We recently connected with Raspin Stuwart and have shared our conversation below.
Raspin, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’d say I first remember having the drive to make music at the age of 12 when I laid eyes on my first guitar, but I know it was long before then… it was probably when I came out of the womb! I also started making art (sketching, painting…) in my tween years. I always wanted to make my own art but I absolutely loved showing others’ art to friends and family. Creating music and art is fundamental to who I am, and I felt that showcasing other artists was an important mission for me too. When I realized “hey, I can be an artist, musician, AND showcase visual art”, that’s when I really knew that creating and publishing an arts & entertainment magazine, Boulevard, while making music and performing was the path. And I’ve stayed on that path for over 40 years. So, in short, I first knew I wanted to take this creative path when I was a kid. I held on to the dream and didn’t look back!
Raspin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As a creative, I have many disciplines I work in, music being the first, then art and publishing. I got into music by listening to the Blues and Folk legends of my childhood… when my sister gifted me an acoustic guitar, I couldn’t wait to take lessons, so I taught myself how to play. I began to write my own songs immediately, and even gave performances for my family. 50-plus years later, I still record and perform, providing a lively, even spiritual show to my audiences. I am most proud of my ability to perform. When I’m on a stage, no matter how big or small, I am transformed, and I feel a divine connection with the fans. I sing for them and with them. I want them to have the transformative experience that live music can create.
Main things about my music and lyrics? My song lyrics are poetic and diverse: some songs focus on social issues that affect marginalized communities; others are about lost love or new beginnings; some of my songs are about city life’s freedom and its constraints. Crafting songs and lyrics is a very personal artistic process, and then I just put it out there in the recording studio, on the stage. My mission is to connect to as many people as possible through music
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
When I started, there wasn’t even the internet… so I would have loved access to a world wide venue to share and sell my music. But hey, I use those tools now!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Moving from the Midwest to Los Angeles at the age of 17 is my story of resilience. I didn’t know a soul out here and I found a place to live, then did my music, I had never worked for anyone, and I made it my mission to only work for myself, to start my own business. I’ve been rejected by the best… but I never stopped trying.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raspinstuwart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raspinstuwart4/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaspinMusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raspin-stuwart-66435116/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/raspinstuwart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/raspinstuwart
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/raspin
Image Credits
Delaney Andrews
Roland Medina
Fiorella Occhipinti
Delaney Andrews