Full Hour-Long Video Interview with Luke:

Episode Highlights:

It’s been a great experience talking with my dear friend Luke as we often too busy to sit down and dig deep on many topics. Today he brings his new single ‘emigrate‘ in his album to share with us the story behind it.

always check in with yourself what makes you happy and fulfilled…embrace the fact that it might not aligned with what you think you should be doing. —Luke Ellard

In this episode, we have clarinetist Luke Ellard, who just recently released his new single “met you" and "emigrate” for his bass clarinet and electronics band, L.E, to share his music and his insights on being authentic in music making and stories about his new album. We discuss all struggles we face as musicians during this unprecedented time and how we bring new music to our students to improve their learning.

He has been working on his current album for about two years. Ever since he was a kid, he has been always interested in electronic music. But electronic music to him feels like never was allowed to do in the music school mindset. Each of the music in his album reflects the past 10 years of his life experience. As he tried to connect with others, it became stressors for him as some are not healthy relationships. He metaphorically relate these experience with emigrating to another country to reach to someone else. And that is where his new single name “Emigrate“ originated from.

Looking back In his 20’s, he shares that how he never felt joy and contentment when he tries to be a person he was not, also tries to fit into the mold of classical music he thought he was suppose to be.

I feel like We have to check our feelings and emotions out the door, so that we can fully embody what the composer said it was like. We can’t feel the music unless it’s solely fit into the purpose of what the composer is doing. It doesn’t allow us to put ourselves in the space and context.
Rather, taking the reins of our emotional life and allowing that to be a part of our musical growth.

With the current events are going on around the world, he mentions the freeing elements of our society not only is in the celebrity culture but also in how the American classical music has become. We are seeing the hierarchy of needs within the world and within ourselves.

Transcription for the entire episode:

[00:00:00] Welcome to another episode of Thrive x Strive Musician podcast, a weekly podcast where we dive into the personal development, bring practical tools for all you musicians to implement into your personal and professional life to help musicians grow, glow and thrive.

[00:00:16] I'm excited to bring you today's guest talking about being authentic in music, making, counting, teaching experience, how to introduce new music to students and a lot more.

Amy: [00:00:45] Welcome back to the show. Today's guest, he is a recent doctor graduate and he is a clarinetist, composer, educator and new music collaborator based in Dallas Fort Worth. He has performed with members of Eighth Blackbird International Contemporary Ensemble, amongst so many others. He is also a co-founder of New Atmosphere Contemporary Music Collective. Recently, he just released the first single Matney and Emigrate for his face clarinet and the electronic band.

Amy: [00:01:16] It was promoted on the Dallas Morning News. Voyaged Dallas Magazine. And New Music USA. Let's welcome our today's guest. Look, Allen. Yeah. I hope this is no game.

Luke: [00:01:30] Yeah, it's great.

Amy: [00:01:32] Okay. So I'm so happy to have you here. So, can I call you Dr Duke.

Luke: [00:01:36] Please. Please don't

Amy: [00:01:40] I have been told if you finish your doctor degree soon. Now I can finally call you dr. Amy. by my beloved professor.

Luke: [00:01:46] Haha, that's funny.

Amy: [00:01:52] Let's maybe talk about the album that you actually just released June 1st, right?

Luke: [00:01:57] Yeah. Yeah. This month. wow. It seems like the past couple of months have been the longest year of my life. I think for all of us. Right. Like March alone felt like it was two years. But yeah. So I have been working on this album for a really long time, actually started about a year and a half, almost two years ago. The process of getting back into writing electronic music. I've always been interested in it ever since I was a kid. And so it's always been something I've loved, but I've never felt like I was allowed to do because you get in that music school mindset where you're like, well, I have to do my technique stuff and I have to play these pieces because I just have to. And then, you know, outside of that, you were just so busy with life. So I've been working on this for a while. And the entire album itself coming out at the end of this year. On one hand, it's putting my look back at the past 10 years of my life and dealing with relationships and just experiences that I've had in ways that I've tried to connect with others like. So just going out to clubs and trying to connect that way. But it just being such a stressors and being does a cacophony to being ghosted to all these things. A friend said, like, I'm the 'Taylor Swift of clarinet', which I thought was hilarious

