I AM - Sierra Sellers #011

In this episode, you have the opportunity to meet Sierra Sellers. Listen in to see how she transforms from always singing in the church to have a solo career as a neo-soul artist in Pittsburgh, PA. She also talks about her desire to help engage the younger generation and her opportunities to travel while doing what she loves.

Sierra Sellers:
IG: @sierra_sellers_
Spotify: Sierra Sellers

Host: Kevin Stalker / @kstalker9 /
Production Manager: Mike Kampas / @kampasm
Beats: Joe Cal / @josephj_callahan
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Transcript

spk_1:   0:00
I tell them when they're getting down on themselves that I've had a couple kids, you know, in middle school and stuff just, like start to show signs of, like, self hate. And I just always tell them, you know, when you feel like nobody else loves, you know that I do. And you know, I'm here every day. I'm working with you every day to prove to you that your valued that I do care about you. Other people do care about you. You know, you're important. You're gonna do great things and you're already doing great things. So just like keeping keeping you

spk_0:   0:28
welcome to Episode 011 for rawness of reality. I'm your host. Kevin stopped and I'm mic the mic guy. In this episode, you have the opportunity to meet Sierra Sellers. See Your Sellers is an amazing neo soul singer. She hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She's traveled to New York Sarasota and had plenty of shows in Pittsburgh. But enough from me. Here's Sierra really excited. Absolutely. Sellers here today, Local neo soul Pittsburgh artist in the building. He, uh so we're just gonna jump right into How did church influence your desire to sing

spk_1:   1:10
If you go, I won't say to any church, but at least the Baptist churches that I visited. They just had some incredible singers in gospel. Music is music that affects me in such an intimate way. Like if I hear gospel music, I will literally get chills throughout my entire body. You know, I'm very spirituals. So it's something that you know, tied me to God and the gift that he gave me. So it's always been a very moving thing for me. And getting my start in church gave me the confidence to take my music elsewhere and, you know, move more to like the secular music, which is still like a beautiful thing. But there's nothing like gospel music. There's nothing like Church, and I will. I don't think I could never see myself singing better than I do in church because it's just a whole different experience for me.

spk_0:   2:03
So once you came out with your own music and videos and things like, what was the response from your own church?

spk_1:   2:11
Well, that's interesting. It's going to get a little deep here, so I kind of stopped going to the church that I used to go to just because No, I was noticing a lot more politics and I didn't really like that, Although it's necessary and everywhere you are, I just didn't It didn't fit in with my views on religion and how I want to experience God, so stop going. But I mean, they're always the kids that I went to church with, and we kind of grew up together. They're extremely supportive of my music. I'm thinking more of like the Oh, jeez, they don't really know about it. The younger, the younger people in there, they're super supportive. They'll come out to shows me and this other kid, we were in the choir together and I hopped on one of his songs. He's also a singer. Super dope. So

spk_0:   2:58
So what do you mean by politics? Like I studied political science, That could mean

spk_1:   3:03
so, Yeah, it's like just a general term I'm throwing in there, but, um, without saying too much, basically, there was a lot of like Okay, we're up here and it was like I almost like a hierarchy. Credits start exactly. Yeah. So it was just like I don't There was a lot of petty things going on as far as money is concerned and stuff like that. And I was just like we're losing focus. Or I felt that they were losing focus on why we all gathered on Sunday to praise God. It got, got more petty. It got more, you know, like it about the money, then about the real reason and granted, everybody needs to live. The church needs pays, pay its bills. But I just felt it was handled in a way where it was greed. And, um, I just it made me really uncomfortable to sit in a pew and no, and see all of that going on, and I couldn't focus on why I really came.

spk_0:   4:02
That's really respect, like respectable that you even had the awareness to know what was going. Yeah, let's take this on a little lighter note. Then why do you prefer playing with a live man?

spk_1:   4:14
Oh, the feeling is crazy. I just love, you know, having that shared moment with people in music. You know what you have with the crowd, and then even with the deejay, you can have it. But with the d. J, I feel you have to really break down exactly what you're doing in orderto have that interactive performance and with the band, Sometimes things just happen. Like if Remi Vega, who plays keys of my band, is feeling something. Or Alan Bell, who plays the drums, or Denzel, who plays bass there feeling something were like, Go with it, just go with it And then it brings a whole different energy in Vibe, and it's just it's just exciting, cause like, you know what's supposed to happen. But you also don't know what could happen. And if we're just like all right, keep it going because this feels good on a track. I can't say Keep it going.

spk_0:   5:05
So would you say then, with live music? Sometimes I guess a mistake might happen, But you and your band are able to be like in the meat in an amoeba.

spk_1:   5:16
Yeah, yeah, I know exactly. We mess up all the time, and it's totally fine because not as long as you are having a good time. And as long as you sound good, one little mistake with a live band isn't gonna like. If I had one show recently at Mr Smalls, I literally forgotten entire verse, and I was like I can't remember, but I just looked at them and I just said, like you, them to go to the bridge instead of go to the chorus and the crowd had no idea

spk_0:   5:47
that's That's the beauty of itself, but it doesn't. But if

spk_1:   5:51
I'm singing like a backing track and I mess up, it's just like I'd have to sing the same verse over again. That's father. Whatever do like on the spot. If I couldn't remember what else was to be singing,

spk_0:   6:02
that's that's cool. I, uh so I do public speaking, and I love when you can see the motion move within the crowd. But then the crowd never knows exactly what you're going to do next. It's It's really just up to you to be creative if you forget something, or if you don't know exactly where it's going. And typically the crowd responds pretty well, they dio. So that's that's cool that you guys air like on the same page with that, and I are able to shift. Your focus is, that's really cool. Have you played a lot of live gigs in the city of Pittsburgh end or outside of Pittsburgh?

spk_1:   6:40
Yes, so not so much. I only had one or two gigs in Florida. Florida. I'm from seriously Oh, where? Tell Booth the devil. That is funny. You in Sarasota? No, at the Ringling Museum. And then there was one in Tampa. But I forget what that bar was called. What brought

spk_0:   6:57
you to so you said? Oh, that's actually so

spk_1:   6:59
while. Yeah. Okay, So, um, the Visible men's Academy. My manager has a friend who works with that, um, school. And basically, it's a school for boys. What? They have a focus on women's studies. So yeah, it's really

spk_0:   7:19
just for boys, but, yeah, focus on women's studies.

spk_1:   7:23
It's really powerful. So I went down there, he kind of just hooked it up. I got to stay at the Ringling Museum, which was like

spk_0:   7:30
you stayed.

spk_1:   7:31
I stayed. So they have, like, a little cottage, Um, by like, the old house and like the U. S. So I stayed in the economy. It's incredible. I was waking up every day and they let me stay there. I only saying one night, and I stayed there for probably like, five days for free. I was like, Y'all are very generous. I appreciate that. But no, it was a great experience and basically they had an exhibit at the museum, and I got to sing in the museum, um, for the exhibit and talk about my music and talk about being a woman and how it affects me. And it was really cool we had. I'll never forget this one older woman. She was saying that, you know, for years she had her husband's name and he's gone. But she still has his name like people are addressed her as Mrs and she was like, I kind of realized Where did my identity go? I was living behind my husband. Not that that's a bad thing, but it's like you never think about it. When you take somebody's name and marriage, it would be like I'll use J. Cole, Mrs Sierra Coal or Mrs Jermaine Jermaine Kel, You know what I mean? It's like I lose that Sierra Sellers. So it was a really interesting discussion and then I also got to speak to the kids at the school and seeing them a couple songs and talk about songs, and I sing my one song Smooth and we were like, How did that make you feel in this one, kid? Probably in, like, second grade. He was like, Man, that's deep. It makes me mad that people try to do that to you as a woman. It's stuff like that was like, This is crazy,

spk_0:   9:12
like kids. Just a little grown people. Yeah, it was not like that was deep. How old are you? It's pretty cool, too. That you sang the song Smooth and from correct. That song was inspired by a kid. Yeah, by my cousin. And she wants to be an engineer, right?

spk_1:   9:31
Yeah, Well, I don't know her. That was, like, a year ago, so yeah. Yeah, I was supposed to be the first woman in the NBA. There is? Ah, yeah, but she I just love her so much because she's very confident, but she's not arrogant. I mean, she'll have her moments like she's nine now. Yeah. Show Bob Beckel. Sailor, you look really nice saying, just like I know

spk_0:   9:58
s Oh, she's just

spk_1:   10:00
like and it's not like I know I'm beautiful. It's like she's just she knows who she is. She's confident, and, um, basically, I just like, look at her. And, like I just want you to stay who you are, like I don't want. Basically, the song was I was trying to warn her of you know, how suave some men could be and stuff like that. And it was really a message to all women, like, respect yourself, respect yourself, Know your worth, and people will meet you there. You know what I mean? You don't have to lower your standards or, um, dumb yourself down or, you know, do yourself up every single day to impress somebody who you are is impressive enough. Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah,

spk_0:   10:41
I completely agree. What did she think when you first put out that song? Because it was It was, like, inspired by her kind of for her. Yeah, but the response from other people, I did you say something like, you got a good response from everyone else. But what did she think? And she's in the video.

spk_1:   10:58
Yeah, she was hilarious. She didn't want to be in the video like she did. And then we got there, and I think she got scared. So I haven't clear everybody out. And it was just her and Jordan. Armstrong was great with her. Just making her feel

spk_0:   11:12
comfortable. Was he the

spk_1:   11:14
director? Yeah, he's fantastic. Um, but then she got She was fine. And then my aunt was telling me that she was, like, showing all her friends, and she was super proud of me. And she was selling people. I mean, you know how kids are. She's like my cousin's famous. It was cool. She was happy with it.

spk_0:   11:34
You said you played live gigs in Pittsburgh as well. What were those like? And is the response from the Pittsburgh community good, bad up in the air? I know that you played an opening gig for hard. Oh, and I didn't necessarily go so well. It's not that

spk_1:   11:51
I didn't go well, so I was like the opener for the openers. So there's, like, barely anybody there, but I was kind of grateful for it. It just like my music wasn't it didn't fit. It didn't fit the night and the other line up, Um, basically, what happened is somebody dropped out and they needed somebody super last minute. And, like, I'm not going to say no to like any opportunity, especially because I was still in college at the time, so I wasn't in Pittsburgh all the time. I wasn't getting gigs, so it was just, like, another opportunity to get myself out there. So, um, it was just like they weren't paying attention. There were a couple of people in the back that were dancing and, like, vibing out. But that's, like three of, like, 40 sometimes one person. True. And you know what I did. Actually, um, there was this kid there that hit me up after and introduced me Thio, this one producer that I've been working with sense. So it works out like it was I still appreciate that night. It was just, like, funny how it worked out.

spk_0:   12:56
That's what's cool. Yeah. So? So if you were to be any type of animal, what would it be about?

spk_1:   13:05
You know, I don't think about this question. Yeah, it's likely I work with kids. So, like, we talk about those things because I'm just, like, weird like that, and I I like to ask obscure questions like you work with kids. Yeah. So, no, I would say a lion just because, um, I feel like this is gonna sound really goofy, but I feel like lions are honorable I feel like they're respected. I just think they're beautiful creatures. And, you know, I don't think lines that kill for fun and I could be, like, totally off on that, but I've never I think they just hunt for what they need. And they take in what they need, which is something I'm striving to do more, I guess. You know, like I was recently in a car accident. It was everything. Yeah, Other person was okay. I was okay. My car was just, like, done for, um, not because it was such a bad accident just because it's a really old car and it was not worth putting money into it. But anyway, I remember, like going through that situation just like all the stress that came with it dealing with the insurance company. And I actually, like, had a little mini panic attack. And my sister was talking to me on the phone like what's around? You and I started looking around me and realizing that, like, none of this matters none of this money that I'm stressing over. I can't take this with me when I leave like this Earth. I can't do that. So why am I striving to have things? I should be striving to just be a better person. I should be striving to, you know, have what I need and what I don't need. Give to others who need it. And it's a harder thing to do than to say, but I'm really trying to get out of the mindset of that. I need things that I need, um, property. Or you know, what? I would like frivolous things that really have no value besides the perceived value from others. Which gives us in the today's society some type of gratification.

spk_0:   15:14
An interesting question. Then, if you were it to release yourself of all material objects except for one for the rest of your life, what would it be

spk_1:   15:24
like? One that just one object? Yes. I couldn't live without music, so I would need to, like, make a mix CD of 1000 songs. I literally like their days where I'm so stressed out and like, this is it? Yeah, probably an iPod. Yeah. Um,

spk_0:   15:43
well said the headphones go. Yeah. Charge. Yeah. It's

spk_1:   15:47
like solar power. Yeah, but like the vessel I can describe. Like how I need music. It's like when I wake up, I need to, like, listen to music like I can't, like, start my day without music or go throughout my day without music. If I had have a headache, I don't take medicine. I listen to music. It does. It really does. I

spk_0:   16:10
don't take ibuprofen or anything. Yeah, I know. I'm not a big pill guy. Yeah, I think my mom for that, she was always Kevin, don't take the pills.

spk_1:   16:20
Yeah, yeah. If it's a migraine, I'll use like peppermint oil on my temples. That helps me.

spk_0:   16:26
So what would you say is like your go to song? Thio, get rid of a headache,

spk_1:   16:30
get rid of a headache. Um, to calm me down and to, like, get me right with God again if I'm like math is gospel musical. Listen, um, Tamela Mann's changed me. Um, but if I just have a regular headache, depending on what type of headache it is, I'll listen to like some some tribe called Quest's or like the far side, because it's like that a nice like, you know, I don't know how to describe it. I just like the old school hip hop vibes with like the jazz samples and like, the how the drums are and stuff, So yeah,

spk_0:   17:08
Okay, that's good. What? What has been your most rewarding accomplishment so far? Because there's many more to come.

spk_1:   17:16
Um, probably when a girl All right, so she didn't tell me, but she told her dad who told my dad I was, like, always a really oblivious kid like gum. I was the kid that used to, like, invite herself to sleep overs.

spk_0:   17:35
It's like I

spk_1:   17:37
just never saw any issue with, like, Oh, we can't have more people will just ask your parents like that was the and even in high

spk_0:   17:44
school into the sleepers.

spk_1:   17:46
I did. I did that. I was just ended up being cool. Like I just never saw any issue with it or whatever. And like, it ended up being fine. But in high school, I was kind of the same sort of oblivious where I was just, like, cool with everybody. Like, if my friends didn't save me a seat at lunch, I wouldn't trip. I just like, Okay, I'm gonna sit over here and listen to music or do whatever. I don't care. Um, but there was this one girl one day in high school and she was sitting by yourself and I invited her to come sit with us, or I Either I sat with her something like that, and, um later to find out that she was suicidal. And my hurt father told my father that, like that moment really helped her. So if I s so far in my life, you know, if that was if I had any best accomplishment, I think that one is the best one to You know, you never know how much kindness can touch somebody's life in that. Like you telling somebody that Hey, you look really beautiful today or hey, like you're a cool person, couldn't change. They're

spk_0:   18:50
just giving them that That acknowledgment showing them that you do see them? Yeah, exactly. Yeah, that's

spk_1:   18:57
so who knew being oblivious and not carry,

spk_0:   19:00
like, turned out

spk_1:   19:02
to have because I would just say what's up to her, like talk to her and I still see her all the time. So it's cool. Glad she's still here.

spk_0:   19:09
That's yeah, that's extremely powerful. I mean, I, uh I remember once when I was in high school, and I actually I just got in a fight about three days before, But I saw I was I was suspended for 10 days, and, um, I broke my pinkie on someone's face. I hate it when that happens. I remember this. This girl, I was told this girl actually committed suicide at our school and it was really detrimental to us as a school. We didn't know how to react. And we were We were really shock and it really showed us. Okay. We need a like pay attention to each other more we need to like, but this shouldn't be happening at our school. So So the school actually, like got together and we started having more like I think, I guess you like jam sessions or something. And we were just trying to really, like, showcase different students and just just kind of give people like a moment to be noticed. And I think that went a long way. But it it's just it's so crazy how in life we as the individual can really think, like everything else is out to get us or it's against us and we push and it pushes back harder and we don't know how to react. And sometimes we do have those thoughts where it's like, Maybe it maybe they'll be better off without me. And you're so wrong when you think that you're so wrong, Man, that that's like, really powerful that you were able to one. You didn't know what you were doing, but you were You were genuinely able to just just say, Hey, let's eat together on And that made a difference I really like. I think that's awesome. And for you to say that your biggest accomplishment shows so much of your character. So, like, yeah, just keep being you Bank That's awesome, really is. So that also made me think so. I have always not always cannot everything always those air, just like you got a nexus rates. But I've I've strived to go to movies by myself, sit alone and just like do things, got an art gallery by myself. You know, it really experienced life for the world for what it is by yourself. That's how you find yourself. So what would you say is like one place or one spot? You could go by yourself and just be,

