We recently connected with Krisana Soponpong and have shared our conversation below.

Krisana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

My first major experience of earning money as a musician didn’t have a first instance or moment, but I’d like to take the experience memory back before the different stages of what we might call success. The name of the band was Black Taxi and were an Indie Rock band in NYC during the early 2000s. In the beginning, it can be a struggle where venues might not be concerned about the kind of music, as there are usually audience thresholds – can your band promote and bring 20+ people. to the gig. Since we were a band of four, it was up to us to try and bring 5 people each. It can be a hustle, but those were days where motivation meets energy.

I think the first major moments of becoming a “professional” is when nonfriends and family started attending shows, and a major milestone was selling out one of our favorite venues, Mercury Lounge. It was a culmination of several years of work of being in a self-sustaining band, working on our set, performing as well as we could with our original music.

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.

First and foremost, I am a bass player who has decades of experience in original songwriting, touring, and producing original music. I pride myself on being a collaborator and knowing what it takes for a band to go from zero fans to local, regional and national success. I have toured across the US several times with festivals at SXSW, Mountain Jam, Isle of Light Festival in the Dominican Republic. I have been a founding member in such indie bands as Black Taxi, Midnight Machine, Rikshaw N’ the Ruckus, and Bittersweet Descent.

From decades of being in bands, I realize that you have to treat your band as a brand and treat it like a small business. Not only do you have to create great music, but cultivate a memorable experience and create a sense of professionalism to fans, sound engineers, bartenders, booking agents, and venue owners. Word travels fast if you behave or not!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I would say as a musician and creator, you can really lean to be your own version of yourself. Instead of building an image, it’s more like a sculpture, tearing and shedding what you are not. People appreciate authenticity, and sooner or later will smell B.S. What is your intent of creating music/art? What is your message? Why? This is the essense of any creative communication.

As a creative growing up, I felt like an alien and stuck out in weird, embarrassing ways. I just realized I need to find like-minded people who were into music the way I was. The more I have become, the more people can recognize authentiticy. It’s also an ever-evolving process. It’s lifelong.

Never stop exploring!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

That’s a complicated question. I would say the healthiest cities have a good number of people who have the resources to live and create art while earning an income. NYC used to have neighborhoods where you could live cheaply while having time and space to network with other artists and make the art you want. With social media and technology, it’s helpful to show your work, but it takes a bit of time to cultivate your voice and have the patience to wait until you’re ready. Before the explosion of social media, you could rely on word of mouth and have time to refine.

That being said, artists must be a Jack or Jane of all trades, and to become or stay relevant in the conversation. I’m old school, I believe it’s still really important to go to local shows, art gallery showings, and invite people for coffee. Physically showing matters, and if you can do that for artists you like, it can go a long way..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://substack.com/@thehardresetpod
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksoponpong/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryLV1l1cTWw
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAHBpkYGdfY
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oigWE9v6tXw