Everything is a cycle.

This week marks one year at Sofar Sounds. It has been one of the highest honors to be the steward for Sofar Sounds Indianapolis. This has been one of the most fulfilling projects I have ever led. It has been so rewarding to book so many Indy artists, touring artists, and to pay them all. It has been so cool bringing live music to venues and small businesses across the city.

I have produced 40 shows and booked at least 120 artists in 30+ venues over the last year. I would have never expected something like that to be in the cards. That also means about $12,000 paid to artists and our local music communities.

I created hundreds of new customers for small businesses. I’ve been able to spotlight Black-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, LGBTQA+-owned businesses and more. We were able to help jumpstart the creative arts and local businesses who really needed it coming out of the pandemic.

One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing artists grow and thrive outside of Sofar. I found a band, Luna Worldcast, who had been playing around Lafayette. I booked them in April for their first show in Indianapolis and it was such a great performance. We had them on again in September and they told me how that first Sofar show helped them get over 70 shows since April.

It has been so dope seeing artists grow, connect and build careers. Along the way, my own art and DJ career has been growing. While leading Sofar Indy has been one of the best things I have ever had the opportunity to do, it also takes a lot of time. It takes weeks to plan each show and I want to dedicate that same attention to my own artistry.

I have worked to learn as much as I can about music business and events over the last 15 years with the intention of accomplishing my own dreams. Now feels like the perfect time for me to put my all into my own career as an artist. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do in so many different capacities as a music professional. However, all of that has only been possible because I’m an artist. I’ve never really allowed myself to be an artist first. I owe that to myself.

With that, I’ll be stepping away from my current role with Sofar Indy and into my art career. I’ll still be putting together events and helping other artists along the way. While it’s bittersweet to leave this role, I can’t describe how right it feels to let myself fully pursue my goals as an artist.

I sincerely thank everyone who has supported Sofar Indy. Thank you to all the artists who shared their art. Thank you for trusting me whether we were in a selfie museum or popcorn shop.

Thank you to each and every venue that opened their doors to us. Thank you for creating spaces for artists to be artists. Thank you for creative safe, inclusive, progressive spaces for community to come together.

Though I’m closing this chapter, I’ll always be putting events together, collaborating and doing whatever in the arts world to push the culture. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to work together.

This experience with Sofar Sounds has been a beautiful part of my life that I’ll always keep near my heart. I’ve learned so much, grown so much, met so many amazing people and heard so many talented artists. I will still be involved with Sofar Indy encouraging artists and venues to get involved. I feel I’ve accomplished everything I needed to and now I believe it’s important for someone else to have that same opportunity.

The mission at Sofar is to create opportunities for artists to be artists. I couldn’t be more grateful to have found my artistry during the process. It feels like a new start. Beginnings can be unfamiliar and unknown. This is what the Moon represents. Letting our heart’s deepest desires be illuminated; even when it’s uncomfortable. The Moon reminds us to shine in all of our phases. An affirmation that our inner worlds desire to be seen and valued as much as anything else. Quiet hearts often sing the loudest.

My art is really just feeling all the things and creating experiences where we’re all able to do more of that. I invite you on this new adventure with me and I look forward to sharing more art with the world.

Gratefully,

Steven & the Moon