Meet Regi Drake | Live Musician/Guitarist

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

Hi Regi, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I used to look at risks as bad omens that favored the negative outcome, but then I started looking at them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow. Everyone uses the term “No Guts, No Glory” as a way to roll the dice on something they’re after, and I’m no different. I’ve taken the perspective to never see a losing side on taking a risk. If I get what I’m looking for, great. If not, then I’m granted a learning experience and the possibility to explore new options. I’m presented with risks throughout my career as a musician. From risking my studies at school to go on my first tour, to stepping out on stage as an unknown at a jam session. No matter if I succeed or fail at the opportunity, I’ve walked away with something that I can use to further my career.

It’s not something you can just turn on in your mind; you have to train yourself to embrace the dice roll. Often, when I find myself teetering on a moment of risk, I remind myself to follow through with it using a phrase I adopted a while back: “Hesitation is Defeat.”

(Fun Fact: I found that phrase in a video game)

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name’s Regi, and I’m a live musician. Music is the the medium that speaks to me the most, with guitar being the instrument that speaks loudest. I never thought it would take me into a career where I play alongside mainstream artist, on world-renowned stages, festivals, and late night tv appearances. I’ve been fortunate enough to play across the US and abroad in Europe, UK, and more, with acts like Alice Merton, Alex Wiley, OMEN, etc. I’ve also been fortunate to have supported acts, such as P!NK, Bastille, Young the Giant, and Vance Joy.

My journey to where I am didn’t really start with a plan, but with a feeling. I loved playing guitar and I wanted to do so in as many different ways and with as many musicians as possible. From the time I got my first guitar, I jumped at the bit to play in as many different projects as I could. I kept that trajectory from my high school days well into my time in college, where I played in even more ensembles and managed to form a band with my best friends. From the connections I’ve made, all the performances seemed to snowball and eventually led to my first big gig with an artist on tour. The rest is history.

I wouldn’t say my path to getting to where I am was easy, but I also wouldn’t say it’s complicated. I think it required a lot of dedication to music; to practice the fundamentals, network, show professionalism, and perform. It required me being open and curious about many different paths in music and seeing what came from following them. One thing that I held true to was keeping my creative spirit fed through performing and stayed true to my self-expression when others questioned it.

I’m blessed to be where I am and only hope to go further in music in the years to come. I want the world to know that just as there’s a space for my musicality, there’s more for everyone else. There is infinite space for your creative ideas, be it in music or any other form of self expression. Whenever someone feels like their creativity isn’t worthy enough, just know that for someone else out there, it’s everything they could’ve wanted. Be free to release your ideas to the world.

You can see me play with Alice Merton at Basement East May 13th!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, first I’d show them the lay of the land- walk through downtown and maybe into Centennial Park. I always b-line it to a barbecue spot so I’d hit up Martin’s for the brisket and explore the Gulch. Get some drinks on Broadway and listen to some great local music somewhere. Swinging up to Bluebird Cafe is a must, too. And I have to go to Hattie B’s for a hot chicken sandwich at some point.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My musical mentor, Lamar Harris (AKA DJ Nune.) He was my first music teacher and my first band leader. He saw something in me that I didn’t see, and expanded my world of music to lengths I never thought possible.

Website: www.regidrakemusic.com

Instagram: @regidrakemusic

Other: Jammcard: Regi Drake

Image Credits
Emilia Spitale Lih Tsan