Meet Sean Fortier
We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Fortier and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sean, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting The Natural Supernatural was the culmination of a lifetime of preparation. It was a recognition that my artistic gestation was coming to an end, and that I needed to break the chrysalis. I knew I needed to surround myself with the right crew of merry pranksters and after years of searching we’ve finally accumulated a perfect alchemic reaction.
The band has been more of a slow realization, rather than an immediate decision- and that’s allowed me to find my people.
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.
The Natural Supernatural is the true north for us in craft and creative intention. It is a melding of the natural world of technique and predictability, with the supernatural world of creativity and unpredictability. It represents art. It’s only within that alloy that beings are able to commune with each other. The medium is our guide, and the magic springs from the science.
The artistic journey has been difficult, but inherent. We don’t exist within a social structure which values art as much as it should. The Promethean gift of fire earned through suffering has been commodified and devalued externally- but it is nevertheless JUST as important to pursue.
In terms of lessons learned and challenges conquered, there have been many. But I’d say the most atomic boiling down to constituent parts would include at least one parable on the errs of waiting. Trust that your voice is worthy, and don’t hide it away. We’re finally bringing our light to the fore, and that is a lesson that rings as a paramount magnetic force hurtling us towards our eventual manifested success.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Let’s assume it’s the week of August 29th. You have a whole city laid out before you, and the urban sprawl of Los Angeles beckons you to bite off more than you can chew. I’d say take the city in sections. A couple days in Hollywood, a couple days along the Echo Park/Highland Park corridor (with Silverlake a necessary jaunt beside), a day or so in Downtown and Boyle Heights, and finish it all off in my new stomping grounds of the west side.
Hollywood might feel stale, or played out- but if you lean in to the ostentatiousness of it all then a good time beckons. Catch a show at Lucky Strike (and say hi to Crash at the soundboard). Or maybe at Sassafras Saloon and grab a Sazerac while a jazz band plays on the balcony. But if you want a truly great time, then hit Gold Diggers on a Monday and watch some of the best session players in the city jam on improvised funky jazz. Oh and The Sun Rose can be a blast as well.
Definitely hit the Goldfish in Highland Park, Or The Echo in Echo Park. (And grab a taco at El Flamin, or a pizza at Masa). The Paramount in Boyle Heights is a must.
Then finish your week off by grabbing the Bar Fly chicken sandwich at The Misfit (say hi to Joa and chat film), and catch our release show that Friday at the Venice Townhouse!
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 definitely a huge amount of bands, musicians, and supporters who have had our back over the years. Too many to list just here, so I’ll name a few who have been supporting us most recently.
We’re playing our first release show with the legendary Harry Katz and the Pistachios in August. Harry is the quintessential showman and one of the best cocktail conversationalists around.
The Egos fronted by Sherif Serag are one of my favorite live bands in the city right now. Sherif was one of the first friends I made in the scene and he’s been someone I’ve looked up to and since shared the stage with many a time.
There are so many other bands I’d love to mention, but in terms of crews who inspire me and have shown plenty of love in return: Sean Fleming and the Galaxy of Starts, Niantic and their June Gloom series of festivals, Movie Club for their commitment to artisty, and Dream Phases who really embody the psych scene in LA.
A special shout out to all the venues who make up the LA music scene. Venice Townhouse is our next stop!
Image Credits
Nikki Neumann
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
