We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful NAIAD. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with NAIAD below.

NAIAD, appreciate you joining us today. 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?

In 2022, I made the life-changing decision to leave the corporate world and devote myself entirely to my craft as a Producer and DJ. Prior to this, I had been balancing a full-time job in content writing with streaming music on Twitch. This relentless schedule had me working seven days a week, leading to severe burnout and a noticeable decline in my creative output in the studio.

The transition was terrifying. Leaving behind the stability and steady income of a day job for the uncertainty of a full-time music career was a leap of faith. The corporate world offered security, while the path of an artist is filled with unpredictability. However, I realized that for the first time in my life, I was truly happy. The freedom to focus solely on my music allowed my creativity (and importantly, my health) to flourish like never before.

There are still days when the fear and uncertainty creep in, making me question my decision. But the rewards have been immeasurable. My art has brought me bigger gigs farther and farther away from my home base in Los Angeles, a dedicated fan base, and a growing community on Twitch – a platform that itself was a risk, given its relatively new and skeptical reception in the music world.

Despite the challenges, the decision to take this risk has been one of the most fulfilling choices of my life. The journey is ongoing, and every step reinforces my belief that following my passion was the right move.

NAIAD, 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 NAIAD :) na·iad – Noun | nī-, -ˌad \ | – plural naiads or naiades – any of the nymphs in classical mythology living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains. See Also: Dj and Producer from LA.

Growing up, I was an athlete, and my artistic exploration was limited to high school band and reading books. However, in college, I discovered techno and electronic music, which totally swept me away with its ability to help people self express themselves and create incredible spaces. It was like an awakening, hearing all of these sounds that I didn’t know existed and this endless space for creativity and aural experience.

After graduating college (with an English degree), I took a one-way flight to Ibiza, where I worked for Richie Hawtin’s ENTER party. This led to touring with his CNTRL tour in North America and eventually landing in LA. There, I worked for an audio hardware company, which gave me a deep understanding of the tools that enable electronic music production and the opportunity to learn how to DJ.

My time in the studio is dedicated to broadening my creative brain and pushing the boundaries between genres and my own emotions. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to learn and work on the music I create. I am self-taught, but I have had the most incredible support system of incredible mentors and peers along the way.

What drives me is the desire to break down the divide and gatekeeping often found in the art world. I didn’t think that I was able to learn for so many years, believing others that told me you had to have natural talent to do so. I believe that with discipline and determination, anyone can learn and create music or any art they wish to express themselves with. I strive to help others see this potential within themselves.

I’m incredibly proud of the community I’ve built in LA and on Twitch and the support I’ve received from new fans and new friends around the world. For me, music is about continuous exploration and connection. I hope to be able to inspire others and share the joy of creativity without barriers.

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

There are so so many ways in which I think that we as a society can help artists provide more to their societies. I think that America has a particularly difficult system to allow creatives to thrive in if they don’t have money to begin with and want to work to make their art a career. I see this struggle around me in my peer group all of the time. It can be terrifying and I think that it can dissuade extremely talented artists from treating their art as a career.

Increased access to funding and grants for artists can provide the financial stability needed to explore and develop their craft. This includes government support, private sponsorships, healthcare, and community-based funding initiatives. There are some countries that are already putting and have put policies into place for artists and it has been met with great success.

Providing comprehensive arts education in schools and continuing education opportunities for adults can help nurture creative talents from an early age. This includes not only traditional arts education but also training in new and emerging creative technologies. A lot of creatives struggle with this at a young age if they come from families that aren’t creative as well.

We need to ensure that artists are fairly compensated for their work is essential. This includes advocating for fair wages, royalties, and intellectual property rights to protect and reward the creators themselves.

Lastly, we the artists are responsible for reducing gatekeeping in the arts and making creative opportunities accessible to people from all backgrounds is essential. This includes addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the creative community.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The resource I wish I had known about most earlier in my creative journey is one that each and every person has if they truly want something: self-discipline and confidence. Understanding that the key to success lies in persistent practice and believing in yourself is crucial. This can be so difficult for some, but taking the time to heal anything that you need to heal mentally and begin to build a psyche that can support your goals is something that anyone can (and should) do for themselves to lead a healthier (and more creative) life.

In today’s world, the ability to learn anything is at our fingertips. If you’re willing to dive into countless YouTube tutorials, embrace the frustration of not understanding until you finally do, and shed a few (or a lot) of tears along the way, you can master any skill. The journey of self-teaching is challenging, but incredibly rewarding. And don’t forget to phone a friend when it’s too much for you. There will always be people to help you along the way that want to see others succeed and learn like they did.

Reflecting on my journey, I realized that having patience and determination to keep going, even when things get tough, is invaluable. It’s about showing up every day, putting in the hours, and trusting that your efforts will pay off. This mindset, coupled with the vast array of online resources available, makes learning and growth possible for anyone willing to put in the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mynameisnaiad.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynameisnaiad/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyNameIsNAIAD
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mynameisnaiad
• Other: https://www.twitch.tv/mynameisnaiad
  https://www.beatport.com/artist/naiad-us/746353
  https://mynameisnaiad.bandcamp.com/track/something-so-good[MY Twitch channel is definitely something I would like to be highlighted above other socials :) ]

Image Credits

Credit on the Press Shots [The artsy ones done in a studio, not the ones performing] to Aleon.World