Liam St. John auditioned for The Voice seven times before finally being invited to the live blind audition, where both Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani gave Liam an opportunity to move on. The difference? Liam found his voice among his passion for making music.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Liam’s passion and perseverance for music and how he continued to Water the Bamboo even when it wasn’t visibly growing.
Don’t miss this incredible discussion with Liam St. John, a blues-rock singer, songwriter, and performer.
Episode Highlights:
00:30 - Where Liam’s singing talent comes from
02:45 - How Liam fell in love with the Blues music even though he grew up in Spokane, Washington
6:54 - How Liam went from competing in Track and Field at the collegiate level to getting on the show The Voice
12:39 - Liam on risk-taking
16:18 - How Liam responds to accolades and compliments from fans.
18:41 - What it was like working with Gwen Stefani on The Voice
21:03 - Music routine during COVID
23:30 - Tips for people who want to go for it
27:17 - What kind of pandas show up for Liam
30:22 - Proudest moment for Liam
32:42 - Advice to Liam’s 14-year-old self
Guest at a Glance
Liam St. John is a blues-rock singer, songwriter, and performer currently located in Los Angeles, California.
Liam wowed Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton on season 19 of NBC’s The Voice with his bluesy rendition of “Sex and Candy”. Shelton was impressed by Liam’s versatility in the pocket, his falsetto, and his uninhibited soulful screams. The country star said Liam deserved an opportunity to advance in the competition. Ultimately, St. John chose the decorated icon, Gwen Stafani, who described his voice as “incredible” and “rich.”
Before his big break on The Voice, Liam St. John hustled in the trenches of the music industry for years, playing at open mics, empty dive bars, and making nothing except the occasional well-whiskey or slice of pizza. St. John and his band finally broke through with an opportunity to open for the British soul-rock sensation, Jacob Banks. They have since toured up and down the west coast, and across the southern states of America from Los Angeles, CA to Miami, FL.
Links Mentioned in the Podcast
Notable Quotes
“I feel like music and athletics kind of changed the trajectory of my life.”
“Finally, like felt true to myself. And that's when, like I felt my true voice came out. Like there was no judgment towards myself anymore.”
“You're watering for so long, And then when you start to honor yourself, things just start to happen.”
“Artists have stories that need to be said so that others can get through their own journeys and be on their way to becoming their true self.”
“We just have to adapt until things get better or things changed into a different norm.”
“Push forward with all your strength, with no judgment towards yourself.”
“Being our true selves is the most important thing.”
Transcript
Greg Bell: [00:00:00] [00:00:00]Welcome to the Water the Bamboo podcast, I'm Greg Bell. And this episode you will hear from Liam St. John, who after seven auditions with the show The Voice finally got his chance for a blind audition, live on TV, and ultimately proceeded to work with pop star, Gwen Stefani. The difference on the seventh edition? He found his voice through his passion and perseverance.
[00:00:40] In other words, he continued to Water the Bamboo. I hope you [00:00:45] enjoy my discussion with Liam St. John. Welcome to Bamboo Nation, Liam. One of the just right off the bat, I was talking to Anna from our mutual friend and I was talking about my podcast and about my new book or old book, Water the Bamboo and how critical that is. And first thing she said was your name.
[00:01:03] She says, you've got to have Liam on. I said, Oh, really? Well, why? Like, if he was on The Voice, he's this great singer. And she was really excited about it. And she right away sent me some of your music. Oh, my word. Oh, I was totally blown away by it. So right away, I'm going to give me his number, get him on the call.
[00:01:22] I want to talk to him. So can you just sort of, give us a little bit about who you are and tell us about your background a little bit, [00:01:30] because, you know, I've done a little bit of research on you, but your music and your voice is just incredible. Where did that come from? Like out of nowhere.
[00:01:37]Liam St. John: [00:01:37] Thank you so much. Shout out to Anna. She's a great colleague and friend. But yeah, I mean, I've been singing since the womb. I like to say, but my, my mom, I give a lot of credit to, she. She had a really great taste in music and introduced me to like Ray Charles and Stevie wonder at a very young age.
[00:01:55] I was super shy as a kid, you know, raised by a single mom. So I struggled like expressing myself, but I found comfort and peace through music at a very young age. So spent a lot of my time in my room with my
[00:02:08] headphones on.
[00:02:09]Greg Bell: [00:02:09] And so, when she introduces you to music how old were you? Like four or five. Is that right?
[00:02:15] [00:02:14] Liam St. John: [00:02:14] Yeah.
[00:02:15] Greg Bell: [00:02:15] And just out of curiosity, how often would you just sit there and sing, like how long hours or just a little bit or
[00:02:22] Liam St. John: [00:02:22] Hours. I would be on my portable CD player. Hoping it wouldn't skip, sit on my bed with those styrofoam headphones. But then I got into playing trumpet around fifth grade.
[00:02:36] I was 10 and 11 and I would spend just hours in my room practicing, listening to Louis Armstrong. And yeah, I mean, like music ignited something in me. I was super shy as a kid and kind of had a lot of self-confidence issues like I was you know, struggling at getting bullied at school.
[00:02:56] And then I started reading music, playing trumpet, and then I started [00:03:00] running at the same time and it like sparked this thing in my brain where I started to gain confidence and like started learning differently and better. And just, I feel like music and athletics kind of changed the trajectory of my life.
[00:03:14] I was super shy and like, just really struggled.
[00:03:19] Greg Bell: [00:03:19] Right. I think it's interesting about that. Like, you took some pain, you know, obviously, getting bullied and shy and then you use that to produce music and song write and do all the things you do. And it was really interesting. So I was like, I was so curious about so many things about you.
[00:03:36] I realize you grew up in Spokane. I lived in Spokane like in the South Hill area for awhile and And growing up in that environment, it's interesting that you would sort [00:03:45] of latch onto sort of Ray Charles and that kind of music. Was that, did that set you apart too? A little bit?
[00:03:52] Liam St. John: [00:03:52] Absolutely. I think I always say that the blues finds you.
[00:03:57] Like, I think it resonates with certain people. I don't think you can like learn the blues as much as like a singer and like a performer and artist, I feel like the blues really finds the people that need it. And I think as a kid, just the universe or God kind of knew that I needed that in order to be my true and fullest self, even as a little kid trying to figure out like what I'm feeling and things.
[00:04:23]But yeah, I mean, I've always got like, when people hear me and they're like, where are you from? Not [00:04:30] here.
[00:04:31] Greg Bell: [00:04:31] That's funny. So like, like, do they think you're from like the South or something? Or is that what it comes up? Yeah,
[00:04:39]Liam St. John: [00:04:39] I mean, a lot of my favorite artists are from the South. Really great blues artists, you know, all down in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana.
[00:04:47] So I, you know, I, all the credit is to the artists that created that genre.
[00:04:52] Greg Bell: [00:04:52] Sure. But it's interesting though, having models as important when I talk about Water the Bamboo to people, I always think it's really important to have a model of what you want to be. But I loved how you talked about what the blues found you.
[00:05:04]Is that right? Or is it's sort of like it, you needed that to sort of almost survive and get through your challenges in that. It's interesting too, that you did track and field. Did I hear that you were like [00:05:15] pursuing like an Olympic dream as well? Like trying to be on track that deep?
[00:05:19] What was your event? And tell us a little bit about that.
[00:05:21]Liam St. John: [00:05:21] I've been jumping since I can remember, like jumping off of things. I have scars all over my body from jumping off of couches. Like this scar, I jumped off a couch and hit my head on a Lego when I was two years old. So I'm jumping off porches and riffs.
[00:05:38] So I was a long jump, triple jumper . I watched the 96 Olympics with Michael Johnson and just track and field just consumed me from then on. And that was kind of really my frontward focus was athletics from then on. And you know, music was like my thing I would use to process things by myself.
[00:05:57]And then I started singing with the church when [00:06:00] I was about 13 or 14, but yeah I ever since I saw Michael Johnson and those gold shoes I wanted to be that. And Pursued it with every ounce of what I thought I could be and do. I mean, my goal was to be an Olympian and jump with the best in the world.
[00:06:17] And I pursued it heavily in high school. And then senior year I had a breakout here. The problem was it was my senior year so it's like, you can't really get scholarships then. So I went to a division three school and had an amazing four years at Whitworth. Just really learned a lot about leadership on that team with coach and really just poured my heart and soul into that team and into the sport.
[00:06:37] And then finally got the opportunity to go to South Africa and like, I felt like it was the realization of my dream in a [00:06:45] way, like, I felt like my peak was not the Olympics. I just kind of came to peace with that when I was training with the world's best athletes, like my training partner as a bronze from the world championships and he's an Olympic finalist.
[00:07:01]And they were just It just came to the point where I was like, okay I've realized my dream in the sense that I've been able to compete and train with the best in the world. But my body just wasn't meant to jump 27 feet long jump. So when I was in South Africa, it was like a good handoff to like pursue this passion that had been brewing in my soul since I was a kid with me.
[00:07:23] So I started learning blues guitar a bit more, like intentionally taken lessons in South Africa. And [00:07:30] that's when my songwriting floodgates opened and like released everything. And it's been something that I have to have now, like
[00:07:40] Greg Bell: [00:07:40] Let me interrupt you here because one of the things you described, the sort of going for it with track and field is really interesting.
[00:07:46]With giant timber bamboo, I tell people that it takes five years for it to grow. You can plant something on top, like, like I think your cover crop may have been track and field, but the real bamboo obviously is your music. I mean, just the way your voice and just how even getting on The Voice, that is amazing. Tell us a little bit about that experience because you're doing your track thing. And then you kind of shift a little bit and you go, Oh, this is really my thing. [00:08:15] And suddenly you're on The Voice. Like, how does that work? Like that's 90 feet and 60 days.
[00:08:20] How did that feel?
[00:08:21] Liam St. John: [00:08:21] I know I listened to your Ted Talk and that really resonated with me. I call it like the trench work. I don't think anything happens just out of the blue or all of a sudden. I mean, music has, like I said, always been my soul and like my dissenter and my full passion.
[00:08:39]And there was always just like a burning, like, ah, that's what I should be doing. But these ideas of being a track and field athlete just like kind of consumed me but it was always there. And then I just realized after I graduated undergrad that there was no reason I couldn't go for it, but it really took like a risky jump. It's a risk [00:09:00] to, to pursue this as a career. Because there's no stability or a guarantee or certainty in it. But I came to a point where I was like, this is like, I would rather be singing in dive bars for pizza than anything else. Like I finally found like, I realized that it was my purpose and passion when I was like gigging every night, going to open mics every night and just like finding meaning in it, like it became meaningful and purposeful for me to like, gig.
[00:09:35] With nobody there even. And I just realized that I don't remember I had finally found a drummer and a bass player and we drove to Seattle for a gig [00:09:45] and they were like three people there. This was in 2018 and I just had like a moment with my drummer. I was like, this is this is this is it like, this is meaningful and purposeful, even though there's nobody here like doing this is going to reap rewards eventually. And I feel like if I hadn't put myself through those gigs, Like endlessly and relentlessly searching for different ways to play, going to open mikes and networking.
[00:10:14] That's how I performed my band was like open mics. Like I played one of my songs as like, Hey, harmonica player and hey, guitar player you want to play on this song with me? And they had never met me, didn't know the song that we jammed and had this like immediate chemistry. And [00:10:30] that's the band we formed.
[00:10:31] Greg Bell: [00:10:31] Oh, are you serious?
[00:10:34] Liam St. John: [00:10:34] Amazing Brian Bayes and EwayJones there's some of them best musicians I know. And we just met at an open mic.
[00:10:40]Greg Bell: [00:10:40] I love that story.
[00:10:42] Liam St. John: [00:10:42] So 2018 was playing an open mics, dive bars for, you know, whiskey and just no money. And year later had a nine piece band was opening for my favorite artists in the world Jacob Banks. He's a blues artist from the UK and in front of 2000 people. And throughout that process, one, I found out that this is my purpose and passion is to you know, tell people their potential for them to be their true selves [00:11:15] and my platform to do that is through music. I found my voice, like I had been auditioning for The Voice for seven years now.
[00:11:24] Greg Bell: [00:11:24] Wow.
[00:11:25] Liam St. John: [00:11:25] Never made it to the blind auditions because I just, my identity was like, wasn't, it was like in the producers are like, the show is going to change my life. But once I found that it's not about that, that it's just about the process of just like the meaning of it all. Like I fully found my voice and I no longer was like, trying to perform for somebody or like please somebody or be something I wasn't.
[00:11:51] Finally, like felt true to myself. And that's when, like I felt my true voice came out. Like there was no [00:12:00] judgment towards myself anymore. And then I walked into The Voice audition this past year and just like saying to them, My heart. And they're like, that's interesting. You've auditioned before, because we would totally have cast you.
[00:12:15] Yeah. I just wasn't ready, I believe. And I think it's the Watering the Bamboo. I think you have to go through that patient series of like, just. I call it the trench work, like just laying down the foundation, you gotta find what works for you.
[00:12:33] Greg Bell: [00:12:33] Like without any roots, the bamboo, it doesn't work. And I loved your description though, showing up where there's only a few people, but you found meaning there. I try to tell audiences and [00:12:45] people kind of like you that it's really find meaning in the watering. That's where the meaning is the, you know, it's really, if you think about that, like whether there's no one there you're practicing by yourself or four people or two people. I did a speech many years ago and I showed up and there was only three people in the audience and I was super disappointed.
[00:13:05] This has gotta be like 15 years ago. And I was like, really bummed out. But I had this thought in my head kind of like you talk to your drummer or your band member. I had this thought in my head. I said, well, These, you know, three or four people are going to get the best show they've ever seen. So a year later the room was sold out. It was like, they said, Oh my God. So those people went and told everyone. So I mean that, [00:13:30] in that sense.
[00:13:31] I want you to talk a little bit about risk-taking though. I want you to sort of help us here because one of the cautions I always give people is, Hey, you know, careful about passion play because you know, it's not necessarily going to be profitable but there's something about that like if you went to a secure deal and you went all in, you could also fail at that. Right. So talk to us a little bit about like the sort of Bamboo Nation would love to hear from risk-takers and you obviously, you're taking a chance on yourself. You're betting on yourself, but what's your process to go through to get to this point?
[00:14:05] Liam St. John: [00:14:05] Well, like you said you can have the most secure, in society's terms, career, or, you know, and you could still fail. Jim [00:14:15] Carrey talked about his dad being an accountant and then losing his job. Like, it's the most secure thing you can, you could do. And so, like, If you can do the most secure thing and still end up without anything, why not do something meaningful to you?
[00:14:32] Like I have an MBA. I you know, I thought that was gonna guarantee me like a big corporate job. And after 2017, when I got my MBA, like I just felt like I was falling off a cliff there was just nothing. I couldn't get a job to save my self. And so I just like, that's what really, it was like, okay, if you're going to be falling this hard with something that [00:15:00] like you thought was just going to be stable and certain, and it's not working out like you, you can fall doing something that brings you life and meaning. And so, that's really what switched the flip in my brain and heart to be like, just bet on yourself. I struggled with that. Like I said, as a kid, I've I think growing up without a fatherly figure and like just being so introverted.
[00:15:28] I struggle with like pleasing people my whole life. Like, I think there's a spiritual element when you grow up without certain figures in your life that like, that affects a young boy, you know? And so like, I think my whole process growing up was [00:15:45] like how to please people. And then I realized that it hadn't been doing anything to really honor myself and my soul and it all came to a head.
[00:15:56]And just like I found myself in like this deep and dark depression and like, just not understanding why. And then I started digging through what brings me life. And that's when I just decided to jump into this career and give it a shot. And it's insane to see the progress that happens quick.
[00:16:18] Like. You know, you're watering for so long. And then when you start to honor yourself, things just start to happen.
[00:16:25] Greg Bell: [00:16:25] That's really beautiful. I love the way you described that, kind of like going [00:16:30] inside and sort of figuring it out and not worrying about what other people think. It's funny that you would say that not funny, but it was just interesting, you said I have an MBA and I'm not looking for a job. I'm a reformed lawyer. You know, it was interesting going into my speaking career, how many people said, what are you doing? And why are you doing that? You're crazy. That happens quite a bit to people because you know, people put their own fears on you and own challenges on you.
[00:16:54] How can you make money being a singer? How can you do it being a speaker? And one of the sayings I always tell people is tell people to mind their own bamboo. Like I got this. Obviously you've been minding yours. One of the, what are the hilarious things I found out about you is this cracks me up is you're you have crazy fans, right?
[00:17:10] They say, man, that guy can sing the dictionary. It was so funny. [00:17:15] And you actually did it on Tik Tok right? Yeah, so that just had me rolling. And I was like, this guy is so good he can sing the dictionary. What does that make you feel like when people give you those kinds of accolades and compliments?
[00:17:27]Liam St. John: [00:17:27] I mean, affirmation is I think a critical thing to know, like, that, okay I'm really passionate about this, but I'm like, am I good? Is it like, is it. I think people want to hear. So it's really affirming to hear these people who dig, what my soul is pouring out. I don't want to grab too strong onto like, encouragement or criticism. Cause then it'll just become my identity, but it means everything to me, people listening to my [00:18:00] music like this music is coming from the deepest part of me. If you've listened to any of my original songs, they're coming straight from my experiences and the most amazing thing is like, I released a song called Sinking Hole and it was so specific to my journey and like a dark part of my journey and the response I got from people all over the world they're like this song resonated with me, it just blew my mind. And I because it's something so specific to me can impact somebody, you know, across the ocean. I think that's what music is meant to do is you know, artists have stories that need to be said so that others can get [00:18:45] through their own journeys and be on their way to becoming their true self. But yeah, I mean, I love interacting with my fans like that, you know, say I could sing the dictionary is super flattering and kind of funny. So I just, I literally picked up a dictionary and Opened up the first page and started singing it.
[00:19:05] Greg Bell: [00:19:05] That had me laughing still hard. I was like, that is so good. I like your sense of humor. I mean, actually you sang the dictionary incredibly well. One of the things that's very interesting you talk about the music resonating. So I've interviewed a lot of Bamboo Farmers, if you will.
[00:19:19] And you're the first artist I've had, or music artists I've had. And it's interesting I was listening to your music this morning at the breakfast table I just had it on. And my kid says who's that like, she was [00:19:30] like, who's that I go, I'm going to interview him. And he goes, wow, that's pretty good.
[00:19:33]And I told her that you were on The Voice and and she was so, you know, and then she starts digging in and looking up everything. And one of the questions she was talking wanted me to ask you is about Working with Gwen Stefani what was that like for you on The Voice?
[00:19:48]Liam St. John: [00:19:48] That was so surreal. Finally getting to the blind audition. First of all, singing in front of those judges, their backs to me was the most nervous I've ever been I don't know if you could tell, but And then they waited basically the whole song before Blake turned and then Gwen, certainly after but it was just so surreal.
[00:20:10] Like I've been trying this and believing I could do this for so long and then I [00:20:15] finally get on that stage, which is a feat in and of itself. And then they turn the most affirming thing that's ever happened to me, but and so surreal, like it's a moment I'll have forever. But working with Gwen I just admire her career is so much, I mean, she's came come from a garage band and just has been so intentional and inguinative with her performances and just in every facet of her career she's become an icon. And so being able to work with somebody like that who has built her own career it was like, So meaningful to me. We got to basically sit down with her and Julia Michaels, who's a brilliant, and she just got nominated for a Grammy. We got to sit down with her [00:21:00] and just like hash out how we wanted to make our battle song the best it could be. And it felt like a writing session. Like we went in there, you know, we're being filmed with these like celebrities, but it became just like four artists figuring out how to make this song the most impactful.
[00:21:18] And it was a really incredible time. And I felt like I learned so much from both Julia and Gwen I wish I stayed on the show longer. I but you know, I went in there with the goal to show America my artistry in my performance and in my voice, and I felt like I accomplished that. And I'm so out of like Ryan, who was my battle partner and then Carter Rubin, who just won was on Team Gwen.
[00:21:43] And so I'm [00:21:45] truly proud to be a part of the season, like a monumental season during the pandemic. But like, Yeah. Gwen is a dream.
[00:21:55] Greg Bell: [00:21:55] That is awesome. I love that. I get goosebumps. I mean, a few times since you've been talking one of the things you just mentioned there about with respect to COVID, how do you do your music now? I mean, like, it's obviously a challenge for everybody, but as an artist, what's your routine like in COVID and what do you, are you writing more, singing more? What are you up to?
[00:22:17] Liam St. John: [00:22:17] Yeah I mean, obviously like for me as a blues artist, live performances on stage with a big band is like, what brings my soul to life. And so [00:22:30] not having that has been a massive struggle, but I just respect the people that adapt, you know, we're all going through this, the whole entire world, which has been really cool in a way, like connecting in that sense. Like I did, I joined this zoom call from it was just a open mic on zoom that I got invited to over Instagram.
[00:22:53]And there were people from New Zealand, like certain countries in Africa, all over. It was really cool. And we were all just like listening to each other, sing a song. But that's the thing is, we just have to adapt until things get better or things changed into a different norm. So I've tried to embrace my [00:23:15] online presence and just understand what people are needing and wanting online.
[00:23:22] I'm just trying to connect with as many people as I can and you know, Tik Tok has been amazing. That's really what gave me the exposure that I have right now and what's been awesome is a lot of that exposure has come from original songs that I've posted on there.
[00:23:36] Greg Bell: [00:23:36] Oh, really? That's interesting. So your deal is like, in COVID is like adapt, right? That makes sense. And then get your music out through social media platforms and Tik Tok is one of them. How do people get ahold of you? If they want to hear your music. I mean, I, you know, I do my you know, Apple music and find you, but how do people find your music?
[00:23:55] Liam St. John: [00:23:55] Yeah, I mean, I'm on any streaming platform that you can think of. [00:24:00] It's distributed on Spotify, YouTube, Apple music, but I encourage people to reach out to me on my email because I'll send them my music directly.
[00:24:10] Greg Bell: [00:24:10] Oh, that's neat.
[00:24:11] Liam St. John: [00:24:11] And then we can just talk one-on-one so there's a link on my Instagram bio that I encourage people to go to that they just send me an email and then I can send them my music.
[00:24:21] Greg Bell: [00:24:21] Great. We'll put all that in the show notes. So that'll be great. So people can get a hold of you. One of the questions I wanted to ask though is you talked earlier about doubt, you know, so a lot of our listeners have their own passions. They want to work on what do you have any sort of thoughts you'd give people that want to go for this thing, but I'm not really sure. Would you have any like tips or strategies to help [00:24:45] people?
[00:24:45]Liam St. John: [00:24:45] I get asked a lot, like I'm want to start singing like you, or like, you know, I want to start playing guitar like you.
[00:24:51] And so for like music specifically, I always tell people I'll answer if somebody asks me on Instagram. And I'll say my biggest advice is to go like push forward with all your strength, with no judgment towards yourself. That was the thing that I feel like held me back in, you know, in all areas of my life was like, I just had this judgment, like irrational judgment that like, what I was doing would like offend somebody or like people wouldn't like it. But like just push and go for it with no judgment. [00:25:30] And even if you fail, like even if my voice cracks I know that I'm pushing to find that space in my voice that I know is there, but I have to push through those voice cracks. And if I judge myself, but then I just stop, you know, and that becomes like this crippling thing, which, you know, I still struggle with sometimes like, waking up, not feeling like I'm fully achieving the things I want to achieve. And then when I'm doubting myself, it's hard to like, Take steps, you know, but we just gotta do the one thing, the most logical next step and just do it.
[00:26:08] And you never know, like for me it was, I posted one video one day on Tik TOK and it blew up [00:26:15] and changed everything for me. And before then I was just getting like 150 views, like all this time I was like, I know that I am capable. And I know that my music should be heard, but like I just, you know, kept posting like for years I've been posting on YouTube since it started and see some of my videos on YouTube literally have like less than a hundred views.
[00:26:45]But it's just about taking the next logical step and just doing it and not judging yourself when it doesn't work out, because you just never know. And if you understand that what you are doing is like what you're passionate about and [00:27:00] what you're gifted at. Like there's nothing to worry about.
[00:27:03]Greg Bell: [00:27:03] That's so good. One of the things I try to remind people is that the bamboo, say it's three feet away or three inches away, you don't judge the bamboo. You just keep watering it. You kind of detach yourself from the result a little bit, that can really help people with the doubt.
[00:27:19]I love your statement though. Take the next logical step. And that's to water one more day right. I found that, that sort of thing, being the difference between people being successful and not successful is that the successful people, honestly, water one more day. That's the difference.
[00:27:36] Right. And so it's super helpful to hear you talk about that from an artist's perspective, but also that you still struggle with it. Right. And so how do [00:27:45] you get to the one more day? I mean, all of us do. I like your vulnerability with that statement. One another question I wanted to ask though, is one of the dangers of for giant timber Bamboo Farmers is pandas. I mean, they eat our bamboo. And one of the things I think doubt is one of those things that do it just not showing up, you know, procrastination, whatever, those are, all kinds of pandas.
[00:28:08] What kind of pandas have showed up for you and your life? I guess you did mention a couple, but are there other ones that eat away at what you're trying to do?
[00:28:15]Liam St. John: [00:28:15] Absolutely. I'd say the biggest is self doubt and which I think comes from trying to please the wrong people or too many people.
[00:28:26]I think a big one is like, planning, like, you know, I came [00:28:30] from this like, Marketing education then MBA. I'm like, okay, I can apply those principles to a music career, but I have to have everything perfect and like, have a full marketing plan ready and like full branding and like all these beautiful assets.
[00:28:46]But it just kept, it was just like my subconscious, like probably just doubting that I could do it, you know? And so. I think that was a big hurdle for me was like, just, you know, just take the next step and just do it. You might not have the coolest brand yet, or the best videos, but you need to sit down and write a song.
[00:29:08] You need to go out and meet people and you need to go out and sing and like work your vocals and work your stage [00:29:15] performance. And those things will lead to your cool brand or whatever. That was a big thing for me. Let's see. I mean like social media is I think a big Panda for a lot of artists.
[00:29:27] I think you can get lost in relying on that. Basically, I was running out of fuel. I wasn't growing, I wasn't making any money. And so I like had to learn how to actually put my music in front of the right people. So I found this course online is a digital marketing course and basically learned like I was doing everything wrong as far as marketing myself goes, I, you know, it's just, so it was so self-centered and like just wasn't [00:30:00] fruitful. And then I took this class called the digital marketer and basically I just learned what actual digital marketing takes. And so. You know, learning how to run ads and writing copy and like learning the funnel of you know, taking a stranger to like a loyal fan.
[00:30:15]I was just lopsided. I was just overwhelming the same people over and over again of the same thing. So, social media really can cripple people if you don't understand it. There are things like Tik Tok, where you just can't control. It's like, but those apps are the ones you can just pound and like put as much content as you want in there because it's a viral algorithm. It's not based off of engagement, so, right.
[00:30:43] Greg Bell: [00:30:43] Well, that's interesting that you [00:30:45] just the way you even talked about that, like, what I heard in there was a little bit of, one of the pandas is perfectionism, right? Like I gotta get this right before I put it out there and then. On the other hand, you'd get lost, just kind of putting stuff out there and sort of chasing it.
[00:31:00] And then I imagine with the social media, one of the things I noticed is it creates this keeping up with the Joneses kind of thing. So you're constantly comparing yourself to other people and that may even creep back into, you know, some challenges for folks.
[00:31:14]When you think about your career, I know it's sort of, you're on the rise obviously and people are finding out about you, would you sort of describe to us what's your most proudest moment?
[00:31:23]Liam St. John: [00:31:23] That's a great question. I want to be like you know, I was really proud to open for Jacob Banks. But that's only [00:31:30] because it just came from, I think I'm most proud of just like myself for taking the dive into my soul and like my passion because I think that is what led to opening for Jacob Banks.
[00:31:47] Like doing all those dive bar gigs and going to all those open mics, like relentlessly and confidently. And like, even when I went to one open mic and I got laughed at, for some reason, I think everybody was a little tipsy or something, but it like wrecked me for a second, but I was like, okay, I can't, I can just kind of bounce, bounce back.
[00:32:11] Like, you know, didn't know anybody there. I [00:32:15] think I'm most proud of those gigs. Either, it was me on my own or me and my band, you know, rehearsing three to four times a week and we're in my whole band, like a miracle. It was just a passion project for all of them. I think they all just believed in, I think my belief in myself, like.
[00:32:37] Was resonating with them cause they all believed in the project and it was awesome to go from dive bars, with them, to like a big theater with them. And I think that's what I'm most proud of. Just like grabbing onto a passion with a bunch of people that are passionate about the same thing.
[00:32:55] Greg Bell: [00:32:55] That is so cool. I always try to give guests a name or a phrase or [00:33:00] whatever. And it was like the thing that comes up for me is just your resilience. That is just absolutely remarkable to sort of keep showing up. Who in the world likes rejection or to be laughed at, my God. And you can recover from that and show up again. And I think that's a true Bamboo Farmer, from my perspective is that kind of resilience because winning is easy, right? The Bamboo's growing that's easy, but when it's not growing and you still have that passion that's really cool. What advice would you give your teenage self though? You know, go back to your ninth grade year. You're 14, 15 years old.
[00:33:34] You're getting picked on at school, whatever is happening. What advice would you give that kid? What would you say to him?
[00:33:40]Liam St. John: [00:33:40] I think it all comes back to like, I would tell them you're being too [00:33:45] hard on yourself. And you know what you want, you know, what brings you life? And you can just do it.
[00:33:51] Like you don't have to conform to a certain stereotype in order to be accepted. And in fact, if you are true to yourself, that's when you really find the people that you're supposed to be surrounded by. And you know, you're not trying to please anybody then you're just surrounded by the people who are in the same lane as you.
[00:34:16]I think that is the biggest thing. And like, Don't be distracted, just like, do it go all in with what your heart is telling you to do.
[00:34:25]Greg Bell: [00:34:25] Wow. That's really good advice for me right now. Go all in. [00:34:30] Right? Because once you commit to something though, like that is pain and discomfort with that, right. That's sort of, that's a really, cause sometimes we're avoiding that pain of rejection or whatever it might, whatever that might be super helpful.
[00:34:44] I just wanted to sort of open the mic up to you and just have you, what would you like to say to Bamboo nation? What would your two or three things you'd want to say to the folks listening.
[00:34:53] Liam St. John: [00:34:53] Yeah. Bamboo Nation. For me as an artist and a human, I think we all have purpose and meaning on this earth, no matter what your faith background is, I think we're all created for a reason. And for me, I've like, you know, going through what I've been through as a, you know, A kid and being bullied and just [00:35:15] all that adversity in, like coming into myself as an artist, I've realized like being our true selves is the most important thing.
[00:35:22] Like I feel like there's a potential everybody has. And if everybody could at least pursue that, there would be more joy and happiness in the world. And I think the key to that is, is what Greg is teaching us. Is to keep watering, despite the adversity that you're facing. If it's something, the thing that brings you life and meaning, like continue to water it and it'll bring you more joy than any type of accolade or extrinsic motivator could.
[00:35:52]Coming from somebody who hasn't has all the accolades, like an MBA Like I found so much joy [00:36:00] and meaning in those dive bars, like it, and it results in so much more I feel like. So, just continue watering those things in and teach others to do the same and find their truest self.
[00:36:15] Greg Bell: [00:36:15] That is awesome. I love that idea. Just sort of keep watering. I can't say it any better than that. That's incredible. I really appreciate that. You you have to do the Water the Bamboo oath now, though. Okay. So I have my band on, so you've got to raise your right hand and repeat after me, no matter what challenges come my way.
[00:36:35] Liam St. John: [00:36:35] No matter what challenges come my way.
[00:36:37] Greg Bell: [00:36:37] I will.
[00:36:38] Liam St. John: [00:36:38] I will
[00:36:39] Greg Bell: [00:36:39] Continue.
[00:36:40] Liam St. John: [00:36:40] Continue
[00:36:41] Greg Bell: [00:36:41] To Water the Bamboo
[00:36:42] Liam St. John: [00:36:42] To Water the Bamboo.
[00:36:44]Greg Bell: [00:36:44] [00:36:45] Awesome. Oh, Liam you're incredible. Not only are you an amazing singer, but man, you drop some wisdom on the audience here. I really appreciate it.
[00:36:54] Liam St. John: [00:36:54] Oh, thank you so much, Greg. It's it's a real honor.
[00:36:57] Greg Bell: [00:36:58] Thanks for tuning in for today's episode of the Water the Bamboo podcast. I hope you enjoyed Liam St. John's Water the Bamboo story. If you did, make sure you subscribe to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app, and please leave a rating and a review.
[00:37:15] I'm Greg Bell. Keep watering your bamboo.