Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Thorn.
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
I grew up in a musical family in Sugar Camp, WI. My grandma owned a karaoke bar, and we’d sing every chance. I was singing in church choirs and taking piano lessons from a young age. Once I got to middle school, I joined the school band, played percussion, and picked up the guitar on my own time. I started learning a wide variety of music—everything from Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz to White Stripes and Panic! At the Disco. I toyed around with songwriting with my brother and some friends in high school, but I started to spend much more time on it in college. I decided deliberately not to study music and English because I wanted what I thought would be a more secure job in the sciences, pursuing Geography and Geoscience while writing and performing music on the side. Towards the end of grad school, I began writing more intensively. Maybe because I was more stressed out than I ever had been, it quickly became my favorite form of self-expression, and I’ve loved it ever since!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
Making music can be a challenge. Pursuing it full-time requires a lot of effort without much in return. But doing it on the side doesn’t move the needle much, and it’s hard to feel like you’re making strides. I’m a victim of the latter, but I’m trying to stay consistent and continue to make connections. It’s also a constant battle of being too harsh of a critic of myself. I struggle with thinking that I’m good enough. Something I’m working on for sure.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a musician! Around the Twin Ports, I’m mostly known for butchering requests that people throw at me, but I’ll take a stab at anything. In the past year or so, I’ve been shifting towards playing more of my original music. I love writing music to express myself and process things I read and experience. My songs have a fair amount of references to literary works and events from my life. I’m most proud that I decided a while ago that write and perform my music for myself; that way, I enjoy every show I play. If someone else likes it, then that’s just a bonus!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ross.thorn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossThornMusic
Image Credits
Becoming Our Bodies John Keefover Bryan French
