We recently connected with Sitch and have shared our conversation below.

Sitch, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally kind of happened twice for me. I went to college for Graphic Design, and that choice I made my senior year of high school. That was a ~choice~ because the running narrative is that “art careers don’t make money”. I will concede that the arts are not valued or paid as equitably as more “left brain” fields, but I still chose Design over Architecture, Engineering, etc. because I knew my passion and skill sets would inevitably find success. Now, I’ve worked full time, been contracted by different brands and businesses, supported my friends in creative endeavors, and earned my Master’s degree. More intimately, though, my choice to find the space Music made for me professionally came a little later; I’d say around 2015. Up to that point, I knew I enjoyed music and singing, but only did it as a hobby. Plus, in college, I delved a lot deeper into Dance, so nobody really “knew” me as a singer or performer. I performed at Packapalooza, a block party hosted each year by NC State University, and pulled a few of my friends to put on a 15-minute show. That really ignited a spark in me and gave me the inkling of, “Wait, I think I love this;” but even then I was just “the dancer who can sing”. A few years later, I was at church with my sister, and as the pianist was playing during benediction I closed my eyes and just listened. Even though the pastor was speaking, it was like his voice faded out and all I could hear was the simple melody on the piano. I started crying. The way the music moved me in that moment was something I never experienced with anything else. That was the moment I received confirmation that I was Called to do music – and I’ve been working toward it ever since.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I go by Sitch – I’m an R&B/Pop-Soul music artist and entertainer. I started singing as a kid in the church choir, and started writing and making music around 2015. In 2019 I adopted the Sitch pseudonym and pursued music and live performance more fully. I think what sets me apart as an artist is not only that I’m cross-trained in dance, design, and production, but that I have a personal intersectionality that I want to see more of in mainstream culture: I’m a Black, male artist who is also queer, who also writes about vulnerability, who also brands himself colorfully without relying on “low-hanging fruit” gimmicks. It feels like even with how progressive our culture has become, there’s a looming stigma around how you must present yourself as a male artist to be accepted or respected. I want to expand what our image of what artistry can look like.

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

Pay us. Simple as it sounds, creatives are taken for granted in my opinion. Creativity is such a “flower” thing (as in, you mostly just reap the harvest) that people don’t value the many elements of growth that are required for that flower to bloom. Art takes talent and gifts, yes, but it also takes training, foundation, practice, and RESOURCES! So many creatives don’t thrive because they lack sufficient access to resources and opportunities, and many of those things cost money. And with the rise of technology, AI, etc., art and creativity have become more commodified and I think has made basic art so accessible to the general public that the “worth” or value of creative work is not considered the same as more left-brained, quantitative skills/fields are. All ecosystems thrive with more and better resources.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to connect. It is so gratifying to create a piece of work that resonates with someone. To be able to make a song that people can interpret in their own way, or that speaks to their lived experiences, or that wells an emotion up in them, is a beautiful thing. Music truly connects us in such a personal way that you sometimes can’t predict. Music says so much through the many layers of lyrics, instruments, production, and to have a card in that deck myself (AND PLAY IT WELL?) is honestly a privilege. Being an artist also has given me a way to connect with myself. Art is my outlet when I can’t find the words to express my thoughts or emotions… even if that art is more words. I remember being at my lowest, darkest, or most confusing times, and packaging it into a new song or melody. I’ve made music that hit one way when I wrote it initially, then evolved in a whole different way when I revisited it further down the road. Being an artist taught me the value of connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: sitchofficial.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sitchofficial
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/sitchofficialmusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sitchofficial

Image Credits
Tatyana Kiahra, Laajlim Khang