Swardy discusses the intersection of art and commerce, sharing his journey from hiring teams to taking full responsibility for every aspect of his career. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of being an independent musician, the importance of self-reliance, and why waiting for opportunities isn’t an option. If you’re an artist navigating the music industry, this is a must-watch!
Key Topics:
- The challenges of balancing creativity and business in music
- The transition from working with a team to managing everything solo
- Why full responsibility is both liberating and challenging
- How taking control impacts creative freedom and decision-making
- The realities of financial management as an independent artist
- The mindset shift from waiting for opportunities to creating them
Quotes:
- "Taking full responsibility for every part of it is satisfying—even when it feels like there's a ceiling."
- "If something’s got to get done, I got to do it."
- "When things went well, I took credit. When they didn’t, I had someone else to blame. That had to change."
- "I’m not waiting for some opportunity—if I can’t do it, then it’s not a good idea."
- "Going solo means no excuses—it keeps things moving along."
