ANAKIM - The Importance Of Mental Resilience, Visualization And Delusional Belief

Join The Cult Creatives "Build A Brand Workshop" - June 27-30 in Los Angeles
Info here: https://thecultcreatives.com/workshop

Anakim is a melodic techno artist who put the blinders on to go all-in on his goals and dreams. He's played at some of the biggest clubs with some of the biggest artists in the scene, toured internationally and recently launched his own record label "Celestial Body Records".

In this episode we talk about the inspiration for his project, his success in the industry and the resilient mindset and work ethic that has fueled it all.

Follow Anakim here:
https://www.instagram.com/anakim

Follow Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

And visit my site to join the mailing list or book a free coaching call:
https://www.nikcherwink.com

Transcript

Anakim: 0:00

everybody thinks that good music as an artist. of view But in my point having really killer music is like a high school diploma, right? That's level of entry. So is it that you need to go farther? I think you have to cultivate mental resiliency, and you have self crazy belief. Within yourself almost delusional self belief, right? Mix that with, an undying work ethic and you will get places,

Nik: 0:46

what's up, everybody. Welcome to the headliner mindset podcast. We have a really exciting episode for you this week, but before we dive in, I want to share once more about. Really fun and really exciting. That's coming up the last four days in June, the 27 through the 30th, we are going to be doing the second annual cult creatives build a brand workshop. If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you've heard me talk about the cult creatives and amazing branding and marketing agency that I work with. And you've also heard me talk a lot about branding. You've heard me and my guests talk about how it's really important. To know who you are as an artist from your visual identity and how you're portraying yourself. But even on a deeper level, like what do you actually stand for? What are you all about? What do you believe in? What are you saying as an artist besides just making music? You know, one of the things that we say is the music is just the soundtrack to the movie. So have you figured out what your movie actually is? You know, this is why marketing can be hard for a lot of artists. And it seems like it's always an uphill battle because we haven't really actually figured out what are we saying and what are we posting about besides the fact that you have a new song coming out cool. Everyone has a new song coming out. What else are you saying? What else are you about? So that's what this build a brand workshop is all about to spend four days to work with a professional branding and marketing agency. The Colt creatives team is incredible. We're also going to have guest speakers every day. We have Henry Fong, Flasher Dom is Valentino con. Badass OG guys that have been in the game for a long time that have incredible brands. They're going to be there to hang out with you, to share, answer questions. And then most importantly, on the last They were doing a full day of photo shoot. So you are going to walk away with super high level professional quality photos as well as just a super clear understanding and game plan and strategy for your brand and how to actually really build a fan base around it. So if you're interested, you can get more info at the cult creatives. com slash workshop. There will be a link there where you can book your call. I'll have a link to that in the show notes. But also if you just want to hit me up directly, send me a DM and we can hop on a call. I'll tell you more about it, but we would love to see you there. Now, as far as my guest today, he is not only one of my favorite artists, but one of my favorite humans. I recently saw him at EDC and just had a blast hanging out with him. Such a genuine guy. He went to Icon Collective many years ago when I taught there And he has since gone on to build an incredible brand and career for himself as a progressive and melodic techno artist Totally crushing the game right now. This is Anakin

Anakim: 3:17

What's up, Nick? Thanks for having me.

Nik: 3:20

brother. Thanks for being here, man. So excited that we can do this. I know we've been talking about having this conversation for a while, and today is the day that we get to sit down and dive in. So I am very excited.

Anakim: 3:32

Me too. Me too. A lot to talk about today.

Nik: 3:35

Yeah, dude, we have a lot to catch up on. Uh, you know, you and I have known each other for a long time. You are, you know, one of the, one of the many guests that I've had that was a student from Icon Collective, like, back in the day. Went through that program, really dedicated yourself to your craft, to being an artist, to being a producer. are now out there doing some fucking cool stuff. So really excited to hear a bit about, you know, your journey and also everything that you're up to today. Uh, first off, I'll say it was so awesome to see you at EDC. That was a really cool, pleasant surprise just to be like rocking out on stage and then turn and turn to the side of like, Oh shit, dude, what's up? Like that was just, the universe brought us together and that was super special for So I'm glad that happened.

Anakim: 4:21

The universe always works that way. And honestly, running into you EDC was one of the highlights of my entire weekend.

Nik: 4:27

I agree, bro. I agree. That was really cool. Got to link up on the last day as well. And my, my highlight was getting to introduce you and Mikey, Mikey Francis. One of my brothers, a, a long time client. He launched his project, Human 404. I'm calling you guys the Vegas Technomafia because y'all are Guys that live out in Vegas that are making really, really cool techno music. So that was great to, to get you guys introduced. And then also my favorite part about that was that y'all both brought your wives out too. And the wives hit it off, they became friends. It was just like such good, perfect, positive vibes, you know, like it was just so fun. It was special.

