Meet R.J. Parker | Artist/Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with R.J. Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi R.J., we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe risk is essential for growth and development, risk removes us from our comfort zone. That being said I haven’t always had the best relationship with risk taking, for a long time I prided myself on being very calculated about taking chances which I still believe is important but I do think there was a lot of doubt and apprehension included in that, that I didn’t acknowledge. To that is say take as many risks in safe and intelligent ways, because on the contrary not all risks are smart risks to take.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m not fully sure what sets me apart I think that’s the whole journey I’m on musically figuring out what that thing is. And what it is right now vs. down the road may change. I’d like to believe it’s child like curiosity and excitement. My musical story started when I was born my mom said I used to tap on my car seat before I was able to talk. My mother is an amazing gospel singer and her father was a bass player and percussionist that played for some greats even James brown. It’s. Always been in me but at one point I stopped making music and really dove into athletics track and football in California. music was always tugging at me. I rediscovered my passion for music when I started producing for a friend of mine in college, I had no access to drums but I could make beats so that’s what I did. When COVID hit I was forced to move back to Seattle but I ended up in mead st. Truly a blessing from there I was able play the drums again but also add a couple new instruments to my belt. From there I started doing shows my first show was my good friend talaya she catapulted me into the Seattle music scene. I’d say it wasn’t easy to get to the point im at right now but it truly wasn’t too hard. I believe when you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing doors open for you. When doors don’t open it may not be a door to break in it may be that you’re at the wrong door. My advice is to pay attention to your direction and be open to redirection. If you feel like you’re swimming against the current you probably are that don’t work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had to take somewhere it’d be west Seattle, go to. Nikkos teriyaki for a bite to eat then take them to gas works park sit in the sun. After sunset I’d take them to one of my favorite bars, shaboya where they spin vinyl on a beautiful sound system. I’d say the next day go on a hike. I love to see beautiful sights. Seattle is crazy beautiful in the spring and summertime maybe take the ferry to one of the islands just to see how beautiful the water looks when the sun glistens

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?
Id love to dedicate this to mead st. Studio and team. Community is so important to me, mead is the community I truly belong to and in. Mead is a family, and a way. We support each other and look out for one another truly a light in a dark world. That space changed my life and my musical trajectory truly.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjparker.wav?igsh=MTAzd3RxcG5yd3dzYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Kyla Cantillo