Meet A.G. Sully

We recently connected with A.G. Sully and have shared our conversation below.

A.G. Sully, 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?
I’ve been reading this book for quite some time now (I say “quite some time” as I’m a very slow reader and I get distracted easily and can only read a few pages at a time) and the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, refers to ideas as energies, or almost spirits, that cross your path and you can either take them and use them or not. If you don’t, someone else will. And that’s okay. It’s okay to rest and let that specific creative spirit move on to the next person. So, I think for me it’s not so much keeping my creativity alive, it’s understanding that creativity is living and breathing, and moving in and out of our minds and spaces. I hope I don’t sound too “woo woo”, but I really do believe that creativity is immortal, it’s just whether or not we choose to let it in, rather than “keeping it alive.”

Now, with that, just as any other living creature, creativity has to be nurtured, fed, watered. For me, that looks like making space. It looks like cancelling plans when I know I need time to make something, or if there’s an idea tugging at me that I have to get out. It’s trying new things or developing new skills, like lately, I’ve been making clay charms and necklaces and learning to use my sewing machine. Which have nothing to do with music, but it’s still creating and thinking. It’s getting good rest and exercising (unfortunately that part is true ha) but also having wild nights that inspire new song ideas.

I’m also not always actively creating. I will go through extreme dry seasons where I feel like I can’t write anything or like nothing is inspiring me. But creativity always comes back, at the right time, when I’m available to nurture it properly.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m A.G. Sully, I write music and sing what I write. I am, everyday, trying to be the most authentic version of myself, and most the time that sounds like alternative, somewhat indie, soul music. I really believe my music is genre-less, but if I had to pin it down, I would call it that! I think my music speaks to the sensitive person, someone who is introverted and shy, but has a lot of thoughts going on upstairs. Someone open-minded and expressive who loves organic sounds and sultry vocals mixed with modern drums and concepts. I’ve been A.G. Sully since 2021 but started writing songs around 2018, and so far it’s been a beautiful journey of learning new parts of myself and being able to share those parts with others, with hopes to connect.

I released my first album in 2o21, titled “Space To Think” and it touches on introspection and mental illness, and means a whole lot to me. Since then I’ve released a couple of singles, and actually have one song set to release on Halloween this year! It’s called “White Flag” and is about letting go of someone who, as much as you wanted it to be different, wasn’t good to you or for you.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Self-esteem: knowing your potential and worth, and even if you’re not where you want to be yet, treating yourself with respect and care. Treating yourself as someone who will be successful (and you already are if you’re taking the steps to follow your passion)!!

2. Discipline: it’s just not going to fall in your lap….ever… without working hard and being disciplined

3. As a musician, studying the greats, going back decades and decades, studying what makes songs stand the test of time! Knowing your genre, knowing albums, etc

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
It’s so strange pursuing a career as an artist in 2023. Everything is online, nothing seems real, and everyday almost feels like an existential crisis. It can be hard to find direction or momentum as an independent artist who is self-funding everything. It’s a beautiful journey, but also really hard most days. I try to bask in the small victories and remain hopeful, and continue working hard. Losing hope is the worst thing I can do. Also, remembering why I love making music- it was never about the money or the career..it was always just a genuine love for singing and writing.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
1: Chance Eller 2. Trusiifuu 3. Zayne Isom 4. Christian Munoz

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