Touring Challenges to Creative Purpose Growth & Artistic Identity | The Struggle Is Real with Swardy

In this deep and reflective conversation, Swardy and Neil discuss the real struggles artists face—from the challenges of touring to the deeper identity crises that come with creative careers. Swardy shares personal stories about his early music days, breaking down gear on stage, the importance of support communities, and the struggles of creative decision-making. How do artists push through tough times while staying true to their vision? Watch to find out.

Key Topics:

• The early struggles of being a touring musician
• The realities of building a music career from the ground up
• How perception vs. reality affects artists and their careers
• The importance of creative community and support networks
• Overcoming identity crises as an artist
• The balance between creative freedom and constructive criticism
• Why some struggles are necessary for artistic growth

Quotes:

• "We wanted to be seen as if we had a road crew… but then we’d go tell everyone it was just us."
• "The struggles I had were real, but in hindsight, I was skipping steps others didn’t get to skip."
• "Music doesn’t have inherent value—it has value because people choose to listen to it."
• "I had to step outside my normal life to really understand what made me happy."
• "Creativity is one of the few things on this planet that truly has value."
• "I gas up my artist friends all the time—sometimes too much, but I believe in what they create."