We were lucky to catch up with Daniel Stewart recently and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I was a senior in high school. I had recently purchased a karaoke machine and I had just started creating original songs. So, the people I would feel comfortable with, I would let those people hear what I was creating. Back then it was tapes lol After I would record my lead vocals and Dubs by switching the tapes back and forth it would sound staticky but I was so excited that I would still let people hear. When the rappers of the neighborhood found out that I could sing, they would start asking me to get on their songs and thats how I started making a name for my self in the community. One of my classmates in high school had connections with a major record company so he told me to come by one day and I was able to record my first song in a professional studio.
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?
I run a multi-media creative production company: DSYD Music | Films | Photography | literature. I have over 20 years in the music industry. From performing for 4 or 5 people in an audience to thousands. From going to school for music to taking a break from school, then 5 years later realizing I want to go back to school for film because I felt I knew about music But didn’t know much about filmmaking. Before I graduated I released my first children’s book and I was able to shoot the short film based on the book “Im not too small” because I was in film school with a community of filmmakers. Since then, I have released several films and children’s books.
I provide services as a songwriter/producer, whether its for a full length song or a short jingle Ad for a business. I provide visuals like music videos, short films, and commercials for businesses. I also provide professional headshots and portraits. I provide high quality children’s content: children’s books, short films, kids music, and tv shows. I provide a lot of services in house so clients don’t have to go far for their production needs.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I remember when I first started singing and was number 17 at an open mic. All artist had the choice to sing 2 songs. The house was completely full but when my time finally came everyone had left except for about 4 people because the supporters that were there were leaving right after their artist performed. I had a choice to leave or stay and perform. I felt in my heart that was a defining moment whether I would be a finisher or start a pattern of quitting. The MC asked me if I still wanted to go on and I paused for a moment, looked around and said yes. I sung my little heart out and after that, I could see on the faces of the people that stayed, that they respected me. I look back now and can see that I’m a finisher no matter what it looks like. Whether 1 person is in the audience or 2,500 I have a responsibility to move forward and not let discouragement push me back.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
The way society can best help support creatives is a tough question because there are many ways to look at this and many factors. First I will look at the artist. The creative person has to go through the developmental process. That comes from experience and the difficulties we go through that make us better. Also, we must put out our best work that also comes from experience. Secondly I speak to the family and friends. We have to get to a place where we support one another. It really does take a village:) It doesn’t always take money to support but a simple share, like, comment or new subscriber can go a long way. There have been many times where I have asked people to share something but it seems to not connect with my audience. This is called pitch fatigue, where they see your stuff so much they they kind of zone out. This brings me to my third point which is expand your audience. Society will support, but you have to tap in. Be consistent. Keep creating and do it from a place of just having a love for the content you make, but not to just get something from someone. Ultimately the creative Ecosystem that we are living in today is 1 where the artist creates, he/she gives it out to the world and community and they give back. But at the end of the day it’s their choice how they want to give back lol
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youngdecent.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngdecent/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungDecent/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/YoungDecent1/playlists
- Other: https://dsydfilms.myportfolio.com https://dsydphotography.myportfolio.com https://dsydbooks.myportfolio.com https://dsydmusic.myportfolio.com