We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steve DeMott a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Steve, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
It’s important to feed yourself to stay creative. For me, that means making sure I have downtime to think about and play with new ideas.
It’s also really important to have interaction with other people in your field. Having people around you that you can turn to for inspiration, and to gut check your decisions, is vital. I also think it helps to go and teach what you have learned to others. Taking on interns/assistants, or whatever you want to call it, really helps you because you are forced to express what you know in a way someone else can understand. Having someone asking questions about what you are doing and/or teaching is a great way to help you push boundaries.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Could you imagine a world without music? Okay, maybe we could do without elevator music, but could you imagine no concerts, no music in shows or movies. No favorite song to sing when you’re happy…or sad?
I’m in the enviable position of doing what I love. My job is multifaceted. As an engineer, I record other artists and help them present their art to the world. As a producer I help artists realize their vision for their art. I help them polish the rough edges and give them the support & resources for them to succeed. As a songwriter I get to create my own art, tell the story of my life through song. And as a musician I get to incorporate all the other roles and help create & play the music.
I also compose music for shorts & movies. In fact, I recently finished a feature length horror movie call The Girl Who Cried Her Eyes Out for Mimage Pictures. The trailer is up on YouTube, the release is happening very soon.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The music industry is unique in that you need to have at least some raw talent. You have to be a creator, in some sense, to get invited to the party. Beyond that, it’s really no different than any other pursuit.
When I give advice to those coming up in the industry I often remind them that there are a lot of people who can do your job. The people that get called back time and again are those that can do the job, while bringing a good attitude and adding value to the project.
[1] Make sure you’re good at what you do.
[2] Never promise what you can’t deliver
[3] Always find a way to add additional value
And most importantly, grow a thick skin. rejection is part of the industry, It’s not personal, and even if it is, it doesn’t matter. Move on. never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to let me be me. They put up with band rehearsals in the garage, recording in the house, playing & practicing all hours of the day & night. They even helped me & my bands get to gigs with all our equipment. They were great in that way.
I think they just wanted me to be happy & saw how much I loved music.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stevedemott.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevedemott/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevedemottmusic
