We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniel Garvey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Daniel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

So to start off, I would say my answer is pretty unconventional… I really enjoy the idea of being a professional, but also not being financially dependent on my creative pursuits. I feel like a lot of my favorite artists have what really draws me in because of their willingness to just go for it, and pursue whatever interests them most. I find so much validity in that perspective. I really enjoy the freedom of exploration, and that inherently leads to a lot of failure, but a beautiful kind of failure. The kind that grows me the most.

With that said I’ve been pursuing this endeavor since high school, but taking it more seriously since moving into a more permanent location where I have a dedicated space. I had a lot of personal development to face in my younger years, and feel like I’ve finally reached a place where I can really start focusing in.

Daniel, 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?

Well, I got started as a drummer, but I also enjoy recording and working on music for sync licensing or artist projects. I’ve been getting into remote recording recently, but the idea and process of just making music with people in general is exciting. There’s something that happens when things really click and everyone seems to transcend somewhere with a sense of true freedom. That’s what I like to chase! So whether that’s playing drums, or making a track that takes the listener somewhere magical, that’s what I want to do.

Types of problems I can solve for clients… I spend a lot of time honing in the technical skills so that when things start moving there aren’t any distractions from the creative process. I understand how fleeting and important that can be. I’m also really open to try ideas. I feel like a lot of people try a to make a project their own, but I have no ego involved. Anything is a possibility. I’ve seen too many jaded people who get stuck, and I try really hard to be someone who stays very open minded to allow people a sense of artistic security and freedom. Aside from that, I’ve found I really enjoy setting up a sonic landscape for people to work with. Sometimes finding that spark that ignites the process can be challenging, and that’s a service I work on providing as well.

I would say something I’m really proud of isn’t about me, but others. I get really excited that there are so many talented people out there making beautiful things, and I’m really proud of them for having the courage to do it.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Absolutely! There’s this video called “The Gap” by Ira Glass. I don’t wish for things to necessarily to have been different, because I believe the path we end up on is not an accident. But with that said, it’s definitely something I would want to pass on to help other people who struggle with self doubt. It essentially details that everyone feels like they aren’t good enough, but if you know you aren’t, that means you have a sense of taste, and as long as you just keep going and maintain that idea, you’ll get better. I was so obsessed with the comparison of others when I was younger and thought because I wasn’t as amazing as someone else I would never be “good”. That negative ideology is totally a thought disease. That video really put things in to perspective and helped me overcome it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Even though this might be more for people supporting each other in this community, I really buy into the pay it forward ideology. I think one of the best ways to grow the creative ecosystem is to find someone who isn’t as far along as you, that you vibe with, and do things to help them along on their journey. Whether that’s giving some advice, showing some support, giving them gear you don’t use anymore, or just some encouragement. I think that goes a long way in helping people. I know it has for me.

Contact Info:

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• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OceanOaksMusic