FEATURE
ELIAS STRATEGOS talks about his craft, current project and more
ELIAS STRATEGOS talks about his craft, current project and more
When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?
I can’t pinpoint an exact time, but it was around 6th grade when I started in the school band. Beforehand, I would literally drum on stuff so many people would flip out because of how annoying it was.
As I continued to grow older, my love for music and drumming started crossing over into my writing and that’s when it happened. Relationships paved the way to my first songs, and I’ve been writing ever since.
To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?
It’s a wild mix of classic rock, gangster rap, and soul music. Each stage of my life had a focal point of each genre. When I was young I would listen to a ton of classic rock because that’s what I was surrounded by at the time.
When I hit my teenage years I was introduced to a lot of rap music that would pave the way to the majority of my releases today. But when I hit my early 20’s hustling in pool halls, I found my favorite genre and that soul and blues. You mix it all together and you got me.
On your current project, how did you come up with the concept?
There’s never an initial thought for a concept, it just always comes in waves. Most of the time I really don’t even feel like I’m writing what comes out. I’ve learned to tune into the feeling I get and I harness it like riding a wave. Once the wave brings me close to shore, I paddle back out to catch another wave.
Normally I search for an artist to showcase their work fort album art, and then I name an album. Cross-promotion and exposure are always one of the biggest compliments of someone’s work. So that’s when the concept is complete.
What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?
As an independent its the workflow and consistent standards, I set for myself. Building a team and budgeting is difficult, but wearing so many hats at once and not just being able to focus solely on the music is the most difficult.
I’ve come to understand more than I would like about video, photography, website design, printing merchandise, graphic design, mixing and mastering, and so on. The list is soo long it would take forever. But the neat thing is, once you’ve come to understand each department and work it for yourself, you have a ridiculous amount of creative control. But, if I could just focus solely on the music, id love to see what I could actually produce.
Are you the best at what you do in your opinion?
My only competition is me. I don’t chase trends, or try to measure myself against others in the same industry, I produce art. I don’t care much for the charts because of its public opinion.
I have to produce what in me through self-expression, to find satisfaction and fulfillment in the process. If not, it would just be working another job, and not following my passion. Jobs are everyone, passions are few and far in between.
What are your plans for the near future?
Create as much content as possible, for as long as possible. Maximum exposure a consistency is the name of the game. In a place where you’re trying to get your foot in the door, you can’t afford to wait in line. I’m pushing to set as many releases and videos as possible.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank, any shout outs?
All the glory goes to God and God alone. He knows the motives of everyone’s hearts, and the only good in people is the God that lives within them anyways. My team knows who they are.
How can fans find you?
Music is located on all major platforms! Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and so on!
What suggestions do you have for other artist like yourself?
You have to get out to give back and bet on yourself every-time. most of us spend far too much time being bound by fruitless relationships, that lead to distractions, and destruction. I’m sure if we are all open to being transparent, at some point in our lives we all have succumbed to the opinions of our peers.
But I noticed for me, the more time I spent trying to please others, the less happy I would become. Ultimately, I realized no one can please people, not even God himself, so its best to focus on your calling, and finding passion in the progress.
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