Meet Benign Envy

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

Benign Envy, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I struggled with the way I looked a lot growing up and always wondered if I would feel comfortable in my own skin. The only pretty part of me I knew was music and songwriting. I used my songs to remind me how genuinely beautiful I can be underneath it all. I started to make choices with my physical appearance as well that made me feel good about myself and make me the me I wanted. A prime example of this was dyeing my hair green, I’ve never felt more myself. I had a goal in my mind of who I wanted to be seen as and I worked to meet it. I also realized through this that I had been the sole reason I didn’t feel confident and happy. Not my looks, or my surroundings. It’s not about being the best at something, it’s about feeling like the best version of yourself. It was a long process of getting to know and love myself, but I’m grateful every day that I had the patience to sit with myself and grow.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Envy, well that’s what people know me as. Benign Envy is my stage name for the songs I write and perform. I had chosen this name as I felt that I wanted to present to the world the progress that I’m constantly going through in my image and self-love. People always see the word “envy” and think of it as negative, but in my case, it was always motivating. In my brain I see something that I am not, but aim to be my own version of it. That’s why I went with “Benign Envy” as it is the version of envy that makes you want to progress and change into something better. I want listeners and fans to be motivated by this idea, and want to do more for themselves. Change is good, transformation is a necessary part of life in order to find which version of you shines the brightest. I hope I can inspire that in other people. If you want the full message, you can check out my song “E is for Envy” which I wrote all about this idea of being better than you think you are, you just have to look for 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?
I’ve been through a lot of transformation in my career and life and when I look back, I see three different parts of me that sparked the most change. The first is my willingness to try new things in order to reach my goals. I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts where most people stay and let their lives play out. I wanted to be the one who chose my fate and see what else is out there, so I moved to Los Angeles straight out of high school and never looked back. That had always been the biggest turning point in my career, it’s led me to places I never thought I’d go. I also admire the visionary in myself. I don’t know where some ideas come from sometimes but they always have a way of popping into my head in such a visual way which makes me want to put them into reality. For example, my artistry came out of nowhere. I actually wrote this song called “Poison” a while back that made me want to wear green everything. My hair became green, my style green and black. I wanted to be dripping in green. Eventually the idea of envy being the motivating part of me met the green in the middle and both ideas create this one artist image. That has been a skill I am so lucky to have in my journey. Lastly, I feel that the people around me who are so talented are a huge reason why I am who I am. I am able to learn from their strengths and talents and incorporate them into me in my own way. I also feel lucky to have them around as they motivate and support me. I feel like having people you can rise with in this industry is so important and beautiful, and I’m thankful to have that. For anyone that would like to become an artist I would say that is the most important thing to look for. Talented people that compliment you and what you are doing that you can work and build with. Connections are a big part of the industry, so don’t feel scared to make them. I would also say never give up on yourself and what you are trying to give to the world. The most attractive thing in an artist is their individuality, don’t let that be taken away by trying to be something you are not. Always be true to your artistry.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
The music industry is a hard place to survive and thrive in. You’re always questioning the hard work put in and the progress you’re making. When I feel overwhelmed by all of this, I try to think back to why I make music. Going to the root of my love for music, it’s the genuine happiness it brings to me and to others. I remember picking up a guitar and singing with my sisters whenever we had people over. Everyone would sing along to songs that we all love for their words and meaning. That’s a feeling I want to recreate over and over again. That’s the real reason I make music. I care about that more than I care about the worry. To me the struggle is worth it because I get to do what I love.

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Image Credits
Mathias Fau – viper room and whisky a go go photos Emily Smith – Whisky a go go photo on knees Krystine Rivera – Artist Photo Heather Kathryn – BLAKE Cover Photo

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