Amy: [00:03:18] Very nice. I like Taylor Swiftt

Luke: [00:03:23] Yeah.I was like I was like, I will 1000 percent take that as a compliment. But yeah, it's good. It's really can bring the space of talking about how we try all these ways to connect with each other. And sometimes they're good and sometimes they're really not healthy for us. And I metaphorically relate that to immigrating to another country. Like, I feel like sometimes I connect. It's like almost as ever having to, like, cross an ocean for someone else or to reach someone else. And so that's why there's the title and the first single that just came out last week.

Amy: [00:03:56] I love the personal story behind, like, you know, the music. And I think it's inspired a lot of people to do something like that, to actually share the journey. I feel like you actually, you're really brave, you know. At least to be able to say that I want to connect. And then maybe there is things that aren't really as pleasant happens. But would you say that maybe actually helped you grow in a certain way?

Luke: [00:04:23] Absolutely. Yeah. I turned 31 last December. And I can I can really now look back on my entire 20s and see this trajectory of ways that I've tried to be a person that I'm not how you know, everything from just my behavior to trying to fit this mold of classical music and how I thought I was supposed to be to be successful, whatever that means, and that it never led to me feeling joy in my life or contentment, kind of this way of expressing. It's just this is something I'm inexpressive person. So for me and for me, this is kind of a way that I am giving myself space to do that in my music. I think we feel like we often are told this might be just from like performance practice. But I would love to hear your thoughts on this. But it's like we have to check our emotions and feelings at the door so that it so that we can fully embody whatever we're playing. And it's like the what the composer said is like law and that's it. And then kind of everything else is like shoved to the side and you can't feel emotions. We can't kind of do that unless it serves the purpose of solely benefiting like what the composer is doing. And I think in some ways that's understandable. But in other ways, I feel like it doesn't allow us to put ourselves in the space and the context. So, yeah, I actually was talking about the other day taking the reins of our emotional life and allowing that to be a part of our musical growth.

Amy: [00:06:04] Yeah. I think sometimes I've been keep telling a lot of my friends, even my therapist. You know, I was like, I feel a lot. And so how I can actually express the feelings. But then sometimes, like you said, I do get that if I'm playing Beethoven, or I'm playing Mozart. So I have to be that certain way of playing. There's certain expression, there's some feelings it just doesn't really fit quite well with the music. It is definitely difficult to find that fine line right there and still be able to connect, just express yourself. And you talk about that. You don't like to being in the line.

Luke: [00:06:42] No, I don't think I ever... I don't think I ever have been. And I kind of have grappled with this. It's like I've never thought of myself as this rebellious person, but I think comparatively to a lot of the kind of classical music culture world. I am rebellious. But I think it's just because I. I want to do what makes me happy in a way. And that doesn't mean that I am like I never want to play Brahms. I love Brahms. But it just means that I allow myself to not have the music school mindset of, like, am I allowed to do this? Is it okay that I do X, Y, Z? And I think that changed. That started when I started my doctorate. I started kind of taking reins of my musical life and it changed everything.

Amy: [00:07:26] I think that's how a lot of successful composers has been. You know, like Berlioz didn't really win the competition and stuff and they just really don't want to be in the box of that certain time. And of course, people accept them eventually. But at that moment and a lot of people just feel like it's very hard to accept their concept. And that's kind of like the same way as us. Like we as a students sometimes will always follow, like our teachers path. Oh, if they're saying something, we just follow it. And when you graduate, like, you don't have private lessons anymore. Like I always say, I don't have private lessons and more, and I start thinking more. I start like approaching music a little different.

Luke: [00:08:12] Yeah. Yeah. I think that leads to like a really good point. It's like a step even beyond thinking of, like, stylistic things of their time. But it's even just being authentic within ourselves so much. Because, I mean, I, I know I'm sure you've heard this too, but it's you know, we get taught all the time. It's like any situation. Never talk about anything that might be barely considered political or anything about relationships or anything like that, like always just be like this very, very specific kind of human. And in some ways, it's like I get it, it's kind of a game. But I also really hate that. And I think it's gate-keeping. And I think we were outside of the world of academia. I think we kind of begin to see the ways that kind of gets in to us and how that finds a home inside. And maybe we went to one to evict them from, you know.

