Ross Victory (Ross) is an American author, singer/songwriter, travel enthusiast and author of the father-son memoir, Views from the Cockpit: The Journey of a Son. He spent his early years collecting pens, notepads and interviewing himself in a tape recorder. With an acute awareness for his young age, Ross was eager to point out hypocrisies and character inconsistencies in children and adults through English assignments. If he weren’t keeping his English teachers on their toes for what he would say or write next, he was processing his world through songwriting and music. After two major losses—his father and brother, and several years in corporate America, Ross finds himself pushed to share his art again, now with a clear understanding of its healing ability. Ross ties literary and music together in a unique, heartfelt way by abstracting relatable themes for readers and listeners around the world. In his free time, he enjoys local and international adventures and advocating for the homeless community in his native city Los Angeles.
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1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do art for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
My Persistence, spirituality, curiosity, self-control are all elements of me that I bring to my art. I really look up to Jim Carrey, Barack Obama, Anthony Bourdain, and Oceal Green. These people embody a level of “soulful-clarity,” which I can sense by interacting with their images. I remember when the movie “The Mask” came out. I was a small kid, but there was something magic about the idea of someone being talented and deliberate enough to pull off that character.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then what separates you from other artists out there?
I don’t know if I can compare myself. Like many kids, I grew up reading and listening to the radio. Musically, some of my favorites are BabyFace, Toni Braxton, the whole LaFace era, Ne-Yo and bonafide songwriters and vocalists. I think there is something special about being able to synthesize songwriting and singing. Even from the likes of Prince to Bruno Mars, artists who produce their art in its entirety is so inspiring. I don’t compare myself to those people by any means, but I look to their skill as examples of what’s possible. For literature, I really enjoy self-help, philosophy, and spiritual books. The book Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukov really opened my eyes to the idea of life ownership and this idea of all of our paths being separate but the desire to coexist socially. My book is based on that same idea–life ownership.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of art that you create? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming an artist?
Looking back, I’ve noticed that art has always been how I’ve coped with the world. Sadly, I did not know that was the arts function for a long time. I left it behind only to discover that the pain I was experiencing in life was from neglecting my need to express. I think I was one of those sensitive kids growing up, so I process through writing.
A huge challenge has just been self-doubt. Even with the completion of projects, it’s the belief of is it good enough to sustain me. I honor these voices when they pop up, but I try not to let them control me.
4.) As a multi-talented artist, how do you prepare yourself to create? What motivates you to engage on a particular craft on any given day and what is your process?
I really try to let it flow. For songs, if the song doesn’t come quickly or evoke some reaction in me, I let it go. Most of my art is fueled by passion. It isn’t easy to sit at a computer and go through thousands of words. It’s not always fun to replay the same beat hundreds of times, but the end result is soul-satisfying. Also, my parents were very disciplined. They worked in law enforcement, so I can literally sit and complete a task and endure the pain of that.
5.) Unfortunately the creative industry is full of talented individuals who more or less become the “starving artist” and don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
Loss has taught me that no-one cares. Not in a maliciously way, but in a distinctly human way. Naturally, we are preoccupied with the needs of our own lives. This has shown me that taking risks are ok. Criticism and compliments are external forces. The real power is to stand in one’s truth, stand behind it, and ensure our intention for doing so is aligned with our actions.
6.) Would you rather work for a big corporation or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? What makes one better than the other? Are you able to make a living with your art? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your business? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in the creative industry?
Corporations provide security, but also political bureaucracies. They have insurance, experts, and specialists on tap. But being independent reveals one’s ability to be accountable to their vision. It also allows the creative to have complete control and execution of their vision without protection. Right now, I am not able to live off my creations. One day! I have chosen to work in a corporate environment. I honor my art through the paychecks I get. Production costs are expensive. A source of income through a check that allows disposable income is necessary. Investors work if you have access to them. But again, the investment may come with requirements. I don’t think creative people necessarily have to choose a secure life or an authentic life. Still, there are ways to scale down or scale up one’s production depending on the available disposable income. Ideally, I’d like a distribution deal from a publisher of music and books that are excited about my message of outer discovery (travel) to inform inner exploration (mental health).
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the creative industry and how artists are able to market themselves?
I think the internet allows artists to control their content and message more precisely. At first, I was curious about how it would work with people having direct access to the artist. Photos, videos, stories, and posts can still be hand-crafted and selective to ensure the representation matches the message. Internet helps and may amplify the ability for one to market themselves.
8.) Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s economy if they’re not social media savvy?
Online presence is everything. If the artist does not have social media, they should at least have a website where content can be disbursed and their fans, followers can reach them with ease. Honestly, if I were not an artist or sharing my message, I probably would not be on social media. Art and social messaging offline is still powerful and potent.
9.) Artists who try to create art for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your art stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
It depends on the goals and intentions of the artist. I think sometimes the public looks at artists’ actions without knowing the artists’ internal drivers, motivation, or long-term plans. I believe that as long as my message is intact, then anything else draws attention to it. My entry is based on my book’s message of self-discovery. When I began my book project, I told myself that I wanted to find a way to preserve my dad’s memory and for him to live on in some way. So that happens with one book being sold or one hundred million. He lives on in me or in the midst of one hundred million. All serve my initial intent.
10.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I would like to be free of corporate bureaucracy, inspiring hearts and minds to live their best life from their View from the Cockpit. I plan to be writing full time, singing full time, speaking full time, traveling full time, and living my best life through my creations with a reasonable contribution to this here world.