We recently connected with Michael Wavves and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

My entire pursuit of a music career has been a risk. The moment I made the choice to turn my music from a hobby and passion into a full-time career, is the moment I began dedicating so much time, money, and effort towards making this dream happen. Over the years, I have sacrificed time with loved ones and money I didn’t have to keep the dream alive and chase it with tenacity. Making a full-time career out of music isn’t the same as simply applying for a job with a company, you are building this company literally from the ground up. Putting all of the pressure on your shoulders and making every decision to hopefully lead yourself to success. There is far less security and comfort in this option, all the blame and responsibility is on you. There are days where you are searching for answers to problems, feeling stress, and trying to figure out the most efficient and effective ways to grow and scale things; often will little to no assistance from others. You are putting yourself to the test every single day. Aiming to create a self-sufficient and effective way to earn an income that is based on your art and your brand, which is the most personal and risk-filled of all.

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?

I don’t really consider myself ‘in the music industry’ per say. But I began writing poetry in high school thanks to an English class assignment. Once I went off to college, I fell in love with music; as it was so prevalent on campus. Everywhere you would go you would hear different kinds of music being played all over the place. I took a liking to hip-hop, mainly artists like Drake, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Mac Miller, and Mike Posner. Some of these artists where very similar to me, younger, some still in college, and love writing songs about their life experiences. So then I started turning my poems into songs, although they were terrible, I kept with it and became obsessed. I found myself studying other artists and the things they did to cultivate and grow a fanbase. After many years of failing over and over again and making subpar music, I started hitting a stride in like 2018. I started experimenting with sounds and finding my own unique style and figuring out what I wanted to say in my songs, what messages I wanted to communicate and what picture and brand I wanted to paint and construct. I’ve hit the ground running ever since. I am the most proud of the messages I’ve gotten from fans that are positively impacted by music and the help it has given them to persevere through hard times they are experiencing.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wouldn’t say it is a resource, but I wish I had the mindset and understanding I do now about the long and difficult journey of making your creative outlet your job. It is a process that takes an immense amount of time, hard work, and resilience. It tests you in various ways all throughout the process and there are so many highs and lows, which make you question everything. Ed Sheeran once said that he wishes he had someone like he is now to be there for his younger self, because he really needed someone like his current self to help him through his tough times. I heavily resonate with that message, as I often did not give myself grace during many years of my creative journey. I frequently beat myself up with negative self-talk, thought I was not good enough and ultimately held myself down a lot of the times. I still fall into that mindset from time to time, but I have come a long way with it, which I am very proud of myself for.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal and mission is to help others and have my music be of service to others. I want my songs, content, and concerts to help people get through their hard times, take a break from the stress of their lives and challenges they face, and create a safe place for them to love themselves, believe in themselves, and chase their own dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michaelwavves.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelwavves/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelwavves
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelwavves
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelwavves

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Matt Hoffacker with Acti Cinematics Curtis Gant