Amy: [00:09:12] Yeah. I can see that feeling like I have been told actually recently I was like, I have a YouTube channel. Recently I just relaunched it with a different name. So my husband has been telling me like political stuff, like right now the Black Lives Matter and don't talk about it. You know, like on this social media you just started. And I just felt something's driving me to do the right thing. And I think a lot of times, like, what's the right thing to do? Always. What's the right thing you feel like you should do. And that's not only just the political stuff or relationship, it just being able to open up. I think right now we in a new era of like trying to be authentic and be able to open up ourselves and to just, you know, express and letting people know what we have learned. And that's why, you know, I started this is I feel like my...mmm... I know this is interview for you.

Luke: [00:10:09] But no, I love this.

Amy: [00:10:12] So there's a lot of people have saying, like, oh, you know, there are certain things you don't need everyone else to know because that will affect your career that way, affect a lot of stuff. But actually, I think it's some of these old concept. But right now, it's really just different. People are showing more. And I like what you do to show more about our journey. And then, you know, people really get the benefit out of it.

Luke: [00:10:37] Yeah, I think what you're saying is really, really very true. It's weird. It's like a. I think we're witnessing a fraying of so many elements of our society including celebrity culture, including finally kind of the ways that American classical music has become. And I think because being in quarantine and now people are realizing and with the resurgence of of Black Lives Matter movement, it's always been there, of course. But I think more people than certainly five, six years ago when ICE was marching, it was not it was controversial. I was yelled at like by friends that were like, you're being racist. You know, it's like the whole thing is different. But I think all these things have now shown us that there's this hierarchy of needs within the world and within ourselves. And sometimes the things that we sometimes the systems that are in place, such as like the classical music world, doesn't necessarily superseding you those. It's like it's not more important than some of the other things that, like some things are more important than that. And there's way that we can navigate that space. Yes. I think the point you're making is really, really powerful.

Amy: [00:11:51] Thank you. OK. Maybe let's just jumping to the intermission and let's listen to a little of Luke Ellard's new music. Which one's better? Emigrate?

Luke: [00:12:02] Emigrate, You can find it on Spotify and Bandcamp.

… music…

Amy: [00:12:37] So hope you guys enjoyed it. And now we're back. Talk about the stay at home quarantine. Everyone wants to know a little more about, you know, how's everyone's quarantine, how's life going, especially musicians, no concerts, and teaching at home - new territory for everyone.

Luke: [00:13:00] I don't know how you're doing with it, but I feel like we all went through the stages of grief together. It was just like for almost all of us. It's like it was within a weekend. Everything was just swoosh.. Swept off the table and it was this just enormous collective grief that was expressed in a way that was like solidarity. But now we I think we all found a new rhythm of life in a way that is still a little bit uncomfortable. But we're making of course, we're fine with it. But, yeah, it's very interesting to where we're really three months in.

Amy: [00:13:37] Yeah, it is.

Luke: [00:13:38] It was March. God marches. Phil, it was so long ago.

Amy: [00:13:42] Yeah. I remember March 14th, the day that I, I finished the last competition. I come back home. It's like, yay, now you're locked in.

Luke: [00:13:51] Yeah. Yeah. I actually I went on a um when my best friends I was her bachelorette trip and we like went on this little trip to this cabin and as soon as we got back it was like no toilet paper anywhere. No cleaning supplies anywhere. Like everyone's freaking out. Like it was just insanity. And it was like I'd been gone for a couple of days, two and a half days. Insanity broke out. So it was. Wow.

Amy: [00:14:13] Oh. And then you have to schedule all the students and hope that, like, literally fingers crossed that they would take the lesson online because a lot of students actually online. Really maybe not. Yeah.

Luke: [00:14:28] Yeah. A lot of friends of mine, they didn't give the choice. Their parents are just like, okay. So all those things are gonna be online. So we'll keep the same schedule dadada... And I'm like, that's genius. Just don't give them a choice.