spk_1:   22:08
um, where I grew up. There's like these docks. And I would just go sit on the docks and write poetry because it sounds like really deep. Like it really wasn't that interesting, but, um, that's one place I'd preferred to go by myself. A ce faras like going out in public by myself. Um, that's one thing I've never really done, either. I was thinking about going and seeing a movie by myself last weekend, but I ended up my boyfriend ended up coming with me. Yeah, but, um,

spk_0:   22:40
see the thing about movies, too. That's kind of like the first step is really stepping out because no one can see you, you know, And you're just, like, alone. Your Children. You have your popcorn? Yeah. Your drink. Like you surviving by yourself? Yeah.

spk_1:   22:54
I mean, for real, I would really go, like, eat by myself. I'm just fortunate enough to have people that are hungry at the same time. It's like I don't I don't see any. Like, um, I don't have any reservations about that. My biggest thing is like, a lot of times I don't like going places by myself cause I don't like to drive. I don't want to have to deal with, like, parking. And like, it's just easier when somebody else goes with me. Even if they don't have a car of like, do you just wanna drive my car?

spk_0:   23:23
Okay, that's cool. Do you know any of your poetry?

spk_1:   23:27
Um, I D'oh! Yeah. You know,

spk_0:   23:30
you spit something for us.

spk_1:   23:31
Yeah. All right, let's see, Can I? Casket has cursed you like, Hey, this is actually one of the poems that I did down in Florida

spk_0:   23:41
and Sara said, And Sarasa, it's so cool that

spk_1:   23:44
hopefully I can remember it cause it's been a while. They want me to be this. Tell me to be that same. Too thin on my ass. Too fat. I can't keep up. I won't keep track. They want too much. It changed too fast. I'm just trying to keep my head above the water. Just trying to be someone for someone's daughter. Keep myself in check when the world has no order. And then I forget the rest. But that's just a bit What encouraged that? Oh, yeah. Trying to do my best in a world that's grown colder. And then that's legit. All I can remember, it's been so long

spk_0:   24:21
line you said about someone's daughter just

spk_1:   24:23
trying to be someone for somebody's daughter.

spk_0:   24:26
What? What made you say that?

spk_1:   24:28
Um, when I was five, my mom passed away. And, you know, I really took in, you know, the people that were around me, supporting me, the women that raised me. And, you know, we really relied on, like, the y M c a where I work now. So but that's what inspired me to go to school for education. Um, I just wanted to be there for the kids. Um, if they ever needed somebody or something that, you know, I tell them when they're getting down on themselves that I've had a couple kids, you know, in middle school and stuff just, like start to show signs of, like, self hate. And I just always tell them, you know, when you feel like nobody else loves, you know that I do. And you know, I'm here every day. I'm working with you every day to prove to you that your valued that I do care about you. Other people do care about you. You know, you're important. You're gonna do great things, and you're already doing great things. So just like, keep being keeping U S. Oh, that's what that line comes from. Like I I'm trying to be that person that a child can look up to. Um, not that I'm a perfect person, arms driving for perfection, but, um, I strive to be honest. I strive to be kind. I strive two do be kind to others, even when they're horrible to me or when things. It's kind of like the book of job in the Bible, like all of these terrible things are happening to him, and he still shows gratitude and appreciation for God and the things that God has given him. And that's how I try to be, and not that I'm good at it all the time, but But

spk_0:   26:13
at least you're aware of what you're doing, and you still strive to do that. That's that's powerful. And through that, have you then cultivated positive relationships with Children at

spk_1:   26:26
the shore? Yeah, it's kind of nice because, you know, I mean, now that I have my like job title that I do in full time there, um

spk_0:   26:35
What what is, uh,

spk_1:   26:36
just like, school is child care coordinator, so I do all the like the programming and curriculum for after school programs. But I also do with deal with behaviors and come up with behaviour plans. Um, so I'm kind of like the mean one, I guess not the mean one, but I'm I do make sure all

