We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Britt Dignan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Britt below.
Britt, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Ah, yes…that question is ever present in my mind, almost daily. Truth is, being a full time artist/musician is not for the faint of heart. You have to wear many hats to be successful and what is successful as an artist you may ask? Well, I believe the meaning of being “successful” will vary with each artist you ask. For me personally, being able to do what I love and take care of my family is what matters most. I was never really one to want the bright lights and super fame, that life really doesn’t seem appealing to me. I just want to make a comfortable living from my art and be happy in doing so. Do I ever wonder what it would be like with a so called “regular” job? Absolutely…every day! The struggle is real as a self employed musician. The ups and downs, the self doubt, the financial struggles, late nights, long trips, vocal issues, exhaustion and the constant need to do better and sell yourself to new venues and opportunities at most times can be very overwhelming. I have worked many jobs in my life but have been lucky enough to do mainly music full time for just under 20 years and have somehow by the grace of God been able to support a family of 6. Sometimes I can’t help but feel like a “regular” job would be easier on my family and I, as well as more financially stable at the moment. Especially after the past couple years…which were hard on everyone but the entertainment industry was hit very hard. I think it’s human nature to always wonder what else could I be doing? Is there something better? Especially, if you’ve been working the same job day in day out for 20 years. Being an artist is a gamble, sometimes your so close to reaching where you need to be only to fall back 3 steps and have to start all over again. But the God given gift to be able to live life as an artist, is what continues to push me to overcome anything thrown my way. Yes, I could hang up my guitar and get a nice job somewhere with all the perks of that life but after 20 years there will I wonder the same thing? I love and at times hate what I do but as of right now I am here and I’m going to keep grinding until I can’t do it anymore.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am full time musician/singer-songwriter. My musical journey started at a very young age with very supportive parents as my Father, all though having polio was an accomplished musician/pastor himself and my mother having a knack for writing which definitely helped shape me as a young artist. I cut my teeth starting on the drums from there I went to Alto, Tener and Baritone saxophone and played those through out Jr. High involved in band and Jazz band. I picked up a guitar and bass shortly after my freshmen year of high school and it all just blossomed from there. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe I started writing my first songs around the same time. Fast forward many years later and I’m a Father of 4 boys 8, 6, 4 & 1 and married to my wonderful wife of 9 years based just outside of Nashville, TN in Clarksville, TN. I have been a touring musician for just shy of 20 years and play all throughout the Midwest/South Eastern part of the country. Being a student of Jam bands and singer-songwriters you can expect to hear a plethora of different styles of music at my shows and I pride myself on being an every person’s musician as I play pretty much everything. My original music is very lyrical based as I’m a sucker for meaningful lyrics and anything acoustic. I feel what sets me a apart from most other artists is my shows are never the same, I try and keep it fresh and very improv focused. I play every song different at each show drawing from my jam band influences of The Grateful Dead, Phish and The Dave Matthews band to name a few. Some other artists that influence me as well are: Gregory Alan Isakov, Tyler Childers, Jeffery Foucault, Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams and Ray Lamontagne. Come on out to a show sometime and see for yourself!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think with some people there is this big misconception with musicians, that is some people think we have it easy since we don’t have a 9-5 job or have to report to a boss or hit a certain amount of sales a month. In all reality, it could not be further from the truth. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t see. Being a self-employed musician requires hard work and dedication to yourself and your craft. Essentially you have to be an artist, booking agent, social media creator, manager, book keeper, tour manager, graphic designer and website developer too name a few. There is no punch in, punch out…we are on call at all times of the day/night. I couldn’t even express the amount of times I’ve booked shows at 2am and if you miss that email, text or call, you lose that show. Our work comes home with us and it’s an all day thing. As with any job, burnout is a real big hurtle as an artist. Playing close to 300 shows a year on top of all the behind the scenes work can be exhausting but in my opinion it’s worth it….it’s what’s made me who I am today. If I was to quit right now, my resume would be extensive with everything I’ve learned and had to accomplish on my own for the most part. In this day and age, what is a regular job anyways? As long as money is coming in and your staying busy, I think that’s all we can ask for.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being able to overcome your failures time and time again and learn what does and does not work. Constantly battling one’s self and rising up to the challenge of creating and recreating your work until you are happy with your creation. Striving to always one up yourself and roll with the punches that come from being in the music industry. Setting a goal and making your own path to get there. Creating something from nothing and releasing that into the world…these are the reasons I do what I do and what is most rewarding in my eyes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brittdignamusic.
com - Instagram: @brittdignan
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/
brittdignanmusic - Twitter: www.twitter.com/
britt_dignan - Youtube: www.YouTube.com/
brittdignanmusic