Amy: [00:14:39] So how have you been adjusting to the online? I know we talked about that on Instagram a little bit.

Luke: [00:14:46] Yeah. I lost about half of my students and that was a pretty big blow. A lot of the parents I've seen this happen a couple times. As soon as the kids are done with their last competition, they take them out of lessons. And then so for the last like month after two months, they're not taking lessons. But it was just a lot of them were like that. They're like, well, we want them to have in-person lessons in the fall. So we'll just wait until then. Or they were like, well, we're just not going to bother with online lessons because it's not worth it. They thought it wasn't worth it. So, yeah, that was that was a tough blow. But I think that the toughest part is just dealing with Internet connection. That's really it. And not being able to be there in person to help them, especially the younger ones, because they just have no bodily awareness and they need someone to be there to be like right here, do this good and keep them in check because they're babies like they don't know what they're doing still. Yeah. So I think that's been the hardest part is not being able to be in person and just issues communicating through technology.

Amy: [00:15:46] Yeah, I agree. Like I had a problem was Internet connection. So at times when I hear them playing super fast, I was like, is that right? And then noticing that because even in that was jammed before. Yeah. Wow. So then you're playing like Paganini, you know.

Luke: [00:16:04] haha...Yeah, I'm interested. So I took lessons this past semester. And so I think both teaching and taking lessons online gave me a very different perspective. Did you take lessons really taking lessons this past spring? No, I just think it just adds to the weird understanding and frustration of online lessons. I don't know how people do this all the time in their life.

Amy: [00:16:27] It is very difficult. I can see, like, you know, I'm actually right now on Take Lessons.com. And sometimes I get quotes. So this is like literally me being desperate, saying, like, I need a student and all my student lost because of this. And and now I pretty much not reply any of them when they say no experience. It's not like I don't want help them. It's just I do not have an experience with online beginners. It's like borrowed everything.

Luke: [00:17:01] Yes. I started a beginner student this past week and we're kind of working with different ways that she learns than my other students. And it's been incredibly difficult trying to teach her, like just keeping the mouthpiece in her mouth, which like you think makes sense. But it's just like. And it comes out and it's just like, keep it there. Can you copy me? And to replay a lot of, like, the copy game. Can you do exactly what I'm doing and try. I tried to make it this much of a game as possible. Yeah. I'm kind of regretting doing it just because all those bad habits within like just the first couple months of them playing and then I'm going to have to. Undo everything this fall when I finally see them in person. And I never touched my students physically. But we have like a long pencil and that's going to go room just like this finger. He did it just being a person, I think, because they're so young. And I think to them, seeing us online is almost like watching YouTube video. Like, don't like get it there. It doesn't like process with them that I'm a real human because they haven't met me. They don't know who I am. I'm just like this weird guy with a beard on the screen.

Amy: [00:18:04] Yeah. Well I know you if you experience students become what. Responsible for themselves and practicing. Or like more on the side of them being slagging.

Luke: [00:18:14] Yes. The latter. And I think it's because the kids also they're tired and they've lost motivation and they're sad and they're going through it. You know, they're dealing with that, too. So. And I. I completely understand.

Amy: [00:18:29] Actually, I got a little bit benefit from the online teaching that several students then used to not taking lessons join the summer. Now they are actually taking.

Luke: [00:18:39] Yeah, that's actually yeah. I have a lot more students taking summer lessons now. Grandma's studio is bigger, but I really think it's because it's online. And also, I changed how I'm doing summer lessons. I'm making it purely trying to have fun for my younger students. I'm like arranging Disney tunes and pop tunes and stuff like that for us to play for my older students, especially like juniors and seniors in high school. I'm allowing them to pick music. I'll sing them a lot of stuff and then let them pick because I want them to kind of form the responsibility. And they're opinionated on music, on the high school schools have picked really great stuff and they're excited about it. And it's not stuff on you. I'll list either. We're bound by the rep list, but now it's like let's play some, like, fun stuff that's not on that. And they're excited about it and they're learning. So I think, yeah, some lessons actually have been better than they have in the past. Being encouraging in them, finding and then making their own choices in that way can really good. I did. I remember my my teacher in high school. She let me pick stuff in the same way that I let my students. And that was really impactful because I felt like I was also contributing and I felt like it was obviously like a teacher student relationship. But I felt like there was a respect there that I had that had won it. I didn't know that I wanted at the time, but I realized was really valuable. And so I tried to keep that in mind with my older kids.

