We were lucky to catch up with Hendricks recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hendricks, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I am definitely happier now! Before becoming a full-time artist, I worked 9 to 5 for years and every day was a dread. Although working 9 to 5 has awarded me some good tools to use in my creative profession, as far as discipline and structure which is needed to run any successful business, Im grateful for the experience of having a taste of both worlds but I definitely prefer my current profession and I have no intentions on looking back. Its simply where I most thrive and feel like myself. I believe that my responsibility to myself is to truly do what I love and I don’t ,I’m failing myself.
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 started singing in the church, from there I did some local showcases in the city and eventually landed an opportunity with a corporate band that allowed me to travel and perform more frequently, from there, I picked up another band and and another and the rest was history. Currently regular performer throughout the city and Southeast.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I don’t think most non creatives understand the behind the scenes work it takes to make the job look easy. The equipment investments, the rehearsals and vocal health that is required, which means a lot of sleep and rest and sometimes missing special occasions,due to work. I also think that some take for granted that without us, they don’t have a good time.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think more specifically venues should open their budgets up for live music. They make sure to pay everyone else but will drop the ball on entertainment. I also believe that local musicians should stop excepting pennies from these venues. A live band is not cheap and a band should be there to elevate the experience not fully responsible for your crowd.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hendricksnojimi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hendricksnojimi
- Youtube: UCTMyOpTuoDjTQYseLp9Wimw
