Meet William Parker | Creative Lead, Artist and Producer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with William Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi William, what role has risk played in your life or career?

For me, I’ve gotten to the place where risks are just a natural part of the adventure of being creative and entrepreneurial. It’s almost like that favorite part of a video game that’s really hard but in order to beat the game you have to beat the boss standing in your way. I try to view risks through the lens of “it is what it is” and it helps to minimize the gravity of them, no matter how big or small.

I also aim to not think about the consequences of the risk too much where the “what if’s” could possibly deter me from stepping out in faith. We all take risks daily. So a risk in choosing a sound for an instrumental that might be really different or putting out an entire album and exposing some of my deepest struggles to listeners all get seen the same. It’s a risk, and the only way to grow and feel alive is through these risks.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I make music for people who feel deeply. I truly believe emotions are gifts and should be explored and my aim is to make the best music I possibly can while having someone explore themselves. We live in a world that’s so used to numbing things that are uncomfortable but I don’t think my music will allow that. If you listen you’ll have to think and when that happens the emotions are inevitable.

This journey was nowhere near easy but that’s why it’s so special. I didn’t have any training in music production or songwriting. My major in college was Criminology and my goal was to join the CIA or FBI. Two weeks before I graduated from school I was introduced to the music making process and I still haven’t found words to describe that moment just right. It felt like everything in my life came alive in a way that was previously foreign to me. Colors seemed brighter, words seemed weightier and more important, love felt like the most important thing we could aim for. All because I had found my “thing”, what I believe I was made to work on.

I recently released my first album on all listening platforms and threw a listening party two weeks before to celebrate. It was such a special moment for me that I’ll probably tell my grandkids about it one day. I planned all of it in my apartment, recorded 85 percent of the album in that same room and somehow the Lord made it happen. I get emotional every time I think about it.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during this journey is that you can learn anything. If you want to be a chef but don’t know anything about food. You can learn it. If you’re 50 and have a desire to be an architect but you don’t know the first thing about it. You can learn it. The power is not in having all the answers, the power is in knowing how to get them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Ok ok… They have to get here early so that we can go to Snooze A.M eatery in Oak Lawn for breakfast. I’m getting the shrimp and grits with andouille sausage and I will do my best to convince them to get the same because it’s THAT GOOD!

I love art and art museums (specifically contemporary art) so within the week we would probably head to the design district and go explore a few art galleries. I’d make a rule that very little talking is allowed. You have to let the art speak.

If I’m being honest, we would probably eat one of the following 3 items every day for lunch. Tacos,(tacos y mas is my favorite) Pizza, or Ramen. These are never not a good option.

I do REALLY enjoy the art of cooking so I’d be making a lot of dishes at home. There’s something really incredible about making something that someone thoroughly enjoys (a lot like music). I’d prepare a menu of some dishes to sprinkle in throughout the week for that personal feel.

We’d do a few dinners around town for sure. Sushi is a must (hopefully we find an endless sushi place). Pasta is always great and Eataly in NorthPark is one of my favorite places to go explore. There’s 10,000 things in there that can inspire you and I always feel the draw to try them all.

One night, we’d have to go to Cidercade on Irving Boulevard. For one flat fee you can play all the old school arcade games you want for hours! I don’t really drink so I usually get a Powerade or something out the vending machine to put back the sweat I lost playing NFL Blitz 2000 but, they do brew their own hard cider on site which is cool. I always appreciate the art behind it.

And of course. We’d try to see if we can make some music!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

There are 5 people that my current success would not be possible without.

The Garcia family: David and Jenevia were such a huge part of me following this passion. When I first started out full time in the music industry, there were weeks, even months at a time when I didn’t have enough money for food and they paid without making me feel guilty or less than. I slept on their couch, I brainstormed with them, they would push me not just to be a better artist, but also a better man. Any success I’ve had or will have is greatly woven into their story of love.

Andrew Blooms: Andrew is an incredible artist and musician but also a dearly loved friend. He opened up his life to me when I was just starting to learn about music and mentored me when I had no one else to teach me. I would take the greyhound bus from Atlanta GA, to Athens GA and sleep on his couch while we produced music together and learned about EQ, patching, microphone placement, guitar tone and tons of other things. I’m forever grateful for his willingness to take me under his wing and catapult me to where I am today.

My Parents: As cliche as it may sound, my mom and dad sacrificed SO much for me to be able to do what I do now. From selling their wedding bands so that I could have what I needed to go to college, to letting me figure out music in their spare room when everyone was questioning if I had lost my mind in this pursuit. We had a lot of hard conversations but they never stopped loving me, even when they didn’t understand. Even though my dad has passed, his faith in what God was doing in and through me will be forever appreciated.

Instagram: willl.parkr

Image Credits
Headshot image and Images 1-4: Ramiro De Loza Image 5: Kaila Parker