In this brief Q&A poet & host Fable shares his philosophies and experiences in the independent artist scene and the benefits of building through collaboration.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Fable?
Fable: Who am I? Ummm, I would say I am a talker. But unlike most talkers I am also a "Do-er"
What an actual Fable is (in regards of the word) Is a story that you learn from, normally which uses animals that speak as humans. And where we grew up, people could get wild, and lived like animals.
But what I do, is I am a poet/performer/host/teacher/spoken word artist.
But most just call me Fable, and let the actions speak for themselves!
We open up the youths mind through spoken word, as well as cultivate the next level of performing artists through "speak it forward" a non-profit in which we work with public schools/juvenile detention centers. And I host two, soon four shows in four different cities across Michigan. Now Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo, soon also Detroit and Ann Arbor!
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover you needed poetry to be a part of your life?
Fable: Senior year in high school. That is when I started writing, and a teacher of mine sent me to a creative writing class to further hone my skills.
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the most rewarding thing about being a poet?
Fable: I would have to say the work with the youth. Thanks to the guys of "Kinnetic Affect" and the program "Speak It Forward", we are able to do assemblies and workshops all over the state and U.S.! And seeing how it effects the kids is wayyyyyyy more than "rewarding" it's just... amazing! Besides that, I would say seeing all of the artists grow, and being able to be respected for having an open mind?
Achickwitbeatz: You host a couple of poetry series events in West Michigan, could you provide some insight as to how they developed and what attendees can gain from them?
Fable: Yeah we have "The Drunken Retort" in GR every Monday and "Put UP or SHUT UP" every Tuesday in Kalamazoo! It is just about community/support/family and honestly you get what you put into it! If you are there weekly pushing/plugging away at it, you are apart of what makes it grow, people then start doing the same with your work/your events, and that is how a scene flourishes, which is what many cities need/desire. It is all about supporting local art, with free shows, and opening the venue doors to new artists/minds.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 qualities that would place an artist in your top 10 list?
Fable: Heart, intentions, humility, professionalism, talent. In that order.
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
Fable: Arrogance. Selfishness. Bad Intentions. Hype without action. And ignorance. In no specific order. I just hate big headed people who are actually doing nothing, and nothing for the world around them, yet acting as if the world revolves around them.
Achickwitbeatz: What advice do you have to give to aspiring artists?
Fable: Work, work, work, work. If you truly want to be an artist (of any sort) put as much as you want out, into your craft. Full time hours, get full time results. That 5 hours of work into your craft a week, will get you 5 hours of pay in the long run. 40 hours a week + put in the overtime!
Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for Fable?
Fable: Hmmmmm. I don't like to talk about what you will see. I always have 1-3 year goals.
But I will say, a show in all of the major cities in Michigan! Getting east side artists here, and west side artists there, to unite the community/state.
Get more local artists paid, and bring in more nationally known artists to MI.
And you will see me doing a TON of work nationally here soon!
And a tonnnnnnn of work with the youth.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people stay current with what you have in the works?
Fable: Easily.
www.MindOfFable.com
and
www.Facebook.com/FableThePoet
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