N.E.D.’s John Soper, William “Rusty” Robinson, and Will Winter – HuffPost 7.29.11
Mike Ragogna: What is your advice for new artists? And from your perspective, should they be thinking about some humanitarian element?
John Soper: We are the prototype for the saying “don’t give up your day job”…our patients wouldn’t allow it! We also aren’t the typical business model for aspiring musicians. It is hard to make a living when you donate your profits to a worthy cause. We’re doing this because we love to make music and are able to marry our passion for our work with the music in a way that is very rewarding on a personal level. It makes my day when I’ve finished seeing a patient in clinic and she asks about the band or comments that the CD hasn’t left her CD player in the car since she got it or talks about sharing the music with other people because she felt a connection to a song on the album. It has added to the quality of her life, and I believe that I’ve shared part of myself with her in a way that most physicians can’t.
William “Rusty” Robinson: LOL. We still think of ourselves as “new artists,” but if there’s anything that we learned, it’s that if you want to do something in the music business, don’t be scared. In some ways, there’s never been a better time. A new artist doesn’t need a label anymore. They barely even need a studio. Anyone who gets good enough with digital recording software on a computer can create their own studio in their home. If WE can do it, then anybody truly can! And should they be thinking about some humanitarian element? Depends on what you mean; all music and all art are “humanitarian.” Art is an attempt by one human to evoke an emotion from another human by means of a created product–words, music, paintings, etc. If you mean should they consider adding a non-profit aspect to their work, I think we should all do that in our own way. Virtually every organized religion and ethical framework calls for some sort of financial sacrifice on behalf of the less fortunate.
Will Winter: Well, that is interesting. We still see ourselves as the new artists. That said, from our experience over the last few years, you just need to be true to who you are. Sing and play from the heart and people will get it. The humanitarian element has to come from a passion. We are still learning everyday.