We were lucky to catch up with Nathan Figlar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nathan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I have at various points in my life. You must really be focused at that point and think of it like a business. You must find an audience or a target and give them what they want while trying to keep things within your artform and your style. It can be extremely difficult and a lot of work and sometimes the return and still be hard to actually earn a living.
Now a days I do have a day job but actually I find it more rewarding as the pressure is off and I feel more free to create what I want. Now I do prioritize when having a day job like always M-F. Weekends MUST be free for performances. Plenty of PTO so if i do travel or I want a weekday gig here and there it can be done. All in all as an artist you must prioritize what YOU want from your art and what you are comfortable with to make a living, and possible sacrifices you need to make for your art vs income.
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 background and context?
I have been a life long musician. When I say life long literally from basically 5 years old and up. My dad was an extremely talented Jazz saxophonist and got me interest. I had a “cool” young uncle that played drums that what really got me into drumming. I wanted to be like him. Eventually I went on to college to study Music however I went for a music business degree. I ended up working for a music store, eventually a wholesale rep for a short time then a drummer in too many bands to even count LOL. I have done it all from metal and rock bands, Jazz with my father, I have played in churches, theater gig, corporate gigs, recorded oh about 50 ish recordings over the years including with grammy winning and grammy nominated artists.
The past 5 years though I have started playing an interesting instrument called a Chapman Stick. from there i have begun to delve into avant-garde music, performance art, and contemporary composition beyond just genre. I am using skills I learned in my music student days I never thought I would use. I have had some very interesting names in music starting to take interest in mentoring me that I would have never dreamed possible of working with. but mostly I feel very complete as I am making music I feel is truly what I was made to make. It is extremely rewarding at this point in my life
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The biggest thing is DON’T HOLD BACK. through out my career, especially younger, I was afraid of overplaying, or looking conceited, or stepping on toes. So i may hold back on an opportunity, even though deep down i wanted it I thought it may make me look bad. Well someone ended up taking the opportunity and got the glory and helped THEIR musical career. about 10 years ago I moved to Pittsburgh. At this point I realized it was a fresh start, I owed no one here anything. there was plenty opportunities for the taking. This is when things started to happen. I was playing better shows. I got to work with bigger names, and even worked with bigger behind the scenes people as well and building my resources. The reason why is I wasn’t holding back. I played and performed to my fullest. When I went into the studio I would be prepared. when I went to an open mic night, the improv skills I learned from my dad made me an asset as I could learn on the fly. In a city like Pittsburgh people talk to each other and network. I learned I could do so much more than I thought and espically boosted my confidence and self worth.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I am making a difference. There will be something I will leave in the world after I am done with this life. I ALWAYS have something to do. I in fact have an extremely hard time relating with someone who says, they go home ” and just relax, do some chores and watch some TV” the past few years when i started avant-garde and modern contemporary classical composition has been especially rewarding. when I work with my mentors discovering a new way to put something together I will work with it for day…. weeks…. even months. I might even be sick of hearing it but can’t help myself but still work with it as sometimes it will lead to a new idea. In the end, you look at it and say “I did that” you can share with your friends and family. you go out an perform it someone may ask you about ” what was that cool transition you did from a major key to whole tone”. This starts great conversations and interesting friends. This is truly what I love about what I do with creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natefiglar.bandcamp.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sonorone
- Youtube: @natefiglar5431
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/VjMDvacUZoQjSCs9pg
