We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sean Welch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sean, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Poetry is a female dominated industry, but men go through the similar situations and have the somewhat of the same feelings, but no one speaks on it. So, because I feel that I am so outspoken, I made it a point to not only be the voice for men my age going through shit, but also to be a voice in this industry that doesn’t really shine light on men who feel shit, and that have trouble getting through shit.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a poet who has written a few books, gone on and headlined a few poetry tours, performed, virtually, overseas, & has a podcast that discusses all things poetry and other forms of art. It means a lot to do something that I love and that I feel is needed for people to read and understand. There are so many men’s truths to be told and I take pride in being the one that is able to do it effectively. Case in point, my newest book, “Red Monday” is written differently from my previous books. This one has poems that are more blunt, more straight forward and direct in a way. I allowed my alter ego, “Red”, to really take control and tell the non fluffy side of the emotions felt over the last few years.
Also, my previous book, “OSP” (Over Some Pussy) and my project, “Breaux Tales”, which was a spin on Jazmine Sullivan’s, “Heaux Tales”; with both pieces I just felt like men needed to tell their stories, so I did. I will be going on tour next year, the “OSP Tour” where I will be performing poems from all recent projects. Also there will be some interesting guests on my show KING Radio.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1: Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do or what you can or cannot say.
2: Be rebellious. Nobody ever remembers a goody two shoes. I’m not saying to fuck people’s lives up, but I am saying to stand firm in your beliefs, do what makes YOU happy, and if that means breaking rules, or upsetting people, so be it.
3: Tell your story. No matter how you choose to tell it, as long as it is your truth, it needs to be heard. Whatever you choose to do in order to get your story out, do it. You could be helping someone out, maybe someone close to you.
My advice to anyone in this industry starting out or is needing help growing within their craft is to, keep going. There are going to be people that don’t see your vision, and that’s ok, it’s your job to show them. It’s ok if they don’t get it, it’s ok if they didn’t like it, there is someone that understands you and the purpose of your vision. They need you. So keep going.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
You know, I have to pray on that. There are people that say that I don’t collaborate or “Sean doesn’t show love to other artists” which is not true. I am very selective about who I choose to work with and who I allow to write with me. I am completely open to the idea of collaborative poetry, but honestly I have to be somewhat of a fan of yours, I have to be moved emotionally, mentally, in order to actually collaborate and connect with someone poetically.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seanwelchwrites.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanwelchunwritten
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/seanwelchwrites
