Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emilia Garth. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Emilia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
A few years ago, working as an audiovisual translator for a production company, I was on the verge of burnout. My job required me to spend long hours in a cold, dark room, staring at a screen with headphones on with multiple languages streaming through my ears.
As someone who grew up without watching T.V. and whom, as an adult has never had a T.V., I realized that I was in the wrong business. I had a quarter-life crisis and got a one-way to India where I studied yoga and meditation.
After deep reflection, I realized that life can be short and it was time to go for my dream of singing. If it didn’t work out, I could always go back to something in the translation field.
For the first few months, I struggled, and to be honest, it hasn’t been easy. Because singing is something that I love, it doesn’t feel like work. Initially, that made it difficult to set rates for my performances and I would sometimes feel guilty. I realized I had been conditioned to believe that work equated doing something I didn’t like, and therefore I needed to be compensated financially.
In actuality, work can be something that you love doing, that is providing a valuable service and therefore you deserve to be compensated financially.
Viewing music as a service, just as providing legal advice, personal training, architectural services, etc. helped me understand the value in it and in myself as a service provider. I feel fortunate to do what I love (sing) as a profession. As a bonus, the music my songs are relaxing and soothing. In a world that’s on fast-forward in every way, I offer an opportunity to de-stress and unwind.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As a singer and event producer, my intention is to bring more peace, presence and joy into each moment. My songs and events are my discreet, guerilla tactics to combat stress and overwhelm in this wild world. You can find me singing at international wellness festivals (Art With Me, Bali Spirit Fest, etc.), Yoga and wellness retreats (often in Mexico), and producing local mindful music events and retreats.
I launched my first brand, Kanikapila Miami, in 2021. Inspired by my Hawaiian lineage and experience living in Argentina and Brazil and Miami. Kanikapila is a Hawaiian tradition consisting of a multi-generational jam session that will often end up with aunties, tutus (grandparents) and keiki (children) dancing hula. At Kanikapila Miami events, live music is the focal point and all generations are welcome. Rather than alcoholic beverages, we offer ceremonial cacao, kombucha, and coconut water. We encourage audience participation and take sustainability into great consideration.
Our first event was in a yoga space in South Beach and only 3 people came. Since then, Kanikapila Miami has expanded across the tri-county area and we held a full-fledged 2- day festival at the legendary venue H’Om.
A few years ago, I began releasing my original music on streaming platforms, and currently have 13 singles in 5 different languages. Some songs are mantras, others are ancestral medicine songs from across the globe. Each song is uplifting, and a great way to start your day. I also have meditations on Insight Timer and YouTube. I once heard a speech by Lex Brown that inspired me to bring all of my creative visions to life, moving past self-judgement. You never know who you’re going to inspire or who’s day you can improve with your art.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is knowing that my work has a positive impact and that it will live on beyond my existence. I was once told that we don’t only die when our breath leaves our body and our heart ceases to function. We die again when our name is spoken for the last time… Understanding that we won’t be around forever, I feel that the best we can do is make the greatest positive impact while we are here. For me, that comes in the form of music and meditations. My songs and recorded meditations will live far beyond my lifespan. That brings a sense of purpose to my days.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Believe it or not, I used to sing Deep House music (think “Do You Think You’re Better Off Alone” live in a nightclub). I even performed at Ultra Music Fest 2 years in a row. While I loved the excitement and energy of the clubs, I arrived at point in my life that I realized it wasn’t a sustainable lifestyle for me in the long term. At that same time, I was deeply into yoga and yogic philosophy and had started sitting in plant medicine circles. I began the pivot by at first singing lyrics of the plant medicine traditions with electronic beats. It was an interesting sensation to sing these sacred lyrics in the night club, but I felt more aligned singing them than empty words of pop songs. I began receiving invitations to sing at wellness and yoga events and finally transitioned completely out of the electronic music world. This pivot was challenging because for years, my life revolved around the nightclubs and nightlife.
Now, I’m in bed by 11pm and don’t feel any fomo.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emiliagarth.com
- Instagram: @emilia_garth
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilia-garth-0b4457103/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmiliaGarth