Rising Music Star Hope Easton On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry

An Interview With Elana Cohen

Do it because you have must. I think we all want to make money ( well we need to survive), but regardless if you love making music, being creative then you just have to do it. I have had plenty of people tell me I’m too old, my music is weird…and I just keep making it. I guess I have also had a lot people love my music and there is nothing more satisfying! Well a million dollars would be nice too…haha!

As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Hope Easton.

Hope Easton is a multifaceted musician. Classical cellist ( NEC & Fulbright Scholar-RNCM),who composers her own songs on the cello as well as piano and guitar. She has 5 Cd’s to her credit and a new one on the way Savor . Hope performs all over California and has toured America Twice. Her song “Intermittent Conversation” was credited in Lifetime’s move A Glass of Revenge. Hope is currently performing and back in the studio! New music always in the works.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

I sold my cello when I didn’t want to play Classical music anymore (which of course I love to do now), I just ended up purchasing it back and when I did I met a singer songwriter and toured with her playing cello in her band. She even had the same name as my Mother, which was unusual. (Sheila).

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

That is a tough question, but I do find that in my life I have a lot of synchronicities so I will play with a musician, and then I will know someone they worked with and it becomes this labyrinth of connections. Many stories!

It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Well I would have to go back to my first performance on the cello. I didn’t have a holder for the endpin, and while i was playing my endpin slipped, and my teacher came running up to the stage and grabbed hold of it so I could finish playing! Not the only time I have had some endpin slipping issues…:)

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Well, when I first wanted to record my music, I had one guy who I believe was in the business, and had met another guy who was a bassist and singer songwriter. So I had the choice ( I did record some with the music biz guy…where are those songs?) and decided to go with he bassist who I felt I had some chemistry with. I still work with him today, so he has been a great support.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

This too shall pass. If you are feeling despondent, or hopeless…or if you are feeling amazing and on top of the world, this expression will bring you into equilibrium.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I just performed with a great artist whose songs are very catchy and I will be working with him in the studio, as he suggested I sound like Bjork I should think to produce myself in that direction. Looking forward to a new ear point of view!

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

Well there is music from every culture and to mix cultures creates different elements which always makes something new. I think of my music as Chamber Pop Hip Hop. Because Im classical, but I love jazz and everything in between. Of course rhythm is the heart of music, so that is maybe where I need to put more focus. Nothing better than bass and drums!

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. Check your stubbornness . I had a manager interested in managing me. But he was telling me what to do ( get a bass and drums…) and I was like ok, how am I paying for that. I was actually waitressing at the time. So I decided not to go with him. Probably a mistake do to my stubborn nature.
2. Rose colored glasses. Even if you don’t want to be at a gig or job, best to put your positive glasses and energies on and be happy and enjoy making music. I think sometimes we musicians are finicky. There is an expression in the music world, how to make a musician unhappy, give them a job. :)
3. Appreciation, I seek to be appreciated and it is overall great to feel appreciation for other people, other jobs and gigs, even if in the moment you are somehow suffering. My last gig I was the “opener” but I was placed in an area that the sound was not being heard, and I felt like crying but I played /performed and know it will bring me some kind of benefit even if in the moment I did not feel so.
4. Almost always say Yes to a job. I was once asked to play Violin on American Idol, and I declined because I wanted to be seen as a cellist. I ended up buying a Violin and now Im teaching it. I should have said yes because I could have faked it fairly well. and I actually have Violin envy :)
5. Do it because you have must. I think we all want to make money ( well we need to survive), but regardless if you love making music, being creative then you just have to do it. I have had plenty of people tell me I’m too old, my music is weird…and I just keep making it. I guess I have also had a lot people love my music and there is nothing more satisfying! Well a million dollars would be nice too…haha!

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Don’t pressure yourself to create. There are waves of inspiration, so if you aren’t feeling don’t worry. Its like the old writers block. Those are other people’s fears. The music is always available to come in and be expressed!

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would create a movement to never give up in your dreams. Keep hope and keep on!!

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

John Williams the composer. He is probably the most successful Film composer and I would love to have him hear my music.

How can our readers follow you online?

My website is hopeeaston.com Youtube IG LinkedIn all Hope Easton

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!