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

Hi Carmen, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

There’s definitely been times throughout my career wiith some of my work being misunderstood. And in truth, there’s also been moments where I haven’t shied away from voicing an opinion, and you have to expect that some people won’t agree. But a song like, Unreasonable Force, in particular the video gets a lot of blow back. People don’t realize that that’s not taking a political position. That’s just reporting truth as it happened.

I’ve learned over the years to just let things go and understand where people’s positions are coming from, and not to take any of it with much weight. As you get older and as you become more comfortable in your skin and who you are as a person, I think it’s much easier to tune out the noise and just focus on mastering your craft and life.

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 artist, musician and producer from New Jersey/New York who’s best know for my work as Wiser Time. I also help distribute music digitally with Mick Wainman and his company Digital Music Marketing.

The music business was changing quickly when I was entering it. You have to remember, this was the beginning of social media, digital downloading, Napster, etc. There was a real attraction and unique creativity to things back then because it was all new, and we were kind of building the bricks for a what was to come.

I think I’m most proud musically, that I’ve always stayed true to the craft and that I never shied away from my “Folk” tradition. Sometimes using the music as a communication tool for something other than entertainment. You just continue to grow and learn

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

We’re all raised by our caretakers and influenced by our environment and how we were nurtured. I think it’s good to examine and explore some of those things and how our beliefs were formed. It’s like deconstructing one’s self and trying to rebuild with just the good qualities and the wisdom

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

It has to do what it always has done…. just support it! In whatever ways you choose. Go to a show, buy a shirt, visit an exhibit, or turn on a friend, but just do it. Any community is formed because it has some kind of symbiosis.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wisertimemusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisertimemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiserTimeMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/wisertimemusic

Image Credits

Scott Lukacs
Arlan Feiles
Sandra Maxim
Steve Decker