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

Hi Van, thanks for joining 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?

I think the short of it is that I don’t feel even remotely capable of having a “regular” job. I only say that because I’ve also been conditioned to see art as “other” but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I think being an artist is and should be seen as regular. The entertainment industry is absolutely massive and contributes heavily to the world around us. Unfortunately, there’s a trend in this culture of not pairing artistic endeavors with proper financial value. So from there, we resign to accepting amazing artistic creations for cheap and view paying properly for it largely unnecessary. This still leaves artists with the bill for things needed to create and forcing them to give up time creating to work a “regular” job just like “everyone else”.

Now, as much as I will advocate until my last breath to make it easier for artists to make a living wage for their highly valuable contributions to society, the above is still a reality I face daily as a full-time creative. Lovegrove Studios (run by Sam Roller and myself) has made a point to at least do our best to keep the “art” in art. In an age where the creation of music isn’t met with high profits, the general move is to “just get it done” so the touring can begin. At Lovegrove, we stay as budget friendly as possible to allow for the creator’s music to end up exactly as envisioned. Something everyone can look back on fondly decades down the road without any financially-driven regret. Though our services aren’t free, we are very budget conscious and personally have other musical endeavors to help ease the burden for our artists. The idea there is that once money is coming from sources outside immediate company, we can all benefit. I’ve found the most success in growing as a community.

The artist world (at least from where I’m at currently) is driven by a constant pendulum of feast or famine. Some months are great and some test your faith. Now, this business model we operate on is ripe with delusion (of course) but if I can aid artists in comfortably creating the art they want, I can sleep easy. I’ve found that sticking to your morals, though challenging at times, is the best way to remain happy and grounded in this line of work. Check back in further down the road

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a music producer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. I run a music production studio called Lovegrove Studios with Sam Roller of NYC. I studied Contemporary, Urban and Popular music in Chicago where I lived for 6 years before heading to Nashville. I also do live performance and session work for bands both local and national (violin, piano/synth, drums, acoustic guitar).

When I’m not working on productions in the studio you can usually find me out on the road with folk rocker Allison Mahal.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to build a community of artists that support each other and advocate for their craft together. Though we are a new studio, I’d like to see a world where the money doesn’t come from our artist’s pocket. We help as much as we can to push them closer to that goal.

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

Make it normal to support local artists. I know that phrase is well-worn but it still rings true. You’ll probably discover an artist you genuinely like and be lifting up your local community. Also, practice appreciating music as art. There’s so much that goes into it and so many stories behind every song. Dive in and enjoy it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovegrove-studios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanmusicful/

Image Credits
Meno Mosso Photography Matt Blum