We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Don Slepian a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Don, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents let me persue my interests even though they differed from theirs. Starting at age 7 my favorite treat was to be taken to the local dump by my parents where I would sort through mounds of garbage to find broken televisions, radios, and anything electronic. I would load a few broken treasures into the back of the station wagon and then take them one by one to a room I had in the basement of our house. My father let me use his workbench. I would take apart the televisions and sort the parts into bins. Then I would make my own things out of the parts. I would light up the tubes, I would use the little loudspeakers to make noise machines. My father told me what parts were dangerous and taught me things so that I wouldn’t hurt myself. When I was 10 I built my first synthesizer out of slot car motors and old radio loudspeakers. Nothing made me happier than making something new out of old discarded things.
The freedom to be myself and follow my own interests changed my life for the better.
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 am a computer music instrument builder and electronic keyboard concert artist. You can see some pictures at http://DonSlepian.com and hear my music and see my video art on YouTube. In 1980 I released a piece of music I produced as Artist In Residence at Bell Telephone Labs entitled “Sea of Bliss” that started a style of music came to be called “Ambient Electronica”. Currently I perform concerts drawing from both classical and jazz styles using an instrument of my own design. My interest is in expanding the sonic possibilities available to the keyboard soloist.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me it is finding “my tribe”, the community of artists that understand who I am and what I do. It validates my work and makes me feel that the struggle is worthwhile. I also am always learning from other artists.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect is feeling that you have left the world a better place. To be an inspiration to others is the highest honor. To lead people as a group to transcend ordinary existence through the power of music.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/don_slepian/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.slepian
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donslepian/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLK6XlUCqKJwfSyiRwPcSGw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/don-slepian
