Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deion Lanthier. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Deion, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first time my business, Runic Music Studio, was paid was definitely exciting and gave me a huge confidence boost. Someone had enough faith in me to give me their money for bringing their music to life. It let me know that I was on the right track.
It was a former bandmate and friend of mine that offered me the work. He was starting his new project, Hollow Outcomes, and wanted to get the music on canvas. So, he came to me to produce their debut single “Become Of Me.” He was so excited about the way it came out. And with it being the first track that I produced from start to finish, I was ecstatic to see his satisfaction. The feeling of helping someone bring their artistic vision to fruition is a unique high. It makes you feel good that they feel good, and it feels good to know that you possess the skill to provide that to another person. It certainly goes above simply selling someone a product. It’s more personal than that.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a guitarist in the Lafayette, LA hard rock/alt metal band, We All Perish. I produce rock & metal with my business Runic Music Studio.
I first picked up a guitar almost two decades ago. Believe it or not, Guitar Hero was what made me want to give it a try. I fell in love with it immediately. There was just something about having that creative outlet that clicked in my brain and immediately improved my life, looking back on it. Not long after that, I was learning how to both sing and do aggressive vocals, as well as dabbled in a couple other instruments; but guitar and vocals are where my love lies.
It wasn’t until I started my former band, Endure The Affliction, and started spending time in the studio that I realized I had an interest in the production side. Our producer, Marcus Noel, was very helpful in teaching me a few things here and there whenever we’d go in to record. A few years later, I told him that I was in the process of educating myself in music production and he shared plenty of knowledge with me to help get me going.
Once I felt confident enough to put myself out there, I started Runic Music Studio.
Now, I’m not a big operation. I don’t have some state-of-the-art studio. My whole goal has been to provide musicians at the local level high quality music production services at a low price. A lot of the local guys don’t have a ton of money. I know too many bands, young ones especially, that have not released any music simply because they can’t afford the costs associated with recording. It’s my aim to get them heard and see that same excitement on their faces that was on mine the first time I heard playback of one of my songs fully produced. That’s a life-changing feeling that I believe every musician should have the chance to experience.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of both creating music and producing music is the effect that you have on others. Whether it be the messaging of my own music or providing musicians without much disposable income a path to get their music produced, it’s the positive impact that makes it all worthwhile.
Knowing that I made someone’s life better with the skills I possess is a great feeling. Like, I’m playing a positive role in society while being a productive member of it. That’s what it’s all about.

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.

Absolutely. Non-creatives don’t seem to pick up on the fact that artists cannot exist without an audience that is willing to participate. There must be a symbiotic relationship between artists and audience. Otherwise, the art will simply go away. The value of art as a whole is completely dependent upon how much importance society places on it, but our society these days seems to have drifted away from involving themselves with it. Whether it be visual art or music. And because of that, less and less people seem to want to actually BE creatives.
So, hey folks, Attend that local band’s show. Go check out that art gallery. Go watch that small film company’s movie screening. We can’t do anything without y’all.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weallperish/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weallperish
• Other: https://runicmusicstudio.com/
  https://www.facebook.com/runicmusicstudio/

Image Credits

Ragin’ Imaging Photography (Personal Photo & Image 1)
Sarah Bellomy Photography (Images 5 -7)