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

Hi Chad, what are you inspired by?
People that speak truth, musicians that don’t do “covers”, sea and space exploration, kids (youth) that care about climate change, and atheists in politics. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I just had my 10 year plant-based anniversary in October, so I’m very excited about that. I’m thankful/grateful that more artists are thinking about the planet, their health, and animals. What I’m most proud of today is looking back and listening to songs that I’ve written and knowing that they’re me. I didn’t hire someone to write them. I wasn’t trying to get rich and famous and make a “hit”. I have always written songs because I was going through something and that is what I was feeling at that time. Writing is my therapy and it’s honest. Artists that write/play their own shit are few and far between these days. I seek them out constantly and I think that the majority of people need that and want that. Truth. Don’t bullshit or copy other artists. Be inspired by them, but just be yourself. We all want the flaws and the imperfections. That’s real and that’s truth.

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.
Pre-COVID-19 Blue Palms Brewhouse which is closing sadly, Trejo’s Cantina, Fern Dell Nature Preserve, Real Food Daily, SunCafe Organic, Griffith Park trails, Golden Road Brewing, Zuma beach, and whatever dog park my dog Ripley can run around.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My life and music would not be the same without U2, Bjork, Sting, Deftones, Propagandhi, Glassjaw, Creedance Clearwater Revival, and Whitney Houston. My wife, Laura, has been the biggest support for everything I’ve accomplished over the last decade. Every musician that has ever performed on one of my songs or live performance, but mainly the four other guys in AVEIL (@aveilmusic).

Website: https://youtu.be/h5kbE9oosIY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadackerman/ https://www.instagram.com/aveilmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/snackermansfood/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-ackerman-8112353a?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chad.ackerman1
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs3iTj2BaTFolEF1dl9OX9g?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Sarah Shirock Reed Pam Muhart Nick Conroy

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.