Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dan Kincaid. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dan, 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?
We, as artists, strive to create something profound and provocative. Creativity is an exercise in trial and error. When inspiration is absent, we have only one choice. And that is action. If we wait for inspiration, we often find ourselves motionless and unable to move forward. One thing that I have learned is that even if you’re uninspired, you have to keep trying. If you create something that you’re unhappy with, that’s fine. You had to work through that to get to the next work of art. We learn from our experiences; we learn nothing by standing still. Never let the fear of failure paralyze you.
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?
Sure! I’m a singer, songwriter, and guitarist based in Los Angeles. Originally from Boston, I felt the pull of Hollywood in 2000 and made the move to chase my musical dreams.
In LA, I’ve fronted bands like Spit Out Star, SuperNo, and Six Days ’Til Sunday. I also played bass for the band Synical.
Teaming up with producers Christian Eigner of Depeche Mode and Niko Stoessl, we crafted my solo album, “Persona Non Grata.”
The album is about life, love, and facing demons, born out of dealing with severe PTSD from a hostage situation in 2002. It’s my journey back to self-discovery, sharing the path from darkness to perseverance through my music. But the emotions in this album hit on everyday human struggles too. Releasing these songs, I’ve realized they’re not complete until someone listens and weaves their own story into them.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Passion: Be passionate about what you create. Let your soul speak through your art. Some things need to be said, so say them. But say what’s in your heart. They will see and hear it.
Honesty: Be honest and tell people your truth. Show them your greatness and your weakness. Everyone in this world is searching for answers. Don’t try to be the answer for everyone. Instead, pass on your knowledge and experience. Everyone experiences things differently. In most cases, your art will speak to them in a way your words never will.
Fearlessness: It’s okay to say things that are provocative. It’s okay to make people think, even if they don’t have the same life experiences or don’t agree with you. Speak your truth through your art. Life is not all rainbows and sunny days. Sometimes you end up in an experience that changes all you used to be. Express yourself through your art the way you see fit. Don’t create to please others.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I feel overwhelmed all the time. Here’s how I deal with it:
There is no problem that can’t be solved with the right approach. For me, if I have a complex task to complete I ask myself “What is the first step in solving this issue?” If I look at it as a one giant task that needs to be completed, it can become overwhelming.
Then I break the task down into steps from there. In list form, problems become single steps, which become less overwhelming.
To do lists are kind of a comfort for me, and each step takes you closer to your end goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: dankincaidmusic.com
- Instagram: @dankincaidmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dankincaidofficial/
- Twitter: @dankincaidmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLZqiSJQiB1go-KFRaB6DlQ
Image Credits
Photos – Brandon Showers
