IT’S
NEVER TOO LATE TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL SONGWRITER - OR TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE - AN
INTERVIEW WITH STEVEN BASHIR
When you
are introduced to somebody and find out he’s a #1 hit songwriter and you ask
how he got into music you’d expect a response like: “I always wanted to do
music”, and you’d definitely get a “Yes” for “So you’ve been doing this for
quite a while now, huh?”. When I had a conversation with Steven Bashir his
answers to those questions were somehow different. Here is what he had to
share:
You’re a
professional musician. Did you study anything music related?
No not
at all. I didn't even want to learn the guitar at first.
But
eventually you did, right?
Yes.
When I was 11 my mom bought me a guitar and said that I should try it. I did,
however I decided I didn't want to learn it. But because she had just invested
in a new guitar she insisted on me trying at least one more teacher. I took a
30 minute lesson and after those 30 minutes, I literally ran home because I was
so excited. From that time on I would never stop playing the guitar.
So even
after falling in love with the guitar you still didn’t study anything with
music?
I went
to high school and then university to study law. At some point I thought I
would become someone like Tom Cruise in The Firm. I stayed with that illusion until
I graduated graduated.
Well
that’s quite an unusual way from becoming a lawyer to being a professional
songwriter. You successfully graduated but then completely turned around and pursued
music. How did that happen ?
After I
graduated from university I went straight to work at a big recording studio. I
knew right away that I wanted to do something else other than a lawyer. There’s
nothing bad about being a lawyer, but it just wasn’t my path.
How did
your friends and family react?
Well it
broke my father’s heart. But he’s fine with it now (he laughs and then adds:
well I guess so). My parents were really supportive. It just took some time
for them to understand that I wasn’t “throwing it all away” but really moving
onto something worth while.
Did that
change with your success?
Yeah
definitely! When both my friends and parents started hearing my music in the
radio, that helped a lot I guess. I remember hearing somebody say something
like: You know you are successful when you are in the media that your parents
know.
So is
there anything you would like to share with aspiring songwriters?
Think
twice! And don’t do it if you’re sane (He’s smiling) No seriously. I
really want to represent the idea that you can do whatever you want -especially
against all odds. Even when you don’t qualify for it in the eyes of others or
to be fair, even if you actually don’t qualify for it at first.
I like
that. That goes not only for songwriters, as well. One last question: Any plans
on going back to law?
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