Songs of Innocence - House Shoes on community, sacrifice and authenticity

Once A DJ

In this conversation, House Shoes, a DJ and record label owner, discusses his journey in the music industry and the hip-hop scene in Detroit. He talks about setting goals and starting a podcast to reconnect with the culture. House Shoes shares his experiences growing up in Detroit and the influence of music in his life. He highlights the competitive nature of the hip-hop community and the importance of innocence in creativity. He also discusses the impact of Proof and the Detroit hip-hop community. The conversation concludes with House Shoes reflecting on the need to leave Detroit and start fresh in Los Angeles. In this part of the conversation, Shoes discusses feeling exhausted and overwhelmed in his career and the desire to help others. He talks about struggling to help himself and the challenges of putting others first. Shoes also shares his frustration with finding a manager and the difficulty of letting go. He discusses the lack of emotional and financial reward in his work and the search for originality in music. The impact of social media on judgment and the performative nature of grief are also explored. Shoes reflects on the challenges of stardom and mental health and the importance of empathy. He discusses the shift in community and social interaction and the sacrifices of staying true to oneself. The transition from Detroit to LA and the start of his record label are also discussed. Shoes shares his experiences with social anxiety and the importance of integrity and sacrifice. Finally, he talks about navigating the music scene in LA and the ownership and confidence of DJing. In this conversation, Shoes discusses the challenges of building a community around sobriety and finding like-minded individuals. He reflects on the nostalgia for the past and the belief that things were better in previous generations. Shoes shares his journey of starting Street Corner Music and the pride he feels for his accomplishments. He also talks about the financial realities of running a record label and the joy of holding a James Brown record with his name on it. Shoes discusses his transition to Twitch streaming and the challenges of making a living from it. He emphasizes the importance of kindness and transparency in building a supportive community. Finally, Shoes reflects on the decision to step back from beat battles and prioritize personal well-being.

Takeaways

• Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed can lead to a desire to help others, often at the expense of oneself.
• Putting others first can be rewarding but may result in a lack of emotional and financial reward.
• The search for originality in music can be challenging in a world where many artists imitate popular trends.
• Social media can be performative, and it's important to be mindful of the authenticity of online interactions.
• The impact of changing entertainment and technology on childhood can lead to a loss of community and social interaction.
• Staying true to oneself often requires sacrifice and can be challenging in a world that values conformity.
• Transitioning to a new city can present both opportunities and challenges in the music industry.
• Living with social anxiety can affect one's ability to navigate social situations, even in a career that involves public performance.
• Integrity and sacrifice are important values to maintain in the pursuit of one's passion.
• Navigating the music scene requires confidence, ownership, and a willingness to adapt to new environments. Building a community around sobriety can be challenging, but finding like-minded individuals is essential for support and growth.
• Nostalgia for the past is common, and it's important to acknowledge that things were different in previous generations.
• Running a record label involves both creative and grunt work, and it's important to find a balance between the two.
• Twitch streaming can provide an escape and a sense of community, but it's important to prioritize personal well-being and not get caught up in the financial aspects.
• Creating a supportive and kind community is crucial, and transparency is key in building trust and connection.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

07:05 The Power of Beats in DJ Sets

16:26 The Challenges of Being a One-Man Show

37:24 The Impact of Grief and the Need for Empathy

45:04 The Impact of Adult-Oriented Content on Children

56:30 Creating a Record Label and Working on Projects of Pride

01:13:01 The Rise of Twitch Streaming and Its Challenges