Meet Julie Yeung

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Yeung. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Julie, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I think keeping creativity alive is a balancing act of sorts. It’s a balance between curiosity and exploration, and aligning to the bigger picture and north star.

Here are some ways that help me keep creativity alive as an artist:
1) In sessions, I try to have the right mindset – let go of expectations, be present, be mindful of self-talk.
2) follow my gut intuition & be curious – explore sounds that speak to me and create an emotional response.
3) take “productive breaks” – engage in other hobbies / creative activities
4) self-care – go to gym, nourish, journal, meditate
5) remembering my “why”
6) collaborating with other artists

What’s magical about creativity is the elements of surrender, authenticity, and trust. Although it would be nice to be able to expect or control the end product and results, creativity is oftentimes strangled when I do that. I’ve found that the more I’ve told myself that “I want to make a banger today,” the more that I wasn’t going to make a banger. Funny how that works.

Mindset aside, other things I do to find inspiration and creativity in a session are: download samples packs, synth presets, listen to more new music (both within and outside of my usual genres), exercise/take a walk, read a book, or do something else creative. In each instance, I’m giving my heart and intuition a chance to grasp onto sounds, melodies, and ideas that resonate with me, and to take those elements and bits and make them unique to me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an EDM DJ and Music Producer, and it’s been an absolute privilege to create these memorable experiences while supporting several of my favorite artists from when I first started listening to EDM. For some folks, going to events is a way to escape from reality. When I have fans walk up to me after a show with a wide grin and heartfelt compliments, I feel amazing. Ultimately, I hope that my music can inspire folks to take what they feel on the dancefloor – that freedom and joy – into their real lives, doing what they love to do and with the people they love.

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?

1) Be vulnerable – this means going to industry / networking events, saying yes to playing shows (even though it can be scary getting started).
2) Be Kind – be kind to everyone out of the goodness of your heart. Everyone is going through something that we won’t know about, so it’s best to lead with compassion and love. Plus, the world is a much smaller place than we often expect.
3) Be Curious & Have Fun – this has led me to naturally work hard while creating from the heart.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

One of my favorite books is “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. A mentor had recommended the book to me and it offered me some comforting perspectives. Some of my favorite nuggets of wisdom include:

1) It takes courage to unearth the treasures within, but never let your fear take the driver’s seat and make decisions. Rather, allow your curiosity and creativity to lead.
2) “Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them.”
3) The mindset shift that “having a genius” versus “being a genius” offers. “Having” a genius instead of “being” a genius views the creative process as collaborative and lifts a weight off for me personally, rather than making me feel more pressure / expectation to create something absolutely amazing.
4) Even a successful creative like Liz Gilbert has days where she’s not able to make anything, and her claiming that that’s part of the creative process is comforting to me.
5) Perfectionism is a version of fear that says – “I am not good enough.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Kitsune Kreations (Christopher Love)
Dakred Photography

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