Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carmen Sclafani. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carmen, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I’ve always been creative since I was a child and actively explored it. Whether it’s design projects, music, writing, producing a record, or landscaping my yard, I’m always in motion and it’s still a continuing process.
I can’t really say what I may have done differently. We all have our own unique circumstances and paths, but I think the things that help speed the learning process are our own willingness to pursue things and our experiences that shape our views. Life is filled with obstacles, but those are also learning experiences of a different kind
Carmen, 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’m a renaissance man, in truth. You might know my music and songwriting as Wiser Time, I may have played on or wrote your song, produced your record, designed your logo, album cover or concert poster, worked with you on a film or music event, or digitally distribute your music with my partner Digital Music Marketing/Wiser Time Music.
It’s all about positive, creative energy and moving things forward.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Creatively in my life, I think I just want to explore as much as I can and nurture it no matter what the project is. My work in Wiser Time is much more focused and goal driven. When I first started performing and releasing albums as WT in 2001, the music landscape was very different, and I wanted to point back to rock n roll and blues sounds, and a different style that was going on at the time. I was deliberately producing art and writing music that felt like it came from a different era. It evolved over time the further back I went and the deeper I went into the American experience. I really have embraced the importance and tradition of the song and the troubadour, and Wiser Time is my musical “On The Road.” There’s some great stories and songs in there, but there’s an entire flow and depth to it if you follow the entire body.
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 that there’s a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to creatives or how we sometimes perceive others and ourselves in those terms. There’s an art in everything. It may not always be in a song or a painting, but there is an art to mastering something. I think that we most often associate “creatives” as artists or musicians or writers, and with obvious reason, and those people are often a little left of center or eccentric.
For me, I think it’s hard for some people to understand why I pursue art and the challenges that path can bring, rather than pursuing “stuff” or the traditional family building model.
Let’s use sports as an analogy. We often talk about certain athletes like Tom Brady or Michael Jordan are so consumed with winning that that becomes the single-minded focus above all else. It literally kills them to lose, and they have to train and practice and watch film all day long. Completely enchenched and unmoved. That’s how I feel about creativity
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wisertimemusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisertimemusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiserTimeMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/wisertimemusic
- Other: https://wtmlabel.com
Image Credits
Ed Pampani Andrew Orth Joseph Graziano Jimmy Somma Ben Vonk Steve Decker