Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to SUVI. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, SUVI thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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’ve never had a regular 9 to 5 job, and it wasn’t a deliberate choice. Instead, it happened organically. When I was 18, music found its way into my life, and from that moment, I’ve been earning a living through my creative work. Against societal norms, especially in my culture, I’ve managed to make a career out of my passion. It’s been 18 years, and I still wouldn’t consider a 9 to 5 job. I attribute my success to my unwavering love for the arts and my relentless persistence.
Since 2005, when I was first signed to Sony Music India, I knew little about the music business. I was a young artist driven by creativity from a very young age. I have vivid memories of my first stage performance at the age of 3, where I fell in love with the feeling it gave me.
I’m a South Asian, born and raised in Chennai, Southern India. In the ’90s, there was no frenzy around pursuing a creative career like there is today. The options were typically limited to becoming an engineer or a doctor. Although I had a passion for biology, I didn’t want to become a doctor. So, I had to fight hard to make my family understand my desire to pursue a Bachelor’s in Advanced Zoology & Biotechnology. However, fate had other plans for me.
When I became a full-time musician, the discipline and study habits I had developed during my childhood served me well. These skills helped me excel in music and even secured me a full-ride scholarship to move to America. I was the first in my family who wasn’t a doctor or an engineer, to move abroad for studies.
Starting from scratch in a new country where I didn’t know anyone or anything was incredibly challenging. However, I received guidance from my American family members who lived on the other side of the country. Despite numerous failures and difficulties, I persevered. I had the urge to return home several times, but giving up was never in my nature.
Today, after all these years, I can proudly say that I continue to make a full-time living as a creator in a foreign land, even before the era of social media. Transferring the systems, tools, and work ethic I accumulated in the real world to the digital realm has been a smooth transition, but it all boils down to one thing: how badly you want it.
I had an intense desire to lead a life of creativity, freedom, and enjoyment. I could never see myself working for someone else unless it was a project I was truly passionate about and didn’t require my constant physical presence. I thrive on partnerships, collaborations and making my own schedules because I can bring a diverse skill set to the table and thrive on the constant excitement they bring. I also love to learn and do new things and live in new places and consistency bores me.
I will always be my own boss! :)
SUVI, 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?
When I embarked on my journey as a full-time singer in India, the music business was a world I knew nothing about. It became clear to me that being a creative meant much more than just the artistry itself. Unfortunately, during that time in India, this understanding wasn’t common knowledge. Most of us aspired to be famous and make money, and while I did achieve fame and financial success, it left me feeling unfulfilled. This prompted me to delve into the ‘Why’ behind it all.
My quest for answers led me to the belief that I needed to expand my horizons by traveling abroad to learn more about the music business, and that’s precisely what I did.
Today, I offer my services as a Singer-Songwriter, DJ and Music Business Consultant, primarily assisting other artists in monetizing their music careers. I realized that most musicians, like me, weren’t taught the business side of the industry in school. This lack of education prompted me to create a platform through my social media outlets dedicated to sharing knowledge in this field.
I provide an array of resources, including digital products, to empower independent artists to take control of their music careers. One such product is the ‘Musicians’ Toolkit to Success,’ which is set to launch soon.
The ‘Musicians’ Toolkit to Success’ is designed to help artists channel their energy into the right areas when trying to launch their music careers. Essentially, it offers everything a record label would provide for an artist, such as a Royalty and Income Calculator, Song Registration Guides that lead to consistent royalty incomes, Metadata Guides, Contract Templates and so much more, but now it’s accessible directly to musicians themselves. These are the very methods and systems I utilized throughout my career, and despite not having a manager, booking agent, or record label, I’ve earned hundreds of thousands of dollars as an independent musician.
And because I am an Artist myself and I understand the struggles of making a living as one, I’m here to support more of us. Joining my mailing list at http://www.suvisociety.com/ will give you access to early bird prices when the product launches.
My mission is to share this knowledge with other passionate creatives and break down the gatekeeping barriers that record labels often impose on artists.
At Suvi Society, whether through my music as a singer-songwriter and DJ or my digital products like the ‘Musicians’ Toolkit to Success,’ I aim to empower artists to thrive in the ever-evolving music industry, offering them the tools and knowledge they need to succeed on their terms while maintaining ownership of all their assets.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Supporting artists means recognizing their worth. It’s about valuing their time, their effort, and their vulnerability when they share their creations. It’s the applause at a concert, the purchase of an artwork, or simply the act of listening with an open heart.
It’s also understanding that the life of an artist can be a rollercoaster. It’s offering stability in an often uncertain journey, whether it’s through fair pay, access to resources, or opportunities to showcase their work. It’s about providing platforms where their voices can resonate, where their visions can shine.
And it’s the knowledge that every small change in how we perceive and support art and artists ripples through society. When we choose to support local artists, when we appreciate the power of creativity in education, when we advocate for funding and policies that nurture the arts, we are planting seeds of beauty and inspiration that will grow into a richer, more vibrant world.
In every act of support, in every note of encouragement, we become part of this beautiful symphony. We enable artists to keep painting, composing, and storytelling. We ensure that the magic endures. So, let’s all be stewards of creativity, knowing that even the smallest acts of kindness can help a garden of artistic dreams flourish, for the benefit of all.
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?
The elusive nature of inspiration is something that can be challenging for non-creatives to grasp fully. It’s like chasing fireflies on a warm summer night—sometimes, you have to seize the moment before it vanishes.
There have been countless instances where I’ve had to miss family gatherings or arrive late because I couldn’t ignore that melody or idea that suddenly captured my mind and heart. It’s as if the universe whispered a secret, and I had to listen. Those moments of unexpected brilliance are like gold dust sprinkled through the tapestry of a creative’s life.
In the grand scheme of things, these sacrifices are not just about missing an event or arriving a little late. They’re about honoring the creative process and capturing the essence of a fleeting thought or emotion before it evaporates. It’s the choice to embrace the unpredictable, to follow the muse wherever it may lead, even if it means navigating uncharted waters.
Even as I celebrate my successes, I’ve encountered moments of vulnerability that non-creatives might find perplexing. Like that time in LA when I first moved there, I remember opening my refrigerator over and over, hoping that food would miraculously appear. It didn’t, of course. Sharing this story may seem surprising, but it’s essential to shed light on the journey’s reality.
We creatives often hesitate to share these moments of vulnerability. We fear judgment or the misconception that success erases past struggles. However, by opening up about these experiences, we offer a glimpse into the path that led us to where we are today.
It’s not about dwelling on the past but celebrating the resilience that carried us through. It’s a reminder that success often arises from the willingness to face adversity head-on. So, when we share our stories of vulnerability, it’s not out of shame but as a testament to the strength it takes to weather the emotional storms on this creative voyage. It’s an invitation for others to see that challenges are part of the journey, and every low is a stepping stone to a higher peak.
So, to non-creatives, when you see a creative artist prioritizing their work and pouring out their heart in a sad, sad song, know that it’s not a disregard for other commitments or putting up gaining sympathy on a pedestal but a reverence for the muse’s capricious nature. It’s a pursuit of those rare moments and feelings when the universe whispers its secrets, that a masterpiece is born, It’s embracing the vulnerability, that strength is born. It’s a journey marked by unpredictability, but within that chaos lies the magic of creation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.suvisociety.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suvimusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089451547384
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuViMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDnoD6WuSgLaE-221AZ_C2A
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/3uiRnlfQEizk49gwTcNoL6?si=hbqCAKLHQASTcQo7fzI-uw
Image Credits
Edrea Lara