We recently connected with Demi Michelle Schwartz and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Demi Michelle, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
As an extremely creative person, from being a songwriter to an author, imposter syndrome is something I definitely had to overcome at the beginning. Though I don’t experience this much anymore, I still do from time to time. In a world full of creative talent, it’s sometimes difficult to believe I deserve some of my accomplishments, though I’ve worked extremely hard for them, because I know there are countless others out there trying just as hard as me. Still, I’ve grown to embrace my moments of success and have found a sense of belonging in my various creative industries. When I started chasing both my songwriter and author dreams, a huge mental block for me was believing there wasn’t space for me. Knowing so many people were chasing the same dream left me feeling overwhelmed and like I wouldn’t stand out. After all, what made me special? The turning point for me was when I finally embraced the fact that I am special. Like all the other creatives, I’m one of a kind, and no one else is exactly the same. This is when I got the lightbulb moment to always, always remain authentic.
Being part of any creative industry means rejection plays a massive role. I’ve had my music ignored by platforms I’ve pitched it to, and I’ve had manuscripts rejected by literary agents. In the face of rejection, it’s easy to fall down the imposter-syndrome trap, where the doubts surrounding belonging and worthiness creep in. Still, what has kept me going is the self-belief I’ve developed over the years. Believing in myself and my talent has brought about magical moments I would’ve never experienced had I surrendered to the doubts and negative self talk.
So, for me, overcoming imposter syndrome has a lot to do with staying authentically me and believing in myself. On the hard days, I remind myself of how far I’ve come and reflect on the moments that have proven to me that I belong in the creative world.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Firstly, I’m a multi-genre songwriter and recording artist. My primary focus is pop and country, though I love exploring other genre flavors in my music. I’ve had several memorable moments during my songwriting journey so far I’d love to share. In January of 2022, my local Top 40 station, 100.7 STAR Pittsburgh, invited me to be the first artist on the morning show’s new segment, Bubba Show Live and Local Music Spotlight. Along with an interview, my popular single, “Will I Ever,” aired. This was such a wild experience for me, since I grew up listening to the morning show. Getting the opportunity to be a guest on the show was such a special moment. Something I’ve always dreamed about was attending music awards. Growing up, I wished for the chance to even walk a red carpet. In 2022, I received two nominations for the Josie Music Awards in Nashville, and that awards show became my first last October. It was a surreal experience I’m forever grateful for. This October, I’m heading back to Nashville for round two of the JMAs with three nominations for Female Multi-Genre Artist of the Year, Musician of the Year for Piano, and Media Company of the Year for Write on Track.
Another magical moment was winning my first music award. At the International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards on August 5 of this year, my sophomore project, It Is What It Is, won the bronze award for USA Female Album of the Year. This was a total surprise, and I’m so grateful I attended the awards in Atlanta and was able to accept my first music award in person. After this, I made the cover story for my local newspaper, The Penn-Franklin News, which was another pinch-me moment.
As far as what’s coming, I’m delighted to share my fourth original Christmas single, “Tinsel Heart,” is coming this holiday season. Also, I’ve finished recording for my new album. The project is called Hear Me Out, and there are eight songs. I loved returning to my pop roots for the album and enjoyed sprinkling in other genre flavors as well. Next year, there will be single releases leading to the full album release, so prepare for tons of new music.
In author land, I’m an author of young adult fiction, enjoying the mystery, thriller, and fantasy genres. I graduated with my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in 2022, before that earning BAs in Creative Writing and Music during my undergraduate education. At the moment, I’m querying literary agents, hoping to find the best champion to represent me and my books.
Finally, in the podcasting world, I’m the host of Write on Track: A Songwriting Podcast. I launched the show in May of 2021, and it’s been a magical ride ever since. It’s a goal of mine to make the show authentic and inclusive. Thus, I’ve had the honor of having genuine conversations with talented individuals, from independent artists like me to Emmy winners and beyond. This show has opened my eyes to others’ perspectives and experiences, and my guests are always inspiring me. New episodes drop every other Sunday on all podcast platforms. I can’t wait to have more unforgettable conversations on the show.
