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

Will, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Think about the times you’ve learned a craft. You worked really hard on something, every day, and put yourself in the position to get better. While some of my creative ideas and techniques have seemed like “lightning strikes” of inspiration, they’ve mostly been built from habit, and pushing myself to experiment and grow.

The skills and discoveries that were most essential to me came from seemingly random opportunities–you need to put yourself out there, work with others, and learn from others. Being in bands and other collaborative projects, including with curators and others, has kept me learning to refine and shape what I do.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure! I do a lot of things. I think what sets me apart most currently is my spatial music–essentially, music you can walk through. Most of my musical technique was grounded in harmony, space, and rhythm, but I now compose using physical space and movement, building soundscapes in actual places. It’s completely changed how I think about and write music. For instance, whenever I write a traditional song, it starts and stops the same way. If I’m scoring a huge atrium, and someone walks in the side door, they’re walking in right in the “middle” of the piece–so how do you compose thinking in that way?

I’m most proud of two things. First is my work in disability and accessibility, where I’ve helped organizations make major strides toward more accessible outputs. I believe one of our greatest strengths in this country is our diversity of thoughts and perspectives, and enabling that has been immense. Secondly is my work in my band Wall of Trophies. Linear music is really about emotions and journeys, and our work glides through genres to really get our hearts out into the world. Wall of Trophies has helped me understand who I really am. At our core I think we’re all wired to be storytellers, and I love to bring my stories, woven into my bandmate Brittany’s stories, to life.

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

100% put more support into accessibility and disability programs. This empowers the best and brightest ideas, and helps everyone see the world from a different perspective. In essence, that’s what the best art is supposed to do in the first place, right? Give others different perspectives on the world. You can manifest that but supporting these programs, and create more art from there. I am a thriving creative because of my involvement, and benefit from, these programs.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There are rare, magical moments when you see someone enjoying your art–either as you intended or didn’t–that are simply indescribable. But those are rare–I think you HAVE to find fulfillment within your artistic process itself, and not rely on external validation, if you’re going to find the drive to always keep going. My process helps me figure out who I am, connect at a deep level with others, and lets me express myself in ways I couldn’t otherwise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.willcopps.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willcopps
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/williamcopps/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcopps/
• Twitter: https://x.com/willcopps
• Other: Wall of Trophies can be found @walloftrophies or at walloftrophies.com