Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tai Drury. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tai, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Like with any career there are highs and lows, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s what I was called to. At a very young age I had the great luck to witness John Henry Bonham play the drums with Led Zeppelin in their live concert documentary “The Song Remains The Same”. I knew instantly I would be a musician. This might even be my first memory around age 6-7, the first time I felt consciousness. It electrified my entire being.

I have certainly fantasized about giving it all up and getting a 9-5, as this life comes with an existentially harrowing and ever-changing set of struggles, but there’s really no choice for me. At the end of the day I get to play guitar for a living and it doesn’t get much better than that. It’s great for a chaotic person like myself, as being an indepedent musician means I have to wear many different hats. Booking Agent, Creative Director, Graphic Designer, Writer, Cat-Herder, Tour Manager, Producer, etc. The opportunity to learn new things under the umbrella career of “Musician” keeps me constantly engaged and learning, and that’s where I’m happiest.

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.

My name is Tai Drury, I’m a full time performing artist & songwriter, playing original music throughout the midwest with my bands The Marsupials, Distant Stars, and as a solo act. I also play chef with The Fatted Calf, doing farm to table pop up kitchens at festivals and restaurants throughout Michigan when the muse strikes.

I got into the industry by putting a band together in high school and basically cold calling venues until somebody booked us. Networking at local festivals, bars and breweries helped get my foot in the door. Cultivating relationships with a few awesome people in the local scene taught me how to make gigging full time work. I’ve found the Michigan music scene to be a wonderfully cooperative community.

I’m not going to claim I have something that “sets me apart” from others as there’s countless talented and unique people writing music out there. Just like anyone making art, all I have to offer is my perspective and personal experience. I do my best to communicate whatever I’m feeling through music.

The Marsupials are about to release our third full length album, End Times Are Nigh. Coming out on November 25, 2023. It’s vaguely a concept album, written during the most hopeless moments of the pandemic. As a full time musician my life was (momentarily) obliterated, and there’s a lot of that communicated on the record. It’s mostly a bit cheeky – I’m not really a doomsayer – though the current state of humanity leaves something to be desired, to put it mildly. It’s the most personal thing I’ve ever worked on and I am deeply excited to share it with the world.

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

Supporting the arts and artists, both financially and conceptually, is as important to a functioning society as any public work or basic form of government. Go to a local show. Buy some merch. Stream a local band’s music. Buy a painting from a friend, or even commission work from them. If you’re strapped for coin, something as simple as sharing a FB or instagram post is immeasurably helpful to independent artists.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Ari Herstand (Ari’s Take) is constantly dropping a wealth of invaluable content for independent musicians. His book “How To Make It In The New Music Business” offers great concrete guidelines for growth. He also runs “Ari’s Take Academy” which has numerous interactive online courses related to many differen facets of the music industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themarsupials.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taijaxxdrury/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taidrury
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taidrury/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPEvcVxWpsjaWbFM7S3Fx-A

Image Credits
Nikolai Vansteenis – LyferVisuals Rachel Haggerty Philip Hutchinson – Northern Territory Imaging