How Sobriety and Resilience Transformed My Music Career | Justin Clancy

Second chances aren't always a possibility to make things right, but they are an opportunity to prove our resilience. For Massachusetts-based artist Justin Clancy, it was music that provided the beautiful blank canvas that created opportunity; a chance he took that has seen him emerge as one of Boston's most exciting rising musical stars. Deeply personal, genre-blending, and unique in his own right, Clancy's take on Alternative Pop/ Hip-Hop has set his sound and sights ahead of others. Heavily influenced by the likes of Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean, Mac Miller, and BROCKHAMPTON accompanied by nuances of 90s grunge, his music captures emotion perfectly without ever sounding contrived, effortlessly juxtaposing dark lyricism with lush soundscapes, colorful chord-work and elegant melodies. It's through his own trials and tribulations and experiences with substance abuse and mental health issues that have given Justin the aift of alwavs beina able to extract the aood in the worst of times. Music now acts as a platform where his emotions can be freely expressed, allowing him to speak universally about the importance of overcoming obstacles and discovering one's true self. Mike Squires & Friends is proudly sponsored by DistroKid. To get 30% off your first year’s membership, check out: http://distrokid.com/vip/mikesquires Crazy Merch: https://lifeismerch.com/ Join The Squires Squad (Early Access): https://app.grouped.com/mikesquires Connect with Mike Squires: https://set.page/mikesquires/ Stream Mike Squires & Friends: https://pods.to/mikesquires Connect with Chris Webby: / chriswebby Merch: https://lifeismerch.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Sponsor 00:02:01 - Podcast Troubles 00:04:30 - Bullshting my way into meeting Slug 00:06:52 - Connecting with Fellow Artists 00:09:24 - Hustling in the Music Industry 00:11:43 - The Lesson of Humility and Resilience 00:14:18 - The Journey of a Musician's Rebrand 00:16:52 - The Turning Point in My Music Career 00:19:28 - Making a Change with Rebranding 00:21:38 - Shooting the Video with the Horse 00:24:01 - The Challenges of Filming in Cold Weather 00:26:33 - The Grind of Vans Warp Tour 00:28:58 - Memories from South by Southwest 00:31:14 - The Scooby-Doo Soundtrack and Community Support 00:33:34 - The Importance of Authenticity in Music 00:36:07 - Choosing Sobriety 00:38:38 - A Life Saved by a Scholarship 00:41:01 - Overcoming Addiction and the Influence of Music 00:43:49 - The Influence of My Dad on My Music Taste 00:46:46 - The Music that Influenced Me 00:49:19 - The Isolation of Chasing the Dream of Music 00:51:49 - Sharing stories about a mutual acquaintance 00:54:16 - The Unpleasant Encounter with a Famous Musician 00:56:52 - The Roller Coaster of Fame and Success 00:59:16 - The Ripple Effect of Not Giving Up on Your Dreams 01:01:40 - The Last Man Standing and Chasing Dreams 01:04:07 - Creating a Safe Space 01:06:57 - The Importance of Keeping the Spark Alive 01:09:20 - Keeping the Fire Alive 01:12:06 - Social Skills and Networking 01:14:35 - Left or Right Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices