We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kyle Leatherman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kyle , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Hm, That’s a good question. I think it’s different for everybody. I think you have to have a strong passion for what you do, but at the same time you need to learn that it’s ok to take breaks – hours, days, maybe even weeks sometimes. I have so much creative output that it isn’t just focused on music. I like to write, draw, design, built, etc.
For me, when I start getting burnt out on the music, I’ll switch to another creative output until I get that drive again! Also it helps when you don’t focus on the same type of music, I like to switch genres when things start to feel repetitive. It helps a-lot!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I love to make music, I love to make people laugh and spread good vibes on my pages. Music is special to me because I feel like I really connect with it. The way some beats or sounds make me feel, the lyrics I write and the stories I tell. It’s all a great experience to me. I love to vent my feelings thru music and I also love when other people relate to my songs. I’m not a big artist by any means but I have so much fun doing what I do that I’d be surprised if I ever stop. I’m currently working on my second album and it’s been a whole different vibe, I’m having so much fun with it!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
You have to love what you do, don’t do it for money, or fame, or anything like that. Do it because you have fun and passion for it, do it because you love it,
You have to have determination, people love to give up when then put in the work and get nothing in return. Unfortunately that’s just how this game is. What they don’t see is they are slowly building a portfolio and at the same time bettering their craft. You truly never know how close you are to success.
You can’t be afraid of being judged. Making any kind of content – especially music, puts you in a very vulnerable position. You can’t be afraid of eyes on you or people hating. It’s funny because 1 bad comment can override 10 compliments, believe me I’ve been there.
Just stay true to yourself, follow your heart and have fun!
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My attitude.
First I was using music to vent my anger, depression, the way I looked at the world.
I was trying to make music I THOUGHT people would want to listen to, not what I wanted to make.
After dropping my first album – my perspective changed and now I make music for me. I like putting funny jokes or lil Easter eggs in my songs, I like to be positive and see the world in a different light now. Things have been so different recently and honestly I’m having a blast doing it haha. It’s been a whole new vibe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artist.link/UtaK
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealutak?igsh=OWpiMWh3cjB4d21w&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@utak?si=CisC0vYBkHSVcmLB
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
