We were lucky to catch up with Shay Hayashi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shay, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
How did I overcome it? Hmm that’s a good question. I honestly don’t think I have, but oh gawd…I’ve tried. I think the bigger hurdle for me was accepting the fraudulences of being an artist. I’m never going to be the most original crayon in the box but I can take my influences and inspirations and make my formula of what I think is art – what I think is worth creating, and try not to let fear of being the imposter that I am affect that creation. I recommend reading “V is for Vulnerable” by Seth Godin to any artist, struggling or not.
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 am a drummer and songwriter from Saskatchewan, Canada but my career was based mainly out of Vancouver, B.C. That is where my first successful bands hailed from. From these bands I was lucky enough to have toured North America a couple times with an extended showcase in Mexico. When the latest project came to an end I was really being called to Los Angeles. I had only experienced L.A. through tour dates but I felt a magnetic pull to the city of angels.
I think what is unique about my drumming in current/past projects was the addition of synth while drumming. It was a challenge for me to split my brain in half and luckily impressed audiences. I owe a huge thanks to members of one of my most influential bands “The Raconteurs”. Brendan Benson and Patrick Keeler both plugged a song of theirs that I covered with combined drums and synth. It gave me a bump in social media views of the video. I already respected the shit out of those guys as artists but that was a whole nother level of kindness. Thank you.
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?
I’m going to go full white girl Pinterest here, but it’s honestly what I believe: live, laugh, love.
You need to go for it – follow that feeling that makes you giddy but also want to vomit. Don’t take yourself too seriously- there’s always going to be hiccups and nothing goes according to plan. It will work out – trust that it will. Love yourself, love others, love what you’re doing. Otherwise, what’s the fuc**ing point?
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Currently I am doing session work and keeping feelers out for the perfect project. So yes, absolutely 🙂
My style is rock/grunge/psych/pop. I’m malleable as long as the music is visceral. I’d love to co-write. I know the drummer is usually just the drummer but I need to be an exorcist of these words in my head somehow.
Oh, and I also play theremin and the saw?
Email:
[email protected]
Socials:
@phonopony
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @phonopony
- Other: https://linktr.ee/hayashi.drums
Image Credits
Photo 3-5 Chris Edmonstone Photography
Photo – 6 Bailey Morgan Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