Amy: [00:19:58] Yeah, I think I hope that it really works out with my students eventually, too, because I was growing up, my teacher just basically told me, oh, that's the next one. And you kind of feel that you really just get I think your mind gets a little lazy. You're just like, oh, you know, my teacher will find me the piece. So you don't even look for other sources like, you know, explore different genres of music. And we kind of come back to, you know, the jar of music, like real HS tried to broaden that. And sometimes I think we've really narrowed and especially for violinist. We kind of narrow in like baroque music, classic romantic when we were growing up. Have you done any of this contemporary stuff? Was this your student?

Luke: [00:20:44] Kind of in some ways. I actually from the very beginning, I try to frame everything in, for example, squeaks on the bass, on the clarinet. Really all that is, is just accidental high notes. Oftentimes it's just they did something with how they're playing it that a super high note cannot. If they have a squawk, oftentimes it's like a fingering that makes a multi phonic. And then I'm like, oh, that's actually a real thing. It's a multiphonic and I'll play one for them. And then they're like, Oh, that sounds like an allergic guitar. And I try to frame everything if they they're learning their chromatic scale. And Bill, you know, not lift up fingers how they're supposed to and they'll get like a quarter tone fingering and they'll be like, oh, I'm sorry, that's the wrong theory. I'm like, no, that's a real feeling for a real note. Did you know we'll flip to the back of the book and I'll make it a learning moment, as in like. Okay, well, do you see these top notes here? Yeah, they they're actually notes in between, but they just don't teach you that because twenty four is a lot more than well. Right. Oh it is. And so I have kids from six grade on that know all these extended techniques are and it's framed in a way that's like they're not shamed for it. This is actually very interesting that stuck with us because clinic friend of mine, we both are in the process of getting a you know, those like solo contest books that have like, you know, like a movement of a bunch of pieces and stuff. We're wanting to create a book that is for like the late middle school, early high school, like that kind of range of kids that you basically that basically would use that book. But we want to commission people like alive now, diverse voices, introducing maybe a couple of things here. And there are different techniques, but we want it to be like the solo contest book of like what is happening right now. so we are, we're actually in the process of of getting that together. We're getting different states like they're requirements for grade levels so that when we talk to composers really. You can only use, like, these specific things, these specific keys, giving them parameters. So, yeah, that's actually something that we're one to do. So I can I could introduce, like, contemporary music to my students. And it's not insanely hard or abrasive.

Amy: [00:22:50] I love this idea.

Luke: [00:22:51] Right?

Amy: [00:22:52] We really love this because, you know, it's always nice to. Yes. Be diverse and with all our pieces we learn even our students. And I think it benefits. Do you think it benefits things? In a way

Luke: [00:23:04] Yeah, I definitely think it does. If anything, it just gives them more fun things to make noises with my feel like if I have one of my big goals for it, I want to do it. I want to make sure that eventually, one day, there's not really people that are specializing in, like contemporary stuff. It's just a part of what we do. I would love for my title is like a contemporary musician to be extinct because there's no need to, because just everyone is just a part of our learning process. And I think that starts with introducing this stuff early on so that, you know, you don't because like for me, I was composing when I was in high school. But like, the music curriculum in undergrad was like blah, blah, blah. And then you get to the 20th century and suddenly it's like the most abrasive serialist thing and everyone hates it. And so everyone's just like, oh, I hate country music. Granted, it's 100 years old, but they're still like, I hate contemporary music. And I'm like, wait, there's something wrong here with this situation. that's why I was umm... I had an interview the other day and I was talking about how my first year at U.A., I heard some violins speaking like Shostakovich is just way too contemporary for me. And I was like, Excuse me?

Amy: [00:24:11] What?

Luke: [00:24:12] Yeah. And then I've heard clarinetists be like, I love new music. Stravinsky's Three Pieces is like it's one my favorites. And I'm like, that's over 100 years.

Amy: [00:24:21] Yeah. That's still owed. Actually, when they say Shostakovich is too contemporary, I'm like, oh, what about all these? No, Ligeti or Babbit, You know, like there's nowhere to go. Yeah.

Luke: [00:24:36] Yeah. Yeah. That's a I'm I'm such a big advocate for it, for defining things as like 20th century or a very specifically like what the genre it is just as much as we would for like romantic era and all the little delineations within that. I think it's high time we're 20 years out of the 20th century. So I think it's absolutely time that we can't do that because it just helps us kind of ground ourselves where we are in history, in music. You know, I think it's just really exposure and even more than that, how that exposure is presented not with like a "erhhh...", I think a lot of times people do that. They're like, you know, you probably won't like this dish. And then it's, you know, then of course, people are just gonna be like expectation of it. They're going to expect. Yeah. Like, if I approached, like, one of my nephews and it's just like, here, try this really gross thing, you're going to hate it. They're probably going to be really hesitant to eat it.

Amy: [00:25:32] Yeah.

Luke: [00:25:32] Right? So it's like that's why the earlier that we can introduce this stuff to kids and just let them know that like music is being created. I think band is like when players are really lucky is because everything we play in band is within the past, you know, 20, 30, 40 years. So it's like that's all kids are playing, but they don't make the connection that that's like new. They're just like, oh, it's band.

Amy: [00:25:57] Yeah. You know, that's something we need to improve upon our for our string players. So maybe we should wrap up?

Luke: [00:26:04] Yeah. We. We went on a couple of tangents but that's fine. That's how these always are.

Amy: [00:26:09] That to be said, before we actually getting to our outro, we have some really quick question. Fast lightning round.

Luke: [00:26:17] Oh my gosh.

Amy: [00:26:18] Yes. So what's your favorite book right now you're reading or recently you've been reading?

Luke: [00:26:25] um...Yeah, I'm rereading through this book called The Color of Law. And it talks a lot about the policy. It talks about the history in the policies that have in place in the United States that have really kept slavery and kept subjugation of black people, United States and also touches on other communities in the U.S., too. And I think it's a really important book. It's almost jarring because it's it doesn't we're so used to sensationalized material and he's like, yes, these people were, you know, essentially still slaves, even though, like, it had been abolished and just talking about how people were forced to live in these neighborhoods and they weren't like policies were in place to keep people down. And just it is it's really, really heavy material. But I think it's also really important to to learn about and there are tons of resources about this kind of stuff. But, yeah, this is just one particular book talking about this that I'm reading right now.

Amy: [00:27:22] Yeah, I think I wanted to check out, too. And I think it's really important for us to educate ourselves, especially when I growing up like in China. You know, it's not because you didn't grow up here that you don't need to learn. That's why I think I have. The responsibility to actually even educate my parents that they are in China.

Luke: [00:27:42] Yeah, I feel like doing this work can stretch to other countries and other things that are happening in the world and just makes us more aware of people, which I think just helps us. I mean, it just just helps the world.

Amy: [00:27:54] yeah. Okay, so second question. What's your favorite quote or your mantra?

Luke: [00:27:59] Oh, I usually have one just right off the bat. Well, it's not a favorite one, but it's one that I think about. So the quote is regarding don't be a jerk, because kindness is they say that kindness is free, but some, not some who's kind of comes with a price. But kindness is always the right choice. And when we're trying to be good stewards of our craft and our gifts and things in our life, then that opens up for supplies to other people. And so the combination of like being a good steward of the blessings in our life and also just trying to be kind. I think they feed each other and of course, healthy people.

Amy: [00:28:36] Yeah. One of my mantra. Yes. Definitely be inspired and be kind. And sometimes we tend to being carried away with our little eagle. And I think that that's something that to keep in mind.

Luke: [00:28:51] um. Facts!

Amy: [00:28:51] Now, the next one would be what's your favorite piece of music that you're playing right now?

