We recently connected with Paul Vinsonhaler and have shared our conversation below.
Paul , 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?
For me, being creative is a necessary and essential aspect of my life. The strange thing is that I really didn’t realize this until later on in my life. Without sounding dramatic it almost feels as important as getting good sleep or eating well ect…It seems to be another basic component that I need to be fully myself an healthy. That doesn’t mean I’m creating all day everyday, but I do notice when a certain amount have time has gone by without being creative in some form or fashion. But as far as sustaining my creativity and keeping it alive, I think that hinges on a few things – one is what I just mentioned, its apart of who I am at a deep level, two I am constantly consuming inspiring art across many mediums, and last I have always had a desire to participate in things that bring me joy rather than only being a bystander. In a nutshell, I think I will continue to be creative as long as I am inspired by something and feel something. My biggest challenge is learning what to prioritize and narrow my focus on, and what I can truly spend my time, energy and money on. I have to many interests and passions.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m someone who loves art in general, but I have mostly gravitated towards music. Since 2010 I have been building my skills and home studio as a film composer and musician/producer. That has now evolved into other projects such as my new atmospheric pop band Susurra, along side singer songwriter Brian Matthew Kruzan, and starting a new solo black metal project Blood Resignation this year. With all those different facets, it allows me to create music in a variety of roles, genres, and contexts – which for me is very exciting.
The Independent film scoring is really where things started moving from just a hobby in previous years to something a little more focused/serious…I began working on short films and have sense had the pleasure of working with many different talented people over the years. This role is extremely rewarding and interesting since I am helping someone else realize their vision in more of a support role. I tend to be more reactionary with a lot of my ideas so having a script and something on screen keeps the ideas flowing. I especially love diving deep in to the story and concepts. My goal is to squeeze in a couple film projects a year if I can. I would love to keep this going for as long as I can.
Susurra band started officially last year – we released our first EP. But things began a couple years ago when I reconnected with my current bandmate Brian Matthew Kruzan when he moved back to Memphis. I helped him with a music video for his solo project, then he approached me soon after wanting to write some music that was a bit darker in tone – I was all in. Brian is more on the singer songwriter and pop side of things and offers many different talents that I do not have. For this band I do my best to react to his lyrics and song structures with a variety of additional instrumentation/melodies and different production elements. We since released a music video, played our first live show, and have a new full length album coming very soon that I can’t wait for people to hear. We hope to play more shows later this year. Out of all the things I have worked on in my musical journey, this album is easily my proudest moment.
My solo black metal project Blood Resignation began earlier this year. I released my first EP and have a limited run of cassettes available. I hope to release some merch and begin writing some new music at the end of the year. This project began really for two reasons: a necessary charge for healing and rebellion. The other is simply to keep playing guitar more regularly. This project spawned from a very personal place and I don’t see myself doing anything live – but we’ll see. Black metal is and forever will be one of my favorite genres of music.
Outside of film scoring and those two bands, I also release solo music under my own name from time to time. I enjoy collaborating with other artists along with remixing other peoples tracks.
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?
Perseverance, learning to communicate better, and trusting your instinct. Find out how you fit in to the world of art or whatever it is you do, stay inspired, and find people that bring other skills to the table. Treat people well.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I think it depends on what it is specifically, but in my experience, I have found it more beneficial to go all in on my strengths rather than trying to do everything. Some of that takes time; learning about your self and being honest. For me I have too many talented people around me that do certain things way better than I ever could anyway. I enjoy the collaboration and getting out of the way and giving those individuals the freedom to do what they do. I also just don’t have the time to deep dive every area that I would like. But I do think it is really important to take risks and try new things as much as you can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paulvinsonhaler.com
- Instagram: @pvnsnhlr
@susurra_band
@blood_resingation - Other: https://paulvinsonhaler.bandcamp.com
https://susurra1.bandcamp.com
https://bloodresignation1.bandcamp.com/album/the-other-side-of-the-distant-sky
Image Credits
Susurra band photos – Sam Leathers Live photo – Nathan Ross Murphy Blood Resignation photo – Sam Leathers