I wanted to share one more thing tied to my brand. Butterflies are my symbol and have become a huge part of my personality and public image. It all happened when I wrote the lyrics, “I fall for dreams, trust butterflies, keep counting my clouds, but they don’t add to nine,” in my song, “Will I Ever.” This led to my supporters being called Butterflies, a butterfly being on my merch, finding clever ways to work butterflies into my lyrics where it fits, and so much more. Also, I love what butterflies symbolize, the idea of embracing my own metamorphosis, along with butterflies representing hope and freedom.
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?
1. Authenticity Authenticity will always, always, always be number one for me. Being authentic is truly essential, especially in a creative industry. If you’re authentic, everything naturally aligns. If someone would listen to my music, read one of my blog posts, listen or read one of my interviews, and see my social media presence, they’d get a genuine idea of who I am. Through remaining authentic, I’ve shown the world the real me, and people have gravitated toward that. Today, it’s very easy to tell who’s being genuine and who’s sharing a false public persona. For anyone struggling to embrace authenticity, the best advice I have is to really reflect on who you are. Ask yourself what you believe, what you stand for, what makes you unique, etc. Really look inward and experience moments of self-discovery. The more you understand about yourself, and why you are the way you are, the easier it’ll be to share your authentic self with the world.
2. Persistence
I can’t stress enough how much persistence is a core quality of mine. Being in subjective industries, I face a ton of obstacles and hear “no” a lot. Still, I’ve remained persistent. Even when I felt like all my hard work was crumbling away, I kept pushing forward. Each time, pushing forward has lead to another burst of hope and a moment that reminded me why I’m doing what I’m doing. Still, for anyone just getting started, it can be hard to embrace persistence. Believe me, I’ve been there. I’ve felt all the doubts. It takes a while to build up a thick skin, but trust me, the journey is worth it. If you truly love what you do and have a dream worth chasing, you’ll find the strength to keep going, even though it’s an uphill battle. So, remember the core of your dream and why you started chasing it in the first place. When things pay off, you’ll look back and realize every step led you where you are. I never imagined I’d really win a music award. Sure, I’ve dreamed of that happening, but I never thought it actually would. It took nearly four years of persistence, after releasing my debut single in 2019. I didn’t wake up the day after my first single and win an award. I persisted and worked for that accomplishment for years. Things really do take time, so embrace persistence always.
3. Knowing My Industries from the Business Side
I believe having knowledge of my various creative industries (music, publishing, and podcasting) has truly helped me take steps forward. Yes, I love writing songs and books, and yes, I love recording podcast episodes, but these aren’t just hobbies for me. I have goals to make life-long careers, so it’s absolutely essential that I understand the business sides. Along with having a masters degree and two bachelors, I’ve taken other courses, read books, attended conferences, and much more. Better understanding the business and where I fit into my chosen industries is key. So, for anyone getting started in a new industry, take every opportunity you can to learn as much as possible about the business. Having this knowledge will be extremely valuable as you chase your dream and aim to meet your goals.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Patience, no contest. Toward the end of 2022, I realized I needed to become more patient, both with myself and my dreams. So, I actually made “patience” my word for 2023 on New Year’s Day. I’ve experienced first hand how things take time, especially in the music and publishing industries. It’s easy to get frustrated with the process when things are moving slowly or not moving at all sometimes. Still, over the past year or so, I’ve started to embrace the process more, highs and lows. I’m a believer in the idea that good things take time, and that things will happen at the right times and when they’re least expected. I can honestly say I’ve had some truly wonderful moments over the past year, and I was able to enjoy those moments more because I’ve remained patient.
Also, I’ve grown more patient with myself. I have big dreams and goals, and therefore, I feel like I’m always going a thousand miles per hour and pushing myself to go, go, go. There were many moments during the past few years when I experienced major burnout because I overworked myself. Then, I got frustrated with myself for getting overwhelmed. I also felt like I was letting myself down when I took breaks. This year, though, I’ve been in the best place mentally than I have in a long, long time. Recognizing that I’m only human, and that taking needed breaks is a good thing, and also, that not having perfect days all the time is okay, has lifted such a weight off my shoulders. Honestly, I’ve been living in the present moment more, rather than looking ahead and stressing about the next thing. I’ve enjoyed small wins, and I’m taking one day at a time. I feel very happy with where I’m at right now, and I’m going to continue to work hard at being patient with myself. I still have room to grow, but this year was a huge step for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://demimschwartz.com
- Instagram: @demimschwartz
- Twitter: @demimschwartz
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/demimschwartz
- Other: Spotify – https://spotify.link/sePa9RMF4Cb
