We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wes Styles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wes below.

Wes, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes I’ve been fortunate enough to earn a full-time living from making music. I was always intensely interested and motivated to make music. I had music lessons (guitar and piano) starting around 6 years old, played in the jazz band in school, did talent shows, my band played the Prom lol, then local clubs. I worked in live sound as a summer job right out of high school. became interested in music production, started collecting recording equipment (free “hand me down” stuff ) and making demos, at first for my own bands, then my friend’s bands. This organically led to a side hustle of running my own recording studio. I majored in Jazz Instrumental Performance at USF in Tampa. after finishing my major requirements, I dropped out “to become a rock star” lol, having landed my first world tour in a band on a major label. After that tour, I started learning other instruments like bass and voice. I started professionally producing bands/artists in the studio and teaching, and playing in the bar scene. It was a 24/7 kinda thing lol. The pivotal point was probably recording in LA for my first solo album, and realizing that was where I needed to be for the kind of career I wanted. I had hit the ceiling of the music scene in Tampa repeatedly and visiting LA to record resonated with me in the right way. LA is now home. I’ve been here for over 20 years. I could brag about everything I’ve done in the industry since I’ve been here, but I don’t think that’s the point. What I CAN say is: If you want to make your creative passion your job, I don’t know that I have the cheat codes, but I do know very clearly the factors that contributed to my career.

I was an overachiever, very Intense and focused. I was good at this creative thing that I was so interested in. My parents were supportive.

I didn’t have a plan B, I was just determined and stubborn in the right way. And…Most importantly, being well rounded was key. Meaning I played multiple instruments, I wrote, I produced, I composed, I mixed/mastered, I taught. If it was music related, I probably did it. I was able and still able to pay my bills by doing lots of different musical things. So for me, It’s the combination of these things that amounts to an actual living.

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 have 5 solos albums released under the Wes Styles name/brand (about to release album #6)

I play in several LA bands.

I own THE FUNKY OVEN recording studios in Van Nuys.

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

LA is expensive! moving here initially was very difficult financially. it took about 3 years to really get established in the scene and make
money. It took a LOT less time to run out of money.
But I wasn’t leaving. I was just …determined to stay. and slowly,
I started to tread water, and stop drowning, then I started to swim.
and that was pretty glorious.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

When things sound really good, when you feel like you’re making good art, and when you get to help other people do those things.

Contact Info:

• Website: westunes.com
• Instagram: @wes.styles
• Youtube: @mrWesStyles

Image Credits
Steven Gonzalez