Community Spotlight: Have you heard about the online publication SWORN BY SOUND from California?
Today, we're happy to share with you our conversation with the owner of SWORN BY SOUND, Sean, from California.
We wanted to get to know a little bit more about who they are, how they got into their field, and where they're headed on their creative journey. Here's how it went:
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Sean! We're excited to have you as our next feature to learn more about you and your online publication. Let's start this off with you sharing exactly what it was that initially drew you to your craft, and how has your journey unfolded since then?
Sean: I grew tired after seeing artists misrepresented by big publications due to not having enough research done on the artists. This encouraged me to launch my own magazine, Sworn by Sound! It’s an online publication for music lovers where all music genres can be heard by fans for fans. Bringing in people to work with me who have somewhat of a following within their communities helps spread our name as well as an appreciation for what we do!
Can you share some insights into your creative process? Where do you find inspiration, and how do you translate that into your work?
Sean: In the business of concert photography, we have people who cover every genre that way no one is left doing a show they don’t want to do. I would argue how apparent it is in their work when one of our photographers and writers are doing a show that they’re excited about! I’m learning how to handle Sworn by Sound as I go, so when I find inspiration that strikes me it usually takes a while to translate. After enough time and effort, I'm able to do so, because Sworn by Sound is my baby and I want nothing but the best!
What projects are you currently working on, and what excites you the most about them?
Sean: Well obviously, we have our beautiful show reviews and galleries that are always something awesome to look at. We recently just launched indigo stage sessions on our YouTube that you could look at on Instagram, essentially it is a recorded live music session with artists to promote their new music! We are so inspired by NPR: Tiny Desk, as well as the COLORS: A COLORS SHOW series, so we wanted to take what they did and add our own little twist!
Looking back on your career so far, what would you consider to be your proudest achievement or most memorable moment?
Sean: There are a few achievements that almost bring me to tears when I think about them, the first one being when someone replied to our story saying they discovered new music through us. It’s generally such a small thing, but that’s exactly what we aim to do, to show people new music they might not have found out about otherwise, hell I've even found some great new music through the business as well! My second achievement was being invited to an album release party under the name Sworn by Sound. It was a huge moment for me as the owner of SBS because it meant I had finally made some relationships and they recognized SBS as someone they'd want to work with. We have such a long way to go before we get to “Rolling Stone Magazine” or “Billboard” but it’s a great start!
How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in your field, and what advice would you give to aspiring creatives facing similar obstacles?
Sean: It’s definitely harder to navigate setbacks when you're so invested in a project, but by surrounding myself with amazing people who know more than me in certain fields I can make up for my lack of knowledge and mitigate those setbacks! My advice is: you have to love your projects like it’s your own even if it’s not. People will see you and want to help or invite you to more projects which is so crucial as a creative to learn and to grow from. Secondly, surround yourself with professionals in areas that you necessarily aren't, being a creative is about making something new and if the right people are next to you there won’t be any issues brainstorming ideas and bringing projects to life with love!
In an industry constantly evolving, how do you stay innovative and relevant while maintaining your unique voice/style?
Sean: We try to keep aesthetics in mind at all times when working on projects. Which is something that we think the bigger magazines lack as well, also keeping in tune with the idea that is a magazine by fans for fans. We work within the community to bring a better sense of connection from our website to the fans!
What do you hope audiences or consumers take away from your work, and what impact do you aspire to make in your industry?
What do you hope audiences or consumers take away from your work, and what impact do you aspire to make in your industry?
Sean: We just hope to bring fans more joy in showing them their favorite artists through their perspective in a professional setting as well as introducing people to a huge variety of music they might not have known about otherwise.
Lastly, what message or piece of wisdom would you like to share with your fans, or anyone inspired by your journey?
Sean: The hardest part is starting. Just do it already.
Sean, thank you again for giving us the chance to get to more about you. Now, the floor is yours, share with us the links people can use to find more of your work, as well as any special announcements or projects you have coming up in the near future!
Our website: Sworn By Sound
Our Instagram: SwornBySound (@swornbysound) • Instagram photos and videos
Our YouTube: Indigo Stage Sessions w/ Lydia Ganada (youtube.com)
Our Twitter: https://x.com/swornbysound?s=21
Sean, thank you again for giving us the chance to get to more about you. Now, the floor is yours, share with us the links people can use to find more of your work, as well as any special announcements or projects you have coming up in the near future!
Our website: Sworn By Sound
Our Instagram: SwornBySound (@swornbysound) • Instagram photos and videos
Our YouTube: Indigo Stage Sessions w/ Lydia Ganada (youtube.com)
Our Twitter: https://x.com/swornbysound?s=21
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