportunities to be reached. I struggled coming up in many areas and Music helped give me a voice, direction and a sense of self worth. Over the past year we’ve been able to put on Music Camps at Alexandria House and Casa Esperanza here in Los Angeles, and have visited area High Schools and Charter Schools to perform and speak on the importance of Music Education. We’ve been able to team up with The Killers, Charitybuzz an online auction service, Guitar Center Music Foundation and so many more that have helped bring our vision to life and have assisted us in reaching our youth. We are so honored and grateful to work with these amazing kids who may not otherwise have access to Music & the Arts. We’ve written songs filled with the message of diversity, empowerment and encouragement and they inspire us greatly. This spring we performed The Story of Ben-G The Bumble Bee for our community, a short play I wrote with the Kids @ Alexandria House. To learn more about our work @ ELECTRIC MOON Foundation : https://electricmoon.nationbuilder.com/donate
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I firmly believe that Music & Art programs are essential in the upbringing of our youth. Learning about Music & the Arts is so important, and within the creative process we are able to work through things inside of us that we may not otherwise have access to. Music & the Arts have a unique way of allowing us to heal from past trauma and in turn what we create can then help others in the process. It makes for a unique experience that no other occupation can do. Music is a universal language we all can understand and feel. I am very grateful to have these gifts and to share in this conversation. It is very important that Music & the Arts are represented in our Schools, they are just as vital as athletics and sometimes the values run parallel. I think as a culture in general we should focus on shining a light on Artists and appreciate them much more than we do. It’s safe to say that we all enjoy the Arts in some way throughout our day. Whether it’s listening to a song on the radio, admiring architecture, listening to a kids show theme song, playing a video game and on and on and on. Many many years ago Musicians, Artists, Poets were treated as royalty within their communities. Here at the ELECTRIC MOON Foundation we work very hard to shine a light on the Arts and lift them up where ever we can. One of the ways we do that is through The Sunday Night Revue a residency we have at the Legendary Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. We bring some of the finest Songwriters together to interpret an Iconic Artist every 3rd Sunday. Our next TSNR is June 18th & we’ll be Celebrating the Music of 80’s! Our goal is to shine a light on the local talent we have here and to build a supportive Music Community. We can all lift up our communities by going to live performances, purchasing the Art you enjoy and buying the Music that you hear.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I think the most rewarding aspect of being an Artist is the actual act of being able to do it, but then then also the opportunity to share it with others who may need it. In that hour or hour and a half or whatever an audience can forget about their troubles and be one with a community of others all experiencing the same thing at the same time. I couldn’t be more grateful to be at a point in my life, with enough experience and knowledge to be able to share the gifts of Music & the Arts with kids who may be feeling lost, alone or afraid. We are passionate at ELECTRIC MOON Foundation about making it a much easier path for these kids than it was for us, and to let them know that Music can be a refuge, a place you can go to feel safe. The reward is justing watching these kids sing, dance, feel alive and be who they want to be and feel loved! Our youth have to endure so much more now than what we had to, that’s sad, because we thought we had it rough! Once the work is done, it’s no longer ours, it has a life of its own beyond us, to live on and grow where it needs to go. There are many rewards in being a Musician or Artist, but like many earned rewards it also comes with a great deal of hard work, successes, failures, sacrifices, fun, heartache and enough emotions to fill a stadium where you Music may one day be heard. Sometimes it’s the scars that are the rewards, they let us know what it took to get there, and that we are stronger than before that scar existed. Within each scar there is a story, and each one counts. In my life, I needed all of those heartaches, all the bullying, all the pain and confusion to be able to do what I do today. Without it, I would not be able to do it, too deeply understand the human condition. There are two types of pain. One you can make work for you, and one you can make work against you. Choose the one that works for you, that’s where your reward is. In many ways your pain is your reward, because out of that pain, that crack in the cement, that’s how and where the flower grows.
Contact Info:
- Website: electricmoon.org
- Instagram: electricmoon.foundation
- Facebook: facebook.com/electricmoon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcFWxfxX32c&t=4s
Image Credits
Jasmine Day The Killers Management Amy Paffrath