Luke: [00:28:58] Well, I drove this counts, but literally my favorite thing that I'm playing right now is, is I'm creating all of the performance versions of tracks from my album. And so that's really what I loved doing right now, is playing through them and working on them. That's kind of a cop out. But also it is true.

Amy: [00:29:16] Yeah, I think you have to love your music that you composed and to be able to actually really enjoy the art of people. Just just. Yeah. Okay. So the next one is what's your favorite dish right now?

Luke: [00:29:31] I've been making kind of a vegan red beans and rice and found this really great. It's like Italian sausage. Just kind of being translated into really good. But I just put a ton of seasonings on there. I used to make it and it would take like all day, but now it just is kind of kind of put together. But it's like tastes so good. And it stores really well. So that's a favorite right now.

Amy: [00:29:52] That's nice. I, I used to be vegan and then really I changed my, my, my philosophy right there believes I guess.

Luke: [00:30:03] haha. I'm flexitarian. So...

Amy: [00:30:05] Yeah. Some vegan stuff are actually. really. Cool.

Luke: [00:30:07] Yeah.

Amy: [00:30:07] Yeah. So the last question, one thing you think the listener can take away from you today.

Luke [00:30:17] Um...I think the main thing is to always check in with yourself and what you what makes you happy and fulfilled. And this sounds so like Oprah, but it's so true to self reflect. And I think we have time right now that we can do for musicians out there. Really think about what energizes you, what makes you happy in music and embrace the fact that it might not align with what you think you should be doing. So follow your gut.

Amy [00:30:51] Great. I think I've been trying to do that to really follow my gut what I think is right to do. And sometimes it's not really just, you know, music. Sometimes it's not just classical music. But we have to think about this. It's not to Oprah.

Luke [00:31:09] hahahaha..

Amy [00:31:09] That's what this channel is about this whole entire podcast is about. is personal development.

Luke [00:31:14] Yeah. Yeah.

Amy [00:31:15] Yeah. is really find you a happiness and everybody thriving on them and think sometimes we feel like we have to follow suit certain a way of being who we are. And I'm kind of lost a little bit.

Luke [00:31:27] Yeah. I think there's so much kind of cognitive dissonance. We feel I talk about this a lot that I spend so much time trying to fit in to the expectations around us that internally that's not what our heart is wanting and going for it, that it creates so much anxiety and strife within ourselves. It's like when we're able to listen to that voice and listen to our needs and wants and what excites us and what we do and go for that. We see the benefits of it so quickly. Yeah, I agree. There's so much power in that.

Amy [00:32:02] Yeah. We want to grow it definitely. And we have to embrace that.

Luke [00:32:06] Mm-hmm.

Amy [00:32:07] This is awesome. So I want to just thank you here for, you know, come to our show today and really provide so much of insights and led us to really being inspired.

Luke [00:32:21] Yeah. Thank you for having me.

Amy [00:32:24] So how can the listener get connected with you?

Luke [00:32:26] I am incredibly Internet. If you Google Luke Ellard, you will. I mean, you'll find my website. I'm on Twitter. I'm on Instagram. I'm on Bandcamp. I'm on. If I add me on Facebook, add me on Nintendo profile, add me. No, but yeah, I'm I'm all over the place. So lukeellard.com has links to all the things and lukeellard on Twitter.

Amy [00:32:51] Nice. OK. So you guys know how to find him and go check out his new album and download. And share it..

Luke [00:33:01] Yeah !

Amy [00:33:38] As you listening to this 'Emigrate' by Luke Ellard, I hope you really found today's episode interesting and useful. And I'd like to thank our guests, Luke, again for joining us today. Be sure to check out our blog post for this episode at amywangviolin.com/podcast and subscribe to podcast on ApplePodcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and whatever podcast platform. And please download this episode. It means the world to me if you can leave a review and share to your friends. And if you have any thoughts on today's episode or topics that you'd like me to further discuss, email me at thrivexstrive@gmail.com. Thanks again. Talk to you guys next week with another solo episode. And enjoy your Fourth of July weekend. Bye for now.

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
Talk to you all next Friday!

Thrive x Strive Musician Podcast

Full Hour-Long Video Interview with Luke:

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