Meet Curt Barlage

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

Curt, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
It’s an ongoing process, but I feel it comes from peeling back the layers. If we can learn to silently reflect upon ourselves, silently meaning without emotional reaction, I feel you can reach into those early traumatic events and the young age, social conditioning that pretty much affects every human being. In those elements are the roots of the imposter syndrome (along with many other psychological conditions). The self-judgement, the comparisons, etc. It’s all there. We can then begin to understand it, to dissect it and confront it. There’s such a climate of competition and standards set in modern day society. It really isn’t healthy for creativity and the arts. Or for life in general. Then you put a price tag on everything and ‘boom!’. Takes the enjoyment right out of it. I’m not saying that I don’t consider making a living with music and writing. I welcome the opportunities with wide open arms when they come, but that concept doesn’t rule over the love and excitement for it.

I am, by no means, completely rid of any of my perceived hang-ups. Although, in more recent years, I’ve learned how to be gentle with myself and not put so much pressure on concepts like goals and accomplishments, but rather be present with whatever project I endeavor in. Being really present in the creative process brings out the best of my work. In that state, I’m essentially ready for any ideas that may crash straight into my heart. Without any judgement or expectation of what it is and where it should go.

I’m now enjoying writing, performing, essentially everything, just as much as I did when I first started my creative journey many years ago.

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 was born and raised in Los Angeles and have primarily been an active musician and songwriter most of my life. An undying passion for music surrounds my existence and I love presenting it in any form possible. Whether it be through live or online performances, recordings, scoring films, producing for other artists, etc,. I couldn’t escape it if I tried…and I have tried. I also write, mainly poetry, and have been operating a record label/ multi-media community called Respectful Lust Records for the last 6 years. In more recent times, I’ve been hosting guided meditations, for in person classes and online. The concepts of meditation and spiritual practices have really helped me understand myself and I want to be able to share those experiences with others that are seeking the inner wisdom in the hopes that they too will find its benefits within their own lives.

I’ve been in a fleet of different bands and musical projects throughout the years. The Bixby Knolls, Murci and Red Hearts White Ribbons to name a few. Now, I release my music as a solo artist under my own name. There’s three singles out and have a debut, full-length album in the early stages of production. There are some video projects and short films in the making as well being released in 2023 through Respectful Lust.

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?
As far as being an artistic creator, I would have to say patience is a big one. As common as it is preached, it still holds an important factor of letting creativity flourish to its potential. Not patience for results of expectations, but for your own process and for however it affects the social environment around you. Big or small.

Paired with the patience, it’s essential to be prolific and available at all times to the process of creativity. You can’t force creativity, but you can give it an opportunity. It’s not all going to be something that fulfills your artistic desires but it won’t come to you sitting on a couch, wishing it’ll come to you. And oh, I’ve been guilty of that. But having time allotted and a space in which you can do your work is, in my opinion, important. It doesn’t matter how extravagant or ‘professional’ your space is. Look, a lot of us live in the city and if you’re not blessed by a trust fund or winning the lottery, it’s challenging to have that time and a space. But that’s where you get creative on top of the creativity. Make it work somehow. You can do it.

Another is being open-minded. Whether you’re working with others or just being open-minded within yourself. Often, it is very rewarding to step away from what you think it should be or what you think is right and let the situation that surrounds you dictate the path of your work. Or let the ideas of others come into play if you’re in a scenario that includes creative partners. Many times if we invite and include the abundant sources of creativity that surround us, the creation becomes all the more unexpectedly magical. It can take time plus trial and error, but that’s where the patience comes in.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
There’s been so many, but I have to give credit where credit is due to ‘Be Here Now’ by Ram Dass. It sat on a shelf in my home for a few years, but like so many good books, just found the right time and place to infiltrate my life. Along with other events in my life around the time I had read the book, it initiated a different understanding of myself and my experiences. It’s a collection of short quotes based on conscious perception and spirituality with some practices in the second half, but I think its brief and straight-to-the-point ideologies are so impactful because it reaches out to you like a familiar friend. It’s not preachy or demanding, just very…human.

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