spk_0:   26:54
the kids are

spk_1:   26:55
being respectful and, you know, like if they're not following the rules or not doing any, they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing. Then you know, I'm the one to step in and stuff. So a lot of times they view means like mean, But there's situation. Yesterday and yesterday I had off and one of my staff texted me and saying, This little girl is asking for you on, like, of all the staff that are there, the fact that she wants me and wants to talk to me about something is like it reminds me of like Okay, this is why I am the way that I am because they trust me. And they know that if something needs to be handled, I'm the one to handle it. No matter how hard it ISS,

spk_0:   27:32
it'll be genuine about

spk_1:   27:33
yeah, and how you are talking about being in foster care I had a girl last year in our summer camp program. Um, she was in foster care and she hadn't been adopted yet. And she was still seeing her birth mother and stuff like that. It was just a really hard situation. And she would on Lee talk to me so she wouldn't talk to anybody else about it. She would just kind of act out. And I mean, we all we all know that. Okay, what is a child acting out or ah, behavior, but communication for something they don't know how to communicate. So I would just be like, OK, did you see your mom yesterday? What's going on? Why are you not listening? What's going on in your head? And she would just open up to me. And she was also one of the kids like you're mean. You're so mean to us. You know, it's why I'm the way that I am so that it's cool those situations. I could be there.

spk_0:   28:28
I work at the boys and girls back home in Sarasota, and, uh, since being in college, I haven't really what worked as a title. I kind of just come in and help but when I come back, Sometimes I'm like, kind of the strict one, and it's like it's because I for one, I was in your shoes like a kid. I was in your shoes. Yeah, I've been there and you're being a little mischievous right now. We should probably take a step back, see what we're doing here, and, like, revisit how to do it better. And sometimes you do come off as mean when your meaning well, and it's it's tough for kids to know the difference because they're just like everyone a good time, you

spk_1:   29:15
know, like And that's what I'll sit down when they're like You're being so me and used to be so nice. Before I got this job, I was like I would just go to different centers and be a soak That's just super flexible and like So I got to be like the fun teacher. Now I'm not the fun when I'm the stickler and I'll just break it down to them like, Okay, I mean, But you I told you to stop doing something four times already, and you still continue to do it, even though you know it's against the rules. So am I being mean or you being mean? Uh, and they're like, I guess,

spk_0:   29:49
Huh? Yeah, that's a good way.

spk_1:   29:53
Supposed to respect each other as human beings. And listen, when somebody doesn't like you doing something, isn't that what we agreed on? Because I make them set? Why don't make them? I asked them to sign AM like a contract. So it's like a how we treat each other contract and they all it's hanging up in the cafeteria where we have our program and they've all signed it. So

spk_0:   30:15
was that your idea?

spk_1:   30:16
Yeah. So I'll just I mean, I've heard it from somebody else, but, um, I I'll just go over to their like you agreed to this. That will be respectful, carrying, honest, responsible here. And you're not doing that. So

spk_0:   30:31
that's cool. Are our mission that Boys and Girls Club is our mission to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. So that kind of hits on Yeah. Wait, you have them sign?

spk_1:   30:47
Yeah, I think that's so because a lot of them ah, lot of the mission statements. And like even in college for education, it always touched on, and I'm not downing on that mission whatsoever. Always found it interesting that there is always, like, contribute to society or, like be a citizen would win like it's like be yourself, but then contribute to society and fit this mold. You know what I mean? This is kind of like the hippie in me, but, like what If this society that you want them to fit in is corrupt, were in, like,

spk_0:   31:20
look at the mission statement. Yeah, you're definitely right. And maybe someone who helped create that saw it from that perspective. But then we have to look at society as a whole, and it's like what you put out into the world. You kind of get back in a way, But why not put out the best you there is? And what if that's your contribution to society? That is good. So, yeah, the idea of where it's come from and who created it could be one thing,

spk_1:   31:52
or it could be that attention. But yet,

spk_0:   31:54
Or it could be that, Yes,

spk_1:   31:55
I just found it interesting because it's like, who's society? What society? You know, what part of society you know. It's just like a. We want kids to be productive and, you know, contribute to society. But we never go into detail about how they can. It's kind of like that whole idea of like people pressing kids to go to college. You don't need to go to college. And, you know, college isn't for everybody. Um, instead of, you know, focusing on what they're good and and, you know, really uplifting that and fostering and nurturing that, as opposed to like, you need a quick excuse me, get good grades and go to college.

