Based in Los Angeles, CA., singer/songwriter, producer and engineer Carli Storms releases EP Unconditionally Myself encouraging listeners to be who they are unconditionally. Read the rest of our interview down below:
Hi Carli! Great to have you here today!
Hi! It’s great to be here! Thanks for having me.
How do you balance artist life and normal life?
Well let me start by saying that it’s a lot of work; especially being an independent artist. So finding and maintaining a balance is very important. Typically, I go week by week so I don’t overwhelm myself. I make to-do lists for the normal things I need to take care of, as well as the artistic things I’d like to work on. Then I start chipping away at all of it.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t get so caught up in what other people think of you. Also, trust your intuition.
What do you see as the most important habits of successful people?
Confidence, perseverance, and healthy habits. Such as getting enough sleep, eating relatively healthy, exercising, meditating, etc. Also, maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life. You can be successful and still make time to enjoy yourself! I think that’s very important because I see a lot of artists burning themselves out by overextending themselves. It’s okay to chill sometimes, and I have to remind myself of that too.
What has been the biggest game-changer in your career thus far?
When I realized that everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Perfectionism kills creativity!
How would you describe the music you typically create?
The music I typically create has a plethora of influences and is ever-changing. I’m a big fan of 70’s and 80’s classic rock, so there are definitely elements of that in there. There’s a lot of live instrumentation mixed with electronic elements like synths. I want it to have a groovy, retro flair while still having a modern touch to it. I think I’ve found a nice balance between the two. Then I throw the Carli Storms twist on it and make it my own unique sound!
Lyrically, my music is very introspective and from the heart. My writing style is very flowing of consciousness. I just open up my heart and let it all come out. I am often sharing experiences that have really influenced my life, and I want to welcome listeners into my world by being vulnerable. I want people to listen to my music and feel like they can relate.
What does it mean to you, to be authentic?
For me, being authentic is about being true to myself and having conviction in what I do. I’m glad you asked me this because it really ties in with why I named my EP Unconditionally Myself. As I was writing the EP, I had an experience where I expressed my feelings for someone, and they tried to tear me down because of it. At first, I was upset about it because I couldn’t wrap my head around why they would treat me that way. But once I realized their reaction was only a reflection of how they felt about themselves, I found peace with the situation. I remember driving home one day, ruminating about what had unfolded, and I thought, “I’m unconditionally myself. I won’t be held back by a ball and chain.” That’s when the idea came to me to name the EP, Unconditionally Myself. I won’t sacrifice who I am just to fit in, and I want others to know that they don’t have to either! Be loving, be compassionate, be authentic! The world needs more of that. I hope by being unconditionally myself, I can inspire others to do the same.
Is there anything, in particular, you are looking forward to in 2021?
First and foremost, I’m hoping we can get Coronavirus under control. That would be great! Other than that, I’m looking forward to more growth and experiences in my life. Along with working on some new music, of course!
Please tell our readers which platforms you are most active on!
Sure! If you resonate with me I’d love to connect with you! You can find my music and social media links here:
Website: https://carlistorms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlistorms/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlistorms
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuT8vZHgR51Y-5IBzJOG3A
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/794iso78rfSITLTFYNCLQW
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/carli-storms/1434805668
Thank you for your time!
Thanks again for having me! Take care and happy holidays!
