Meet nezerat | Artist

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

Hi nezerat, why did you pursue a creative career?
Art to me is not a tool for money, or a tool for expression, it is the expression. Like how the bees dance and how the flora of the world have color, humans sing, dance, draw, and pretend. This extension of ourselves which wishes to express beyond logic is the only power I want to use and want to have. I want people to see this in one another again, to understand the art in each other, and to treat one another preciously as if they were precious art.

Ever since I was a child, all I have ever wanted to do was have fun and do my best to be a good person. As time progressed I grew to desire the act of sharing and learning. I want to use my expression as an extension of myself to change how we share with and understand one another, even if it is minute.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been doing music for almost 10 years now. I released my first ever song in the 7th grade and it was a really bad dubstep mix. I think what separates me from most of my contemporaries is the time I have spent learning and understanding, and moreover what I have let myself be inspired by. I love all music, even the music I hate. I think ultimately though, what I make is more so from within. I am deeply inspired by the work of artists like Francisco Goya, Sonny Moore, Francis Bacon, Miles Davis, Yoshihiro Togashi, Kentaro Miura, Fernando Amorsolo, Kendrick Lamar, and Sophie Xeon. I think people that listen to my music know exactly how I am inspired by these artists.

I think a challenge I face though when it comes to making art and being part of an artistic community, is the time and effort required to be present. I face a few personal mental health issues that take a toll on me, but I think that music and art is worth suffering for, especially when it is used to make a difference in people’s lives.

I think my experience is one of testing my true patience. I think no matter how many times I broke down, and things in my life went awry, I never actually wanted to quit. I might’ve said it a million times but I found myself never actually quitting. There is something in my deep core that pushes me to almost continue moving forward and do something, even when there is nothing I can do. Absurd as it may be, I have let this part of me rule my life, and push me to keep going. I think if there is one thing to take from all this, it is to find that thing that pushes you, the same way it pushes me and many around you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The most fun part of South Florida has got to be Wilton Manors and Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. I think this is where I’d bring people like me to have fun. Although, I will say that if you are a chill individual, I would probably bring you to FIU. Unlike most Florida campuses, it is varied and winding, and has many places where one can sit and see something different. Some areas offer a lot of tranquility, while some areas are bustling epicenters of activity; if you allow yourself to observe these spots with minimal judgement, it becomes a true jungle of life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?                               I think I wouldn’t be where I am without my friends and family. I am deeply inspired as well by everything around me. I am greatly appreciative of my mother and father, and all of their hard work (without them I am quite literally nothing). I am particularly grateful of all the people I have in my life right now, including my closest friends Dillon, Ian, Willy, Chris, Evie, Marcel, Josh, my two brothers, and my maiden Jessi. There are also a lot of people that I am appreciative of that have given a lot to me (some people more than they know). I would like to give a big shoutout to Grant, Orlando, Nicola, Ariel, Nicole, Adri, Geo, Jubb, Neek, Pat, Phil, Tommy, Moist, Eddy, KingKosmos, Amanda, Uri, Project RUKUS (and all associates), and probably quite a few others because a lot of people have given to me, and I am forever grateful. I do this in memory of all of my friends and family that have passed. I do this for all Filipino-Americans who want to do more. I do this for everyone.

Website: https://linktr.ee/seancapistrano

Image Credits
Photography from: Christopher Hightower