This is a series of conversations to explore how other artists and creatives are spending their time and energy during the quarantine. In today's episode: Greg Osei.
(original picture by Leo Mascaro)
» Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a New York-based singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and interdisciplinary artist. I think most of what I do personally and as an artist is driven by a desire to find connections - connections between parts of ourselves, connections between cultures and people, connections to our pasts and futures, connections between our inner worlds and our outer experiences. I think as the U.S.-born son of Ghanaian immigrants, as someone who lived several years in Latin America, and as someone who has often felt like a bit of an outsider, finding connections was something I found myself doing in order to understand and love myself better.
» How did the quarantine affect your work?
In a lot of ways, quarantine really focused my work. The stillness and solitude helped me to really plug into who I am personally and creatively in ways that I hadn't before. I've interestingly been relatively unplugged from social media, which has also helped a bunch. This time has been a period of constant curiosity and discovery. It has also been a time of emotional ups and downs, I think as it has been for many of us. That said, I've been able to just be with those emotional changes and learn from them rather than avoid or repress them as I might have otherwise.
» Did you have any big plans for 2020 that you had to cancel or postpone it? What was the impact?
I didn't really have a lot of plans in the typical sense. I had a couple of trips planned that got canceled, but that's just about it. Honestly, most of my goals for 2020 were internal ones, ways of thinking and being that I wanted to really cultivate this year. I normally set intentions each new year, and for some reason, this year all of my intentions were ways I would treat myself, ways I would think, and ways I would show up in the world. It's interesting because those internal goals actually ended up being fuel for a lot of "external" endeavors. It just came from a different place than usual. It's crazy how quarantine made this year a very "interior" one because it really pushed me to work on those goals I'd set.
» Since quarantine started, did you start any new projects, pick up any new hobbies, develop new abilities, etc?
I've done several online performances during quarantine, which were all rewarding experiences in ways I didn't expect. In this time when so many of us are dealing with so much, I've become more aware of how art can be a source of comfort, hope, and clarity for artists and audiences. I also set up a one-month songwriting challenge for myself and wrote almost 20 songs. I'd never created music so intensely in my life, and I learned so much about myself and my creative process as a result of it. Since then, I decided to really build my music production skills and produce my upcoming music releases. I bought recording equipment and have been working on an album, which has been very exciting and very challenging. I'm planning to start releasing material in the coming months!
» If so, is there anywhere online we can see what you've been up to?
I haven't posted any of my new music just yet. My Instagram is a good place to get updates on what I'm doing, and some of the projects I've worked on during quarantine can be found there. You can also see my last big work, which was the music video I directed for my original song "Searching for Wonder". It has been amazing because the film has actually continued to screen at film festivals online even during quarantine, and I was honored to be able to help create a community in this time of physical isolation through art.
» Any advice for people who are losing their minds and looking for new things to do/try?
I think it's important for us to remember that everyone is going to experience this moment in his/her own unique way, and that is ok. I think that believing that you "should" be doing something during quarantine often makes you feel worse. Inspiration and action actually come from being curious and compassionate about what it is that you're desiring in each moment and giving yourself the space to figure that out. I read this article earlier this year, and it really helped me to remember to be kind to myself and others in this moment.
» Any tips on music to listen, books to read, film/tv shows to watch, anything like that?
Music - Sault's latest two releases, Untitled (Black Is) and Untitled (Rise), PJ Morton's The Piano Album, Victoria Monet's Life After Love, Pt. 2 for some feel-good vibes, Harry Styles's Fine Line is a mood shifter, and this entire Afropop playlist on Spotify.
Books - Against Purity by Alexis Shotwell if you want to get academic, The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan W. Watts if you want to get metaphysical, Guapa by Saleem Hadad, The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez, and The House That Will Not Stand by Marcus Gardley if you want to get fictional :)
Movies/TV - Black is King, Love Victor, Avatar: The Last Airbender (The animated series!!!), Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace concert film, Sense8, and Sex Education.
I also recommend following @sonyareneetaylor on Instagram and just watching her "What's Up Y'all" videos because she is dropping all kinds of transformative knowledge that we can use to make this moment into an opportunity to uplift the world and our lives.
» What are the best channels/social media for people to be following you?
if you enjoyed this conversation, you may enjoy the other ones from the series by clicking here.