What if I told you that everything you think you know about making it as an artist is probably wrong?

Hey there, beautiful soul reading this – whether you're discovering this in 2025 or stumbling across it in 2030. Time is just a construct anyway, right? 🌀

I'm Sam Chimes, and honestly, I have no idea where this blog journey is going to take us. But that's exactly why I'm excited to document it with you.

The Path So Far (Without the Ego Trip)

Look, I've been blessed to take this music thing to some pretty wild places. We're talking 850+ performances across four continents – from busking corners in Vancouver to somehow ending up in the Top 16 at the Busker's World Cup in South Korea. Yeah, that's a real thing, and yes, it was as intense as it sounds.

I've had the honor of performing at TEDxSFU, wandering through Europe with nothing but a loop station and a dream, and even gracing stages across Australia during their RAW Artists circuit. But here's the thing – every single one of those experiences taught me that the real magic isn't in the destination. It's in the Wu Wei of it all, the effortless action that happens when you stop forcing and start flowing.

The Bushido code talks about honor through discipline, and man, has this journey been a masterclass in both. From sleeping on couches in foreign countries to learning that persistence isn't about grinding harder – it's about showing up consistently with intention.

What's Brewing Right Now

Currently, I'm deep in what I call the "Stepper Series" – think Batman meets J Dilla meets sustainable fashion. The Gold Stepper just dropped in August, and let me tell you, combining music with fashion while supporting young Black musicians through the J Dilla Grant? That's the kind of multi-dimensional impact I live for.

Chimes Academy is evolving too. We're not just teaching music production anymore – we're creating a whole ecosystem where intermediate musicians transform into confident live performers. It's like watching caterpillars become butterflies, except with loop stations and way more street cred.

The Plot Thickens

Here's where it gets interesting (and mysterious). I can't reveal everything yet, but let's just say the Red Stepper campaign involves a heist, some very specific Vancouver locations, and a narrative that might just change how artists think about marketing forever.

There's also this little trip to Bangkok happening soon that could shift everything. Sometimes the universe drops breadcrumbs, and sometimes it drops whole loaves of bread. This feels like the latter.

Why This Blog Exists

This space isn't just about my journey – it's about the random 3 AM thoughts that might spark something in you five years from now. The failed experiments that led to breakthrough moments. The times when following your intuition felt completely insane but turned out to be exactly right.

I believe in efficiency, balance, persistence, exploration, and sustainability – not just as business principles, but as life philosophies. Every post here will be filtered through these values, seasoned with a little Bushido wisdom, and served with the understanding that we're all just walking each other home.

So whether you're here at the beginning of this documentation or you've found this years later when I'm hopefully doing something even more interesting – welcome to the journey. Grab some tea, get comfortable, and let's see where this path leads us.

The best stories are the ones we write together.

The Future Awaits

As I look ahead, I see endless possibilities. Each step I take is a brushstroke on the canvas of my life. I invite you to join me in this creative exploration. Let's challenge the norms and redefine what it means to be an artist in today's world.

We are all creators at heart. Whether it's music, art, or events, our expressions matter. They connect us, inspire us, and transform our surroundings. So, let’s embrace our creative spirits and make waves together.

Live your dream, don't back down. ✨

— Sam

P.S. If you're curious about any of the projects I mentioned, stick around. The next few posts are going to get very interesting...

RAW Artists Showcase, Vancouver (2024)