We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nathan Kersey-Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nathan below.
Nathan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
The artist’s life is like a dynamic tapestry that is always shifting colors. There is no clear path like there is in some professions (go to Medical School -> become a doctor, etc). Each artist must carve their own path. We must figure out how to support ourselves within the limitations of society and still make art. Something that is often misguiding for artists is the idea that our art needs to make up 100% of our income. I took this idea to heart when I first graduated college, consequentially putting a TON of pressure and stress on my music. Retrospectively, I see that this pressure came from my own ego and insecurity and need to ‘prove myself’ as a musician. It took many years for me to release this concept from my psyche and think about my life more holistically. Then, I started teaching more music lessons, which were a much more steady source of income, and often paid in one hour the equivalent of an entire night out on a gig (packing gear, driving, loading in, soundcheck, downtime, performing, loading out, driving home). This opened up time in my schedule to focus on my own musicianship, and (surprise!) my art actually got better once this pressure was relieved. I found myself with nothing to prove, infinitely more creative freedom, and was finally able to begin to connect with the muse within. To me, success as an artist means having a balanced life, a happy home, and time to create and release my art.
I am both a musician and artist, so I make my own music, as well as play for hire with other artists, at churches, weddings, and other events. I absolutely love working as a musician with other artists and helping their vision come to life. These gigs helped me grow immensely, and I’m grateful to everyone that has hired me to play, shared their original music, introduced me to new cover songs, and taught me to be a little bit more musical. It is truly an honor to be trusted as part of a musical creation- I know that these projects are incredibly special, important, and intimate. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to go on tour with inspiring bands such as Mestizo Beat, Saint Motel, and The Untouchables, and work as a band member with incredible groups like Mystic Tiger, Sake of Sound, AMBL, and The Ten Thousand (All these groups have records our that I highly recommend listening to).
While on the musicians’ hustle of always looking for the next gig, the internal creative journey asks: how can I overcome mental/emotional blocks, rewrite negative thought patterns, and open up new creative pathways in order to make the best music I can? It is a never-ending process of discovering the visions in my heart and bringing them into this world through sound. While I am still waiting for any substantial steady income to come in from my own music releases, I can hear my music continuing to get better- finding that sound that just feels gooood- and that is an affirmation that I am on the right path. I see this process of deepening my creativity also as an investment in my future: the better my art gets, the more beautiful the world becomes. Perhaps it will pay my rent one day, perhaps not, but producing music feels good and I’m gonna keep doing it. Meanwhile, the gigging and teaching life continues- let’s work!
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 am a musician, band leader, and music producer! I play piano, saxophone, flute, guitar, bass, and sing. I often accompany other artists for live performances and recordings. Please feel free to reach out if you need:
-piano, sax, flute, bass, or guitar tracks on a music recording project
-help producing an original song
-any kind of live music for a event or wedding
I want to have an exchange of services that feels good to both parties. I don’t have hard lines when it comes to pricing- my goal is to help you out however I can and while feeling like my time and skills are valued. I realize that it is a huge privilege to live this creative life and I put that energy of gratitude into all my work.
Check out this Spotify playlist of music I’ve produced recently:
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The intention for my music…is to be there with you; as you walk, drive, cook, skate, dance, lie on the floor, or go about your daily business. To make life a little bit more beautiful, to calm the nervous system, to instill gratitude and awe for this people planet we are privileged enough to live on and this beautiful life we are privileged enough to experience. Just over a hundred years ago, there was no recorded music…the only time you could hear music was when it was sung or played right then and there. The accessibility of music is an incredible opportunity for artists and listeners alike! Don’t overlook the magic of this day and age. Find music that makes you melt and get it in your ears.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Creatives are just going to create. We are going to make art regardless of whether it pays the bills or if they rationally have the time for it. It is just a part of life, a universal process of nature that we humans are included in. As a flower blooms, graffiti art pops up on abandoned buildings. As the birds sing, we sing along. Encourage your artist friends to keep doing their thing, ask them about it, and see if they’re willing to share it. Perhaps it will open up something within you. Art is literally creating beauty- that’s a magical thing- and sharing it with others (on any scale!) makes the world a more beautiful place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nathankerseywilson.wixsite.com/music/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathankerseywilson/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/nathankerseywilsonmusic
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7i6wUpJElvNxwCs3lP0bAJ?si=e-RcVTe1TxOUvxCOtyopiA
Bandcamp: https://nathankerseywilson.bandcamp.com/music
Image Credits
Brendan Kersey-Wilson
Chill Ride Records
Carolyn Diloreto
Raquel Rodriguez