spk_0:   32:34
You honed in on something so crucial there you said, focus on what they're good at. E think, Yeah, somebody that And you're so right because throughout school, we're always told, get good grades and everything and we don't necessarily hone in on one our passion to what we're good at. And three things that just actually our fun and we enjoy. But if you genuinely focus on what you're good at and what you love, then your best self, well, we'll just blossom. And it's not

spk_1:   33:17
like you have to neglect the other things, like I really like the concept of humanism. So it's like you're just a well rounded person where you're a doctor by day, but at night you paint or you do music. And it's just exploring all these different avenues like I'm not. I almost failed art class because I was told to sketch. And this is no disrespect, my teacher, just the curriculum. But, like I was told to, like, sketch of fruit bowl, That doesn't inspire me. I can't I can't copy. If you want me to copy it, let me trace it. But you know now I'll just I like oil pastels. No, just used just, um, pastels and stuff like that, and I'll make what I want to make and I love it. I love my art. Not very like super talented in it. Like I can't like paint that building over there something like that. But I'm creating and it's relaxing, and I never thought I would be the type of person to come home after a long day. Just like I just need to draw. I just need to do something creative. So it's like that idea where, you know, I've worked in, um at Cigna have worked at a health insurance company because I wanted to see. I want to explore different things to see if it fit me. You know, I just want to become that well rounded. You know, a person who is knowledgeable and I can empathize better.

spk_0:   34:40
And you said after like a long day, you liketo go and create. Would you say that your music is created after a tough day? Or like, how does that come about or what inspires you to create music?

spk_1:   34:56
I think about musical Okay, Yeah, that's like the easiest

spk_0:   35:02
matter, like a sound in your head because they're always music going, Um, it's Where is the music of life?

spk_1:   35:10
It's like more so just like this. Like, doesn't like my legs are moving. It's like I need to go do it. I need to go be in the studio and right and, um, play guitar something, just something with music. It, like, satisfies this. Like it I have for it. Um but yeah, after like a long day, I will create in any form I really loved cook also, so that, to me, is like my down time where I can just like cook and nobody really bothers me in the kitchen. So it's just like I'm to myself. I'll put on like that's when I watch TV or something like that and I'll put on some Netflix and just cook and relax and then I'll go create. I don't think I can create. Not that I can't, um It's a really stressful experience to create music when my mind is racing. So if I'm stressed out because of the day, if I'm frustrated in any way, like where I just I need to just collapse for a second. I'll just take that moment to collapse. And then I want to put love into my music. I don't wantto necessarily always use it to get something out, but it is helpful sometimes when I'm angry and I don't know how to verbalize, really, or tell somebody else or explain to somebody else how I'm angry and I could just be honest and put it in a song that is helpful. But

spk_0:   36:41
what is your favorite dish? Cook? I

spk_1:   36:44
was just explaining this to my driver last night. Um, I love making this like red pepper chicken flatbread, so like, I'll explain how it d'oh So I season the chicken with the bunch. Different stuff and marinated in white wine. And then I'll cook it on like my cast iron skillet grill. And while that's cooking, I'll chop up like red peppers, onions, garlic and potatoes. And I'll still take all of that and season it just like a regular skillet. Yeah, and then, once all that's done, I'll put the chicken on and then, like the potatoes, peppers, onions and then I'll grab like Parmesan and Asiago cheese and put it on top and then bake it to melt the cheese.

spk_0:   37:37
How long do you think that for?

spk_1:   37:38
Just until the cheese is melted because the chicken is already cooked. I don't cook it all the way on the skillet cause it'll get dry because I used chicken breast so that dries out really fast. So I'll cook it to a certain point and then put it in the oven. And then I won't call the rest of the way. And then you put balsamic glaze to finish it, and it's super good.

spk_0:   37:59
Would you like what would you rate that one through time? One through 10? I would say some will score there,

spk_1:   38:06
I would say, like an eight. I think that you know, like I'm a good cook, but I have a lot of learning, like I don't get the chicken perfect every time. Sometimes it's dry room for improvement. It's good. It's my favorite. I mean, I like it. I think it's really good. So this Sunday, I'm cooking Easter dinner, so we'll see how that goes to. But that's like

spk_0:   38:28
Easter dinner before. Do you enjoy that?

