We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Quill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Quill below.
Alright, Quill thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
The most important lesson I’ve learned came from an unexpected place: a long-time job in sales. Before I decided to pursue music full-time, I spent years honing my skills in the sales industry. Recently, I was laid off, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in my journey as an artist.
In sales, I learned the art of selling—not just products, but myself. Every interaction was an opportunity to pitch not only what I was offering but also who I was. This experience taught me the invaluable skill of self-promotion, which is essential in the music industry. As Quill, I constantly have to sell my vision, my story, and my music to audiences and industry professionals alike.
Sales also taught me humility and resilience. Dealing with clients meant facing rejection, criticism, and sometimes outright rudeness. I had to learn to take people’s crap humbly and keep moving forward. It thickened my skin and instilled a perseverance that is crucial in the challenging world of music.
Through sales, I also learned the power of listening and understanding. I realized that not every rejection was personal. Sometimes, people just had different needs or preferences. This lesson has been instrumental in my music career, helping me navigate feedback, understand my audience, and stay true to my artistic vision without taking every critique to heart.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Well, my journey started in the Windy City. I was an overly obsessed, eccentric, and ambitious theater kid with big dreams. It wasn’t until I moved here a year ago, that my country/pop/ Latin music influences morphed -surprisingly – into rock.
Throughout my childhood, I was always singing. My dad had my siblings and I take piano very early, and he would host events for us to play at. It was those early moments that really played a crucial part in how I dealt with emotion and healing. I learned to let go express myself through creative outlets.
Around my pre-teen era, life threw me some curveballs. I started having constant identity crises that spiraled into severe insecurity and a deep unhappiness with who I was. I felt like I was on a never-ending rollercoaster of doubt, always worried that I’d never be important—that I wasn’t special. Eventually, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and went through bouts of undiagnosed eating disorders. I was really going through it, but at that time, writing became my lifeline. It saved my mental health when nothing else could. I poured my heart out on paper, and that raw emotion bled into my music. But something that never went away, was this dreadful fear that I was running out of time.
As Quill, I create music that’s a mix of all these experiences—blending the strong emotion of rock with the subtle storytelling in country, and the haunting energy of dark pop. My music says,
“It’s totally not okay. But.. it’s okay.”
My songs are for anyone who’s ever felt like their emotions were too inconvenient for others, unsure of their identity, or like they don’t quite fit in. They’re for those battling mental health issues, body image struggles, and the heaviness of simply being human.
What sets me apart? Well, besides my unique blend of influences and a love for quirky flaws, it’s my commitment to authenticity. I’m not just here to entertain; I’m here to connect. My brand isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing the chaos, the messiness, and the beauty in between. I want my fans to know that it’s okay to not have it all figured out—that there’s strength in vulnerability, and power in being real.
What I’m most proud of? Honestly that I’m still here on this earth. It’s also that I’ve built a space where people feel seen and heard. My music is a safe haven for those who need it, just like it was for me.
So, if you’re in search of music that resonates deeply, with raw, heartfelt lyrics and a mix of 2000s punk rock and haunting, soulful storytelling, then welcome. It gets pretty ugly here lol.
How did you build your audience on social media?
This one’s funny because I don’t have a huge audience on Instagram yet, but I’m slowly building it—emphasis on slowly. What I’ve learned is that there’s no quick way or one-size-fits-all solution to organic reach. It’s a bit like making friends in real life; it takes time for people to get to know you and decide if they want to stick around.
For me, Instagram is just another way to sell myself, and I’ve realized that I’d rather people get to know me at a gradual, natural pace. It’s safer that way—less risk of shocking anyone when they find out I’m actually human, with flaws and all!
If I could offer any advice to those just starting out, it would be to focus on being authentic. Don’t stress too much about follower counts or likes; instead, concentrate on sharing your story and connecting with people who resonate with it. Engage with your audience, respond to comments, and most importantly, be patient. Building a genuine following takes time, but it’s worth it in the long run. After all, quality over quantity, right?
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
There’s something incredibly powerful about creating music that resonates with people on a deep, emotional level. When someone tells me that a song I wrote helped them through a tough time, or made them feel understood, that’s the kind of impact that fuels my passion.
It’s like turning my personal experiences, struggles, and emotions into something that others can relate to, and in turn, it creates this beautiful, unspoken bond between us. It’s also rewarding to see the growth—not just in my craft, but in myself as a person. Each song, each performance, pushes me to be more vulnerable, more authentic, and that’s where the real magic happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.quillsmusic.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbyquill?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quill-%E2%84%A2-aba911312?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
