Meet Gingerr Rust | Vocalist, Producer, & Creative Director

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

Hi Gingerr, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From an early age, I always gravitated towards singing and performing. I chose the music industry because I wanted to do something I love. I also wanted to feel like I’m contributing to something that I believed in and find long-term satisfaction. When I realized making music was something that could blossom from a hobby of mine into my own business, I chose an artistic career. I think it’s gratifying to both who I am now, and my inner child, to do what I love and to see where my ideas take me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’m really looking forward to the release of my upcoming album, The Authenticity Tapes. In December 2021, I released a short film titled, The Authenticity Tapes inspired by the music. It’s a narrative slice-of-life documentary cataloging my journey as an independent artist. This film follows my team & I as we discuss upcoming plans during artist manager meetings, prep for photoshoots, travel for performances, work on songs from my upcoming album in the studio, perform around LA, and have various experiences that contribute to the process ultimately showing the audience the ins and outs of my journey as an emerging artist.

I’m fervent being myself and using my art to immerse the audience into the experiences of my inner world. As an independent artist, I wear many hats.

I think it’s crucial to have an array of aspects and skills in my arsenal. Having these skills aids in making sure that I can articulate my choices to my collaborators with refinement. I like to create detailed mood boards and/or storyboards for each creative venture so that the director or production crew can know exactly what my vision is and build from there. I like to do the booking and scheduling for my shoots as well as my own set design. Sonically, I believe I have paved and polished a lane for myself. I think what sets me apart from others is my sound in combination with my willingness to use my pen to own the emotional highs and lows that come with pursuing your passions and being transparent on camera about what those moments feel like.

While I pride myself on my ability to do it all, burnout is a challenge that I’ve had to overcome in 2022. I went through a period of helpful silence where I just started reading again for fun and to improve myself. It helped me reflect and pushed me to get back in touch with myself and finish writing songs for the album. It definitely wasn’t easy. At times I’d beat myself up about not doing enough or not spending enough time behind my computer screen making music. That year helped me to grasp that it’s all part of the process and everything I did in 2022 helped me to get to this point where I have space to reflect, heal, and have new things to say. I credit having black women on my team and close friends in my corner who both understand me and my vision that will hold me accountable when need be. I wouldn’t be where I am without their guidance, love, patience, support, and hard work.

I’ve learned that failure isn’t the end of the world or a jab at your character it’s simply just an opportunity to try again more intelligently. I’m at a point where things are going well for me and now I’m navigating the emotional parts that come with having an artistic career. With that being said, I am an artist and I’m sensitive about my stuff so I’m learning how to pivot without taking it personally.

I want the world to know that music is very therapeutic for me. I always say I make the music for myself first and I think my upcoming release, The Authenticity Tapes, really showcases that. Each song is like a journal entry. Each video is a cine emerging from the wizened pockets of my real life; dramatizing what each of those entries looks and feels like. As for the people paying attention, I deem the takeaway from my footprint as a creative in the music industry is how raw and relatable the branding and content are.

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.

My Fav Breakfast Spots: Jack’s Family Kitchen on Western, The Hive in Marina del Rey, Daily Dose in Long Beach, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood, South LA Cafe, Tilt Coffee Bar in DTLA, Highly Likely Cafe, The Pan in Gardena, and Poppy + Rose in DTLA.

Morning Excursion/ Activities: Eat Breakfast at Jack’s Family Kitchen. walk over to South LA Cafe to grab matcha’s and zucchini bread, and then head to Kenneth Hahn for a nice little morning hike.

Morning Excursion/ Activities: After getting Coffee at Tilt Coffee Bar we spend the rest of the morning shopping in Santee Alley. (We go early though and leave before 1:00 pm) Grab lunch at Tacos 1986 and then check out The Last Bookstore, MOCA, The Broad, and some of the other shops along the way.

Morning Excursions/Activities: Hit up Melrose on Sunday and stop by The Melrose Trading Post to find some cool vintage pieces to add to the wardrobe. Take a class with Nicole The Pole and then grab a late lunch at Umbrella Taco.

My Fav Shopping Spots: Black Market Flea, Black on the Block, Melrose Trading Post, & Melrose.

My Fav Spots to Grab Lunch: Honey’s Kettle, Simply Wholesome, Samosa House, My 2 Cents, California Fish Grill, Lobster & Beer, Stevie’s Creole Cafe, and Three Spice Thai Kitchen

Nighttime Vibes: So boom it’s Tuesday Night, we’re going to go to Hot & Cool for their open mic, and then we’re headed to El Tejano for Taco Tuesday for the margaritas and games outside on the patio. Later we might go to an art show at Mile 44 or somewhere nearby. Then head to the Million Dollar Theater to catch the movie Street Food Cinema is showing for the night.

Nighttime Vibes: So boom it’s Thursday night, we grab dinner at Grand Central Market and then go to Lucky Strike LA. Have a few drinks and play a couple of games until we decide to do something else. We head to the Association for a night out. After drinks, dancing, and debatable decisions we get Asada Fries from the food truck outside and go home.

Nighttime Vibes: So boom it’s Saturday Night, and we’re looking cute. It would be tragic for us not to step out. I RSVP us to go vibe out to some afro beats in Hollywood. We hit up Triibe Vibes first and then Hotel W to see what they have going on the rooftop by the pool

Things to do For Fun: Brave Space Open Mic at Hot & Cool (Tuesdays), Go to Moon Global Studios and record something, Everyday People, Catch a concert, hit up Leimert park Saturday/Sunday morning, hit up happy hour at El Tejano, go to an art show, visit a gallery, museum hopping, go thrifting, dance/pole fitness class, Thursday Night at The Association, Go club hopping, go to Smorgasburg LA on Sunday, Sunday morning yoga with WalkGood LA, and plant shopping at Armstrong Garden Centers.

My Fav Spots to grab Dinner: Tu Madre, El Tejano, Ackee Bamboo, Swanya Thai Cuisine, C&O, Yamashiro, Pampas Grill Churrascaria, Pasta Sisters, and Mezcalero

Fav Spots to grab a sweet treat: Snowballs, Volcano Tea, KC’s Crepe Cafe, Salt & Straw, Stevie’s Creole Cafe, and Ginger’s Divine Ice Cream.

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?
I want to shout out Lunar Labs over at Moon Global Studios in Inglewood, CA. Their leading Engineer has been a huge part of my development and overall sonic growth. I work with their Leading Engineer Everett Moon often. The relationships I’ve built with the people I know at Lunar Labs have burgeoned into really beautiful and supportive friendships as well as opportunities to grow. In addition to being a gifted audio engineer, producer, and artist Everett is also a great asset to independent artists like myself looking to enhance the quality of their music. He recorded and mixed a number of my tracks. He also helped with the production of Meet the Jeffersons from my last project, Mr. Bleu. I recorded a number of my tracks in his room when Lunar Labs was still being built, now It’s here in the flesh. It’s inspiring to have a multi-functional black-owned studio as a home base.

Website: https://tell.ie/gingerrrust/PaSDbHuzaBty

Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/gingerrrust/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gingerr-rust-928757116/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gingerrrust

Facebook: ​​https://www.facebook.com/search/top/q=gingerrrust

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gingerrrust9935

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gingerrrust bandcamp: https://gingerrrust.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Photocredits: Everett Moon @everettmoon, Sage @sage.sage.sage.sage.sage.sage, Ally Diaz @avisualloveletter, Ally Diaz @avisualloveletter, KAANG @thaconqueror, Ally Diaz @avisuallovelettter, KAANG @thaconqueror, Jaz Woods. @jazminekind