An Interview With Edward Sylvan
I’m fighting for mental health awareness with my music. I touch on a lot of subjects that deal with depression, anxiety, and drug abuse. I feel that these subjects are extremely relatable to today’s youth. I create music that people are able to listen to and feel understood.
As a part of our series about music stars who are making an important social impact, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Snøw.
Hailing from Salem, MA, Snøw has become one of the fastest emerging artists among a new generation of musicians who are transforming the hip-hop/lo-fi landscape. Since his debut three years ago, the self-taught artist has approached every production, songwriting, and collaboration with a relentless pursuit of innovation. His knack for song smithing viral-level hits has led to collaborations with lo-fi royalty and critical acclaim from heavyweight tastemakers around the globe. For him, music has always served as a coping mechanism to address some of the complex topics as well as to build personal narratives that help people connect regardless of who and where they are in life.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
I always had an interest in music. When I was younger I was very intrigued as to what went into making a song. Learning how to play instruments at a young age definitely helped inspire me to begin writing my own music. This ultimately led me to make YouTube videos and release my music through distributing companies.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What was the lesson or takeaway you took out of that story?
I wouldn’t consider it funny, but a few months ago a few friends and I hosted a Warzone tournament within our community. The groups consisted of many underground artists, and it was really cool to see everyone come together to bond over something other than work. I was in a squad with Powfu, Sadboyprolific and Cxldasf. I would love to flex, but we didn’t win so I guess that’s funny.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
I say that it’s important to be patient. Fame and success don’t happen overnight, so don’t expect it to. Continue doing what you love and working on your craft and that’ll get you far. No cap.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
My stepfather was really encouraging with my music when I began making songs, and he still is one of my biggest supporters. In the beginning, I would show him all of my work, even when it was trash. He’s definitely seen my growth as a musician, and would always give me really good feedback that I used to improve. He truly impacted my mindset and made me become the artist I am today.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
I’m fighting for mental health awareness with my music. I touch on a lot of subjects that deal with depression, anxiety, and drug abuse. I feel that these subjects are extremely relatable to today’s youth. I create music that people are able to listen to and feel understood.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
Like many others, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety myself. I have seen so many people in my life that abuse substances to cope with their own mental illnesses. This cause is honestly just comforting to me as an individual who can relate. I use my music as a coping mechanism myself and enjoy the fact that I am able to help others with my art in a healthy manner.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
There isn’t an individual that I can speak on directly. Although, many listeners message me daily and share their personal stories with me. They express how much my music has helped them, comforted them, or even stopped them from taking their own life. It’s sometimes overwhelming to know that I have such an impact on others. I still have a hard time processing the fact that I’ve aided in saving people I’ve never actually spoken to. However, it’s a good feeling when I discover that I was able to help someone through my music.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
No cap, I feel that society as a whole needs to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. Society needs to understand that someone who suffers from these mental illnesses needs to be helped rather than dismissed. On an individual level, however, help those in need. Be someone who listens to others, even if you feel that you aren’t qualified to give advice. Sometimes people just need to feel heard and understood so that they take the correct steps in the direction of receiving professional care.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”
- You don’t always need to invest in expensive equipment to make good.
- Learn the basics in production so that you aren’t always reliant on someone else.
- Write all of your ideas down when you first think of them because you can always go back and improve or build off the idea.
- Expand your vocabulary, because it improves your creativity.
- Don’t take the first offer you are given. Patience pays off.
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would start a community among young artists to help them make the best decisions in the music industry, when you are new and naive, so many people try to take advantage of you and you sign some really bad deals (That happened to me) so I’d be important to create a solid community to help out the emerging talent.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
“Gotta fight our demons, we can’t always fucking hide them”
This quote is actually going to be part of one of my songs from the unreleased album and its emphasis on the importance of facing your own problems. In my life, there have been many times I felt stuck and hiding away just makes everything worse, you gotta find the best way to cope with your issues, for me, music helps me fight my own.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
I would love to have a meal with Ryan Reynolds because he’s hilarious and one of my favorite actors. He was a goat in Deadpool. I genuinely feel that breakfast with him would be a great start to anyone’s morning.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Snøw Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.