Meet Sguy | Indie Artist, Filmmaker, Streamer

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

Hi Sguy, how do you define success?
Oftentimes, especially in the artistic world, we define success by the extrinsic values that we receive. Whether that be validation, money, recognition, etc.. But I don’t think success is a destination, nor is it a specific moment in time. It took me almost 15 years of trial and error pursuing my passions in the creative field to finally realize that. You spend countless efforts chasing your dreams only to realize you are chasing something completely artificial. And then one day, it just clicks. Success is an everlasting journey of self discovery. It’s not an award or a trophy, or even you buying that house you promised your parents. Success is a decision you make to be the most honest and authentic version of yourself both in life and within your work. I think when I am fully able to imagine that to no avail, I’ll feel like I have made it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Although I have worked in the film industry professionally as a producer, gaffer, documentary photographer, and colorist for over 7+ years within the commercial and narrative space, my most proud work has been the portfolio of artistic ventures I have created on my own: my music & content creation.

For years, trying to find where I fit into the artistic world was challenging. I loved playing a part in helping others bring their visions to life in the filmmaking space, but I had always felt that I was destined to ideate my own personal and intentional body of work — which led me to live streaming in 2022 for the very first time. What started out as a hobby, quickly turned into an obsession and a love for curating entertainment-based content. And in just nine months, I was selected as a Top 32 Contestant on Streamer Camp Season 4 hosted by Fuslie, QTCinderella, BoxBox, and Kkatamina — an opportunity of a lifetime that I had never envisioned when I first clicked the go live button. I met life long creator friends through the show and truly felt like I was in the right place for the very first time in my career.

I really love streaming, despite being off the grid from consistent streams as of late. The live medium is where I feel most at home considering the fact that I am a former theatre nerd myself. But with every profession comes its challenges, and streaming, like anything else, has its quirks. It’s fast-paced, and sometimes that leaves little room for creative pursuit which is how I naturally landed upon making music.

Out of all the things I had never imagined doing, it was certainly music. I grew up singing my lungs out to all the Disney Channel Original movie songs, but never imagined writing one myself. Although I was used to singing on stage in school musicals, making music on my own felt completely unfeasible and unrealistic. It wasn’t until after streaming when I realized that this was a skill that I could really hone. In April, I released my debut single “Invisibly Colorful” along with a film in connection to my online persona Sguy. And just this month, I released my second song titled “Eucalyptus” — a song I wrote when being reminded of the feeling of being addicted to one’s attention despite being treated as disposable. A lot of my music, like my persona Sguy, covers life in a cynically optimistic tone. The acknowledgement of the bleak and sorrow grief we endure while still maintaining a sense of hope. I do really like writing sad indie pop/rock/alternative songs and speaking to experiences we all have lived through. Music is one of those universal languages that we all understand, and I hope my music specifically replicates the feelings that we all have shared at one point or another.

As for content, I have a new podcast coming out in August where I talk about the ups and downs of life as a creative in their 20s called “In The Mirror with Sguy,” available on all listening platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts and a video version will also be available on YouTube on my lifestyle channel: Life Of Sguy (https://www.youtube.com/@lifeofsguy).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh geez. Atlanta is filled with great little gems. There’s so many good little spots, but I can’t reveal them all or else you would know all of my favorite places. For starters though, love me a pro-wrestling event or concert at State Farm Arena, Buckhead Theatre, or The Tabernacle. I’ve been able to see so many tremendous entertainers like Harry Styles, Clairo, Kacey Musgraves, and Panic! At The Disco perform in these venues. Absolutely memorable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
You know, life has its twists and turns. We wouldn’t be who we are today without them. I’ve certainly had my fair share of ups and downs navigating a career in film, music, and content creation. I mean, just a couple years ago I shattered my orbital bone and felt more helpless than ever. It was the first time in my life where I was forced to stop “going” and sit still in my own thoughts. We all know what that’s like. And with every passing moment, I began to wonder: Will I ever amount to anything in my career? Are they going to forget about me once I am healed? What if I’m replaced? Am I not good enough? I had to accept my own humility in the face of finding the confidence to grow. And there was a book that specifically saved me from spiraling into an abyss titled “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action” by Simon Sinek. I credit this book to helping me re-find all the things I already had within me that I had lost somewhere along the way — my self love, confidence, and purpose.

Website: https://sguy3n.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sguy3n

Twitter: https://x.com/sguy3n

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sguy/61577992431211/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sguy3n

Other: New Single “Eucalyptus” https://artists.landr.com/eucalyptus

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/73RgKaZyy5kE6QUYgt9XeH?si=K1uTFkgZSrK_yNu7hLAr3w

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sguy/1814866350

Image Credits
Kai Morgan, Sguy