We recently connected with VÂN SCOTT and have shared our conversation below.

VÂN, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2021, I left the music career that I grew up knowing in LA to go back to school in New York City. I only knew how to make a living with my part-time job leading worship at a church and singing for recording sessions in Hollywood. But the pandemic had slowed me down enough to realize that I was done with creating my own music on the side. After a successful Kickstarter campaign in the fall of 2020, I self-released my debut album in July 2021. But with most LA venues still out of commission and the internet being oversaturated with artists seeking attention, I had to brainstorm other ways to move my fledgling career as a performer and songwriter forward. When I heard of a new Songwriting & Production Master’s program at BerkleeNYC directed by my friend, Will Wells, my interest was piqued. I was excited at the idea of living in a new city and formally studying a craft that I had only toyed with through limited experience. On the other hand, that would mean putting my work as a session singer on pause and leaving a church job that had been a steady source of income for most of my adult life. I must say, though, that the risk was absolutely worth it. I took the leap and travelled clear across the country on my own to follow and fuel my true passion. I had the time of my life in a new place, meeting wonderful people, growing as a person, and forging more connections in the precise direction I wished my career to lead. I’m back in LA now, but that’s also by choice. I now know more of the tough substance that I’m made of and I’m more focused than ever on doing the work that brings me the most joy.

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’m just a kid from Florida who moved to California half-way through high school with his family. I always wanted to do music, but I really believe it was divine orchestration for me to arrive on the West Coast. It was through singing at church that I got my first opportunity in the industry. My very first recording session was at Capitol Records singing for Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year. It was an absolute dream! Since then, I’ve been able to sing for a long list of blockbuster films and TV projects, including The Voice, The Oscars, and even an on-screen feature on ABC’s Black-ish. Now, though, my focus has shifted to my own artistry. I had a growing desire to execute my own musical vision rather than simply accomplish someone else’s. I’m quite proud of the risk I took the last couple of years to make that career shift and to pursue my passion wholeheartedly. I have a strong affinity for fellow creatives and a deep love for the collaborative process, particularly bringing stories to life through song. Music is the means by which I get to connect with others through shared experience, and when I get to encounter that in-person with other people there’s really no comparison.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ll use an example from just this past week. I’m in Nashville right now for a few shows and writing sessions. The mere investment of my time and resources to make that kind of a trip from LA could lead some to think that I must “have it all together” and I’m “making it happen.” The reality is that I found myself so overwhelmed with all the tasks on my to-do list (I’m still essentially just a one-man team) that I spent last Thursday afternoon paralyzed with anxiety on the floor of my parents’ house. The worst thoughts of assumed failure raced through my head. I don’t often extend any grace to myself, which is something I’m still working on. Eventually, I had to get up because I had a show that evening. When I took to the stage, I pushed through the mental hurdles and focused on giving my best performance possible. At first, it seemed like a snooty, uninterested crowd, but afterwards I had a fellow artist tell me I was the best act he’s seen come through the place! Another girl came up to me and invited me to perform at a separate event tomorrow as a featured artist! It was a roller coaster. But that’s exactly what our careers as creatives are. There will be feasts. There will be famine. There will be moments of pinching yourself because you’re living the dream and other moments where you’re despondent and motionless on the floor. The best thing we can do is learn to take it all in stride. No level of success is promised so it would do us all good to simply enjoy the process!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Community, community, community. Maybe that’s obvious or falls more naturally for some, but I spent far too much time trying to do everything on my own. As an artist, you may have a singular vision, but that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. My singer community in LA was always a tremendous source of encouragement for me early on in my career. I also rediscovered the tremendous value of community with my cohort in New York City as part of my Master’s program at BerkleeNYC. I can’t think of any better support system than to surround yourself with like-minded individuals to not only hold each other up, but also inspire and spur each other on to new heights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vanscottmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanscottish/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanScottMusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanscottish
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-lpmPrVHd3jl1DulusyXA
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yJ0GEh8MflnyDkVyR7V58?si=ach-ueQ9S1-8WKrvSnbrFQ&nd=1
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/v%C3%A2n-scott/304157720
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vanscottish?lang=en

Image Credits
Elaine Tantra, Cory O’Connell