Artist Spotlight: Soren Staff
Soren Staff is a musician and writer based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. As a successful songwriter and performer, he shares what inspires him, and how he is able to convey his life through music.
1. Describe how you use art and creativity in your craft as well as your everyday life.
Art and creativity are a constant presence in my life. For me, my craft and my everyday existence often go hand in hand. I’m always writing, always interpreting, and always looking for inspiration. I use my art as a release valve of sorts, taking what the world gives me and turning it into something that helps me, and hopefully others. Being creative helps me get through it.
2. When did you realize you wanted to pursue being an artistic person not only personally, but professionally? How did that change your drive to do it?
Music has always been a part of my life, and when I realized I could take my escape and turn it into a career, it changed me. I realized it could be more for me when my songs moved others. I am continually moved by art, and if I can do that for others, that continues the cycle. My drive to do it didn’t change, just the way I went about it. When you treat making art like a job, it’s important to center on the art itself. When it’s not about the art, the art suffers.
3. Do you feel like your artistic expression has changed in the last few years? If yes, how so? If not, why do you think that is?
I think so! My life within the last 5 years has changed monumentally, and it’s only natural your artistic expression changes with it. My art acts as a form of self actualization, and in working at it I’ve gotten a better idea of myself. I think I became more focused on the “why”. It’s easy to make something sound beautiful, but the reasoning behind it can lend so much meaning. Change is natural, and I’m happy to let my music change with it. Art for me is about creating things that resonate and move me, so as I change, so does my art.
4. What inspires you?
The most inspiring thing for me is relationships: be them with friends, partners, family, myself or the world around me. We humans are so damn complicated and I’m in love with the way we interact, our language. So much of what I make is a result of a conversation or moment that moved me.
5. Do you wish you would have had more opportunities when you were younger to explore your more "creative brain"? Why?
Yes, but that being said, I was given ample opportunity. I had a support system both at home and school that fostered being creative. I think that suffered in school as I progressed, because the closer to graduation you get, the more it becomes about what job you want to do. We need to focus on letting children exercise those creative muscles, and the rest can come later. My “creative brain” doesn’t only help with my art, it helps with solving problems, fostering relationships and more. We should continually be supporting those who are exploring creativity. It makes better people.
6. How do you think your physical location impacts your artistic expression? For example, are there places you feel most inspired to be creative?
I think it’s less about where I am and more about where I’m going. I love to be moving when I create. Working towards something like a song always feels like a journey. When I can pair that emotional space with actual physical movement and space, it often is inspiring. I of course love a community that is supportive of my art, but more as a place to get back to. Art for me is about change and growth, I don’t feel like staying in the same place promotes that. So if it’s a walk, a car ride to the country, or just the back and forth sway of a hammock, that’s where I think the physical part comes in.
7. What advice would you give to young folks thinking about pursuing an education or career in the arts?
Put your energy where your love is. If you’re going to make a career out of something that you love like your art, you got to be comfortable with doing that every single day for the rest of your life. Rest and space are important, but if you want to make a job out of it, you got to find something that is gonna put that burn in your belly, that fire in your stomach. Pursue the things that make you react, make you change, give you peace. If you want to succeed in a career in the arts, it’s about putting energy into that space. It’s a whole lot easier when it’s something you love.
“Pursue the things that make you react, make you change, give you peace. If you want to succeed in a career in the arts, it’s about putting energy into that space. It’s a whole lot easier when it’s something you love.”