We recently connected with Travis Bailey and have shared our conversation below.

TRAVIS , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve discovered the art of music creation through trial and error, coupled with an insatiable thirst for listening. I delve deeper into the mix, falling in love with every intricate crack and pop of the drums, as well as the lush, ethereal waves of the pads and synths. This self-taught journey has ignited a self-motivated passion within me, akin to a painter’s creative expression, allowing me to sculpt sounds and bring them to life.

Knowing what I know now, I would say that time and experience build a muscle memory that gradually eliminates the unnecessary. Speed comes with knowing what you’re doing and being well-versed in it, not with any concern for anything except self-expression.

The most valuable skill that will always be essential is listening. If we allow ourselves to do so, we can find details everywhere. Instead of overthinking the task, I suggest challenging yourself to do the work itself. Move on to the next step, and then the next. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be authentic.

An obstacle that stood in the way for me was not allowing myself to share my work to the world enough, thinking it was this mystery that no one would understand but the chosen ones lol. living in my mind and being too timid to let others in.

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 passion for creating and producing electronic music—especially dance, minimal techno, dub techno, and house—stems from a deep love for music, the freedom of creativity, and a natural curiosity. Whenever I listened to music, I would instinctively think of ways to shape it to my taste. Often, I’d hear a track and feel an urge to contribute a sound or a melody that could enhance it. I listened to music beyond the speakers, exploring it as an immersive experience. Around the age of six, I would scroll through radio stations, fascinated by the different sounds and signals. I even took radios apart and reassembled them, marveling at how they worked. One night, while tuning in to a college station in Atlanta, Georgia—around 85.5 FM—I stumbled upon a mix of techno and UK garage that instantly captivated me, even though I didn’t know what it was at the time. That moment sparked something within me.

I began making music at 15, forming singing groups and performing dance routines at local shows and in the neighborhood just to stay musically active. Before diving into electronic music, I was producing rap and R&B for myself, local artists, and peers across the U.S. While these projects weren’t major, they were meaningful to me at the time.

When collaborating, I’m always open and receptive to the ideas of others. I don’t impose my own musical preferences; instead, I create a safe space for everyone to express themselves freely, contributing my touch to enhance the overall sound. My philosophy is that collaboration should be a team effort, not about individuals showcasing their egos.

What sets me apart is my genuine love for music. My goal is not personal gain but to create something meaningful and impactful. I’ve spent years giving away my music for free because I believe the experience of creating and sharing music is priceless. This approach reflects how I’ve lived my life and made music—driven by a desire to connect with others and offer them something valuable.

I take pride in expressing myself equally through both music and poetry. My brand, Loki WIZART Poetry, embodies this duality. My goal is to help others see that we’re all figuring out life as we go. We make mistakes, so patience with ourselves and others is essential. Through my poetry, I explore themes of love, loss, hope, and realistic outcomes, offering readers a chance to embrace life’s complexities. I published a poetry book, Broken Loki, inspired by stories shared with me and my own experiences, structured into poems and epigrams.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was always the new kid in school, and we moved around a lot for various reasons. So, I had to adapt and often ended up being a loner. There were times when I did have friends, but then I became a loner again because they moved or I moved. Because of this, I had a lot of time to reflect on myself. During lunchtime in high school, I wouldn’t eat. Instead, I would go to the library and use the internet to research music idols and their journey to fame. Even then, I knew that I was meant for more because I was often outcast for being new. Being new draws attention, but it doesn’t last long. I became comfortable with not being in the crowd and learned to be unbothered. Even then, I knew that they didn’t know what they were doing or saying; they were just being as others allowed or expected them to be, and I wasn’t threatened by that.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Books have been a cornerstone of my personal and creative development. Among the many that have shaped me, a few stand out: Nothing You Don’t Already Know by Alexander Ben Heijer, Ninpo: Wisdom for Life by Masaaki Hatsumi, works and talks by Alan Watts and Jiddu Krishnamurti, the poetry of Atticus and Mahmoud Darwish, and the wisdom of Bruce Lee through his books and quotes. I also draw significant inspiration from Dame Dash’s insights on business and life, while Pharrell Williams’ perspectives are equally liberating. At heart, I am a minimalist. I believe in simplicity, striving to avoid overcomplication in both life and art. This philosophy guides my approach to music and poetry as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lokiwizartpoetry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loki.wizart?igsh=ZTBiMHA2cHhrYW41&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: @lokiwizart
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lokiwizart?si=ivcVc3CZ3-E-cfYr
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/qmvVyntJjBo1Tj886
• Other: Broken Loki https://a.co/d/9xn0e4D

Image Credits

LOKI WIZART – TRAVIS BAILEY