We were lucky to catch up with Chris Molinari recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, appreciate you joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

When I was younger, I wanted to become a guitarist that could play any genre, any tempo and write a lot of music that would tastefully utilize that technicality.

Through the years, I have figured out that it’s not quite meant to go like that for me. And for a long time it was a hard thing to accept. Doing Julia Cameron’s “The Artist Way” work has really helped me to accept what I am good at and focus on what I CAN do. I don’t have [Metallica guitarist] James Hetfield’s picking speed, but I have plenty of other skills I bring to the table!

Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been playing music since age 10, and writing music for most of that time. I’ve gone in and out of music making a couple of times over the years, but I’m pretty sure I’m back for good.

I really enjoy playing different styles of music, and I’ve learned not to try to stuff everything I do into my solo work, at least for now. Playing in various bands (like Annie Anna’s) around Tucson is fun and keeps me improving as a player.

For my solo work, right now I am focused on writing, recording, and performing reflective electric guitar music. My goal is to bring my audience into a space to process emotion, with the hopes that listening will bring some peace and clarity to them in whatever they are dealing with. That’s what playing music does for me and I hope it is passed along to the listener.

Though I don’t do any so-called “work” in the area, I do like understanding the creative mind and what can help us creatives better integrate who we are as people. Too many of us suffer from mental health challenges and internal struggles. I’ve found The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron to be the best method to keep me growing and integrating. A lot of my peers have had the same experience through that work.

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

I don’t really think I started developing resilience until recently. Doing The Artist’s Way work has afforded me that chance to get to know the resilient side of myself. I have struggled with mental health issues most of my life, and mostly let them act as a governor (as in, a speed limiter in a car) that kept my life from moving forward, or in a direction that my desires and reality could agree on.

But all of a sudden, through this work, therapy, and leaning more on others in the right way, I’m finding I don’t give up as easily. Projects don’t get stopped midway through. There is a confidence to say what needs to be said, with less apprehension. With a little luck and grace, that will hopefully continue.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Creatives and thinkers look inward. They have to deal with themselves more directly than those without the same inclinations. They also assess the landscape in society and culture and see where it’s been and where it’s moving. We are the people who make sense of things. Our art reflects that. It either elucidates or refines our observations, often both.

Because we make a sense of these inner and outer worlds, and present our findings to others, we help move society and individuals forward in numerous ways. We make sense of the past, and make a more bearable and interesting, maybe even enjoyable, now.

Contact Info:

• Website: chrismolinari.com
• Instagram: @chrismolinarimusic
• Youtube: @chrismolinarimusic
• Bandcamp: chrismolinari.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
First photo: Andera Moon Photography All other photos: Lucas Walker (Skywalker Foto)