spk_1:   38:31
I love it. I love it. It's like a It's like stressful, but it it's like a rush in the same time.

spk_0:   38:38
Yeah, I, uh I can't imagine cooking all these to dinner. I made a sweet potato casserole once. I was like, Yeah, Easter dinner. That's a lot. They're gonna have, like, a sushi.

spk_1:   38:53
No, no, but yeah, because I do like I have my sister might help me with a few things, but we have different, different ways of cooking, like I'm a picky eater, so I don't make like, a vest like, uh, I don't make a variety of things. She'll she'll try and experiment and do a bunch of different things and follow recipes like I follow the recipes that are Grandma taught us. So my Easter dinner is very much like the old school soul Food dinner. Where is my sister? Yeah, she She wants to put, like, blue cheese or something in the Mac and cheese. And, like, don't touch my macaroni cheese

spk_0:   39:31
So much. Like your way. Just put some honey on this. That's a weird

spk_1:   39:41
I started putting honey and chili and I love Oh, my God. Yeah, honey And brown sugar. It's so good, because it like, I'll put like that. And then I'll put cayenne pepper and it like it kind of cuts the taste of the cayenne pepper, but you can still That's cool. Yeah. Yeah, it's super bomb.

spk_0:   40:02
That's that's awesome, eh? So I'm gonna fire off a few quick questions, okay? You've long answers. A quick ones. I've done this in the past that some people and I've gotten the longest antes que when I'm thinking that quick. So they'd just be like, take it for what? They're, uh, favorite artist and and, ah, favorite artists and the musical genre. Because

spk_1:   40:26
current, like, in this moment right now is my favorite artist

spk_0:   40:29
in this in this moment.

spk_1:   40:31
Uh, yeah, I was aged. Yeah.

spk_0:   40:35
If you were to wear a type of hat. What would

spk_1:   40:39
that happy? Probably just your average everyday dad hat. Okay. Yeah. That's a favorite book. Favorite book. Um, slave by Monday? No, sir. A super fire. It's an autobiography. She her village was raided and she was sold into slavery. And it wasn't like this was like in 19 hundreds. Um, like, later on. I forget when exactly. But it's an autobiography, and I read it when I was in high school.

spk_0:   41:17
Would you recommend it to the listener?

spk_1:   41:18
Yes, absolutely. It's so good. It's just like a crazy story about, like, a I think it's telling to like the strength of a woman. And, you know, um, difference between slavery and mental slavery. And it's just it's crazy what she endured and got through on I'm not gonna give away, but it's a great book, a

spk_0:   41:42
favorite color oil pastel to use

spk_1:   41:46
that like I don't know what it's called. Um, it's actually just my favorite color in general, like that burnt rust orange color. Okay, It's like a deeper Yeah, love it. That's my favorite.

spk_0:   41:58
Okay? And what is rawness of reality mean to you?

spk_1:   42:02
Rawness of reality. Good, bad and the ugly. I guess. You know, um I don't know how to really describe it. It's just like our everyday lives that you're like. Something happens like this is life. Kind of like how we were talking about your painting and how it rips that split second. Can't really do anything about it. So I might as well embrace it. So,

spk_0:   42:25
okay. And anything coming up in your life that you want the listeners to be a part of or give them the opportunity to be a part of

spk_1:   42:33
Yeah. I just have a couple shows coming up, so it's honestly easier to just follow me on social media. Um, Instagram is better because Twitter and Facebook I just don't have Come on. So it's just at Sierra Sellers. Um, I believe there is, like, an underscore, too. But if you just search the air Sellers, it'll be there.

spk_0:   42:53
Okay. Awesome. Yeah. Yeah, that's that's everything I have today. Cool. Thank

spk_1:   42:57
you for having me.

spk_0:   42:58
Oh, come on. And we'll see you guys. Bye. Sarasota was talking a lot really cool to see that Sierra traveled to seriously before and stayed in the real use. You guys ever have the chance to go to Syria. Definitely Some of the most beautiful beaches and wonderful art is all around. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking serious. I hope you guys enjoy. If so, please subscribe. Greatest five stars follow us on Spotify Google Stitcher sound Our episodes can only get a big thank you to my campers Are production manager and Joe cow on the beats And remember, stay wrong with reality.