No more starving artists. Singer/songwriter Juliana Finch believes everyone has a story to tell and that the best way to create is from a well-nourished place. We talk about self-care for artists, online communities, how not to quit and Juliana’s three rules. We also discuss Juliana’s response to being told to “shut up and sing” (can you believe the nerve?).  You’ll hear Nasty Weather, her song that triggered that particular comment!

“A Georgia-born, North Carolina-based singer/songwriter with strong Americana roots, Juliana earns her spot in a long tradition of storytelling songwriters with a sultry, soothing voice and carefully crafted lyrics.

For the past few years, Juliana has been a full-time artist, creating The Bedhead Music Series on YouTube and playing online streaming shows. She’s played iconic venues like Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta and The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, festivals like the Rombello Cruise, Nashville Pride, Ladyfest South and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and fan-hosted house concerts across the United States.

Earlier this year, she released an album that was funded on Kickstarter in just eleven hours. “Way Down” is about perseverance and hope in hard times.”

For more information on Juliana, her music, and her patreon, visit:

Website- www.julianafinch.com

Juliana’s Newest Album, “Way Down”- https://music.julianafinch.com/

Juliana’s Patreon- www.patreon.com/julianafinch

This episode is brought to you by the Soapboxers, the official patrons of the Artist Soapbox. If you like these episodes and want more, get on the Soapbox! This episode was recorded at Shadowbox Studio. Artist Soapbox theme music by Bart Matthews. Additional audio editing by Merrybelle Park Productions.

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Time break-down:

[0:00] Episode intro and Juliana’s bio.

[1:54] What brought Juliana to North Carolina and what its been like for her here these past two years

[3:12] Juliana’s life as a musician, touring vs. being home, and a musician’s “season”.

[6:02] Moment of discovery: Was there a moment where Juliana realized she could kick ass a singer/songwriter?

[9:57] Juliana shares about her passion for the well being of artists, knowing that artists don’t have to suffer or starve to be artists

[16:12] Why Juliana has wanted to quit in the past and what made her “not quit”.

[20:57] The tricks that keep Juliana going and make her a productive artist

[23:58] Juliana describes how her songs are born

[26:39] Attitude of abundance, and uncorking when you get stuck

[28:03] We talk about Juliana’s newest album, “Way Down”, and her shift to writing a more “obviously feminist” album

[31:13] The “shut up and sing” story

[34:39] Juliana talks about forming her strong community and following online and off, and finding ways to make her own work

[39:15] How Juliana manages her online presence and community

[40:31] Connecting by understanding the process

[41:41] Juliana’s three rules: what they are, how she came up with them, and how they have served her

[44:33] Thanks, sign-off, and Juliana’s song, “Nasty Weather”

Takeaways

• Artists do not have to starve or suffer to be an artist
• The connection between artist and audience creates a responsibility
• Tell yourself it’s not an insurmountable task
• Have a dedicated work space
• Output before input: Create before you take in other “stuff”
• Do good work, be generous, and don’t quit
• You have to do the work
• Consume works by artists who don’t do the same type of art as you

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Quotes from Juliana:

• I think ever since I was a child I observed, and knew right away, that this idea that the “starving artist”, or the “mad artist”, was BS.
• Everything we do everyday has art involved in and yet artists are valued a lot less than I think they should be and I think part of that is this idea that, “you’re supposed to be crazy and you’re supposed to suffer and starve”, and if people really believe that artists are supposed to be starving they’re not going to want to pay them.
• “Shutting up” and singing are opposites of one another