We were lucky to catch up with Saint Lydia recently and have shared our conversation below.
Saint Lydia, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
A lot of people misunderstand me from the inside out or vice versa. They either judge me from the outside in or they get to know me first before judging me, either way, a judgement is still occurred. A lot of people see my hair and my tattoos and think I’m a bad person. I’m not a bad person. I’d say I’m just a unique individual. I grew up in a Christian household being a black sheep but ended up being the golden child with my accomplishments in my communities and within my life. Going to church, there was always a mold where I thought I had to be good enough and act like other people. It’s the same concept everywhere though, in any industry and in any place you’ll go. You stand out by being yourself. Just be yourself because eventually if you act like everybody else, you’ll be boring and you’ll feel burnt out trying to be like everyone. Everybody wants an original take, but when it’s a new sound or style, people aren’t used to it. That’s why most judge. Not until people adapt to the environment and energy you give.
Lydia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a barber, I cut hair. I’ve been doing this for 3.5 years. It will be my first year as a registered licensed barber. I’ve always loved styling hair playing with my brother’s hair all the time and eventually started cutting my classmates hair. I love it a lot but I don’t think I want to do it full time for long term. I definitely want to consider long term but full time is an understatement. I also work for the City of Saint Paul as a Lead Lifeguard. I want to expand my career with the City of Saint Paul to be a manager in the summertime but I have my barbering business going on and I won’t have the time to be as lenient as the position I’m currently working. Maybe in 2-4 years though when I’ve built my clientele barbering where I can be more easygoing with my schedule. Lastly, I also do music, I have a real big passion for music. It’s my creative side and I’d definitely be doing it full time if money was not an issue. But I believe doing all that I do, KEEPS me creative to pour into my lyrics and music. I make a variety type of music, pop, r&b, trap soul, hip hop. I go by Saint Lydia or St. Lydia. I scaled up with that name my senior year in high school and just stuck with it as my artist name. I’m no Saint at all but I live in Saint Paul so hey I’d say it all makes sense. I wasn’t born and raised in Saint Paul, MN, I was actually born in Grosse Pointe, MI, grew up in Detroit, MI, moved to Saint Paul, MN summer of 2012. And now I’m 20 years old thriving here in St. Paul, MN! Other than that, I have hopes to travel around the states to network with other artists and such with my music career.
People tell me to stick to one thing. Not just with music but with everything. But I just can’t stick to one. I have one life, full of many things I want to do. That’s one reason why I didn’t go to college/university. My education and community is everywhere I go! One thing I want people to know about my music, is that I hope my music can change peoples hearts. I’m not looking to get people lit up in the club. I’m just looking to make them feel something really. When people see me they think I’m scary, mysterious and nonchalant. But when they get to know me, I’m just a regular person just like them with humor, kindness and emotions. I want my followers to know how to be their true selves regardless of flaws or shortcomings. Just be you, be real, and be honest.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One thing I had to unlearn was how to stop giving time, energy, and love away to people that didn’t deserve it. Don’t get me wrong I think we all should give love to everybody. But not in the way where it’s personal and deep 1-on-1. We can all do this, but at what cost? I started to be more of aware of how much I give to others, because there’s only so much love to give. That also goes for time and energy. There’s only so much to give. Love is energy as well. Why waste it? Your love, your time, your energy, is all an investment to your future assets. I’m not saying your friends/family, partner, craft/work is an asset. Not in the money making type of way. But it is an asset of the abundance of your life.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding things as an artist is when you notice that people are paying attention and listening to what your story is. I’ve recently had people come up to me and tell me about their stories and experiences after performing for a show, resonating with what I went thru while writing a song. Since that’s my goal, I think that’s the best thing to hear from supporters and people that come across my music at a show or event. My heart goes deep into this music stuff and I hope to everybody that hears my music can really feel what I’m feeling or at least hear me out. I’ve got a whole lot to say and I want the whole world to hear me. It means so much when I get DMs knowing a certain song I put out resonated with them. For example, my latest original song, ‘Hollow Tips’, I talk about how it would feel to lose somebody, or how it would feel if anybody struggling with mental health issues were to leave this earth.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://linktr.ee/saintlydia
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydia_jaay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/163MNXfee9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: N/a
- Twitter: N/a
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dasaint_lydia?si=1sRjX-g8gnR7J7ui
- Yelp: N/a
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/vVd7qgRzGwaBGo5s8
- Other: N/a
Image Credits
@704_ProductionZ
@GVue.Images
KC Visuals
@nkaulor