Anakim: 5:07

lot of people And to top that off, I know a know who Mikey is, we just found out that our birthdays are like a week or so He also lives literally five minutes away from Summerlin. so many things

Nik: 5:21

Yeah, dude, and I felt that I was like you guys need to know each other. You guys are just both Really cool good positive dudes making similar music. So yeah, the planetary alignments were strong

Anakim: 5:34

for sure

Nik: 5:35

Yeah, man, well look I want to I want to Go back to, I want to hear a bit about your origin story, cause from what I remember, I don't know if you came to L. A. for acting, but weren't you like, doing acting, I think, in your early days? Is that what brought you to A.? Tell me the story.

Anakim: 5:53

um So so prior to me transferring to UCLA, I was a junior transfer. I was modeling in San Los Angeles. I was living with my parents still. Uh, and I only wanted to go to UCLA. That was literally the only college that I wanted to attend. Um, my agency that was based San Diego always sent me on castings to Los So when I got into I got into UCLA and I was like firmly in Westwood, I was still modeling, but the modeling led into commercials. And it just so happened that the first I believe it was a Wendy's commercial, Wendy's national commercial. I ended up booking. And so I found myself on set and I'm, you know, acting for this, uh, this Wendy's commercial. And it was at that point that I realized, Oh, this, this thing that I watched this TV that I watch all these TV shows that I watch. Right. What seemed like it was so far away actually was just within my reach. Right. Because I'm based in Los Angeles and I found myself on set. said, you know, Why don't I just go for this acting thing? Like I know I don't have any experience or just land a good acting class and really dedicate myself to that, I bet I can start booking TV shows and, and it took two years, but, uh, I found myself on, on TV shows like pretty little liars, big bang theory, castle CSI, New York. And throughout the time that I was pursuing acting on the weekends, And on the weekends, I was going to raves and, you know, big festivals, big club shows, Hollywood Palladium, Exchange LA, stuff like that. My very first rave ever was EDC 2010. So, from that point on, I was literally right, the last EDC that was in Los Angeles.

Nik: 7:52

Yeah, dude, that was a kind of a kind of like a historical moment. The last LA EDC that was there as well. Yeah.

Anakim: 7:59

it was and I think it was for a lot of people too, because I hear, I meet a lot of people, and we talk about what our first festival was, and a lot of people that I meet, they say EDC 2010 was their very, very first festival. So, so yeah, so that was my first festival, was just doing that on the weekends. My friend group who introduced me to rave culture, They were into it, but I became obsessed with it. years during the four that I was pursuing acting and, and I was on TV shows and like some movies, the big, but I got to work with people like, you know, Terrence Howard, um, Thomas Hayden Church, and, you know, every single person that obviously that was on those TV shows too. Towards 2014, I realized that I just really hated acting. I hated the process. I hated going into auditions and immediately being judged. Right. I hated being stereotyped, um just put in a box immediately.

Nik: 9:02

Yeah. just off of how you look. yeah

Anakim: 9:07

then you know for example I would go I would go into auditions and, and within the character breakdown. It would give you the character and I would prep my character and then without fail at the end of every audition, they'd be like, Oh, wow. You know, Ricardo, that was so good. Is there any way you could possibly do it with an urban accent? And in my mind, I'm like, you guys me to like, somebody ghetto, single time. so so I got so disenchanted with with the whole acting world And then I randomly read. An article, uh, Oh, no, it was an interview, interviewing Mac and so yeah, I remembered him on the Coachella lineup I didn't know who he was. So I was like, Oh, let me read about this guy. Uh, apparently he's a DJ. And in specific interview, he mentioned this school that he went to this music production school that he went to where he learned how to actually produce music on a computer. Right. Awesome. Bye. And that school was called Icon Collective, and so that was just burned in my memory as I'm, as I'm just so unhappy going on auditions and, and whatnot, and being an acting class through 2014, I just, I kept thinking school called Icon and, and hit a friend named Ashley Johanson. And Ashley,

Nik: 10:35

be my intern.

Anakim: 10:36

that's right That's right So many connections, right? I

Nik: 10:40

Shout out Ashley Johansson. Okay, wait, wait, wait, let's close the loop. Speaking of EDC 2010, that was her first rave because I fucking took her to it. Because I was, I was listening to Deadmau5 every day when I worked at Capitol Records and just bumping EDM and she sat next to me and she's like, I kind of like this music that you're listening to every day. And I was like, hey, you want to go

Anakim: 11:02

That's so crazy

Nik: 11:04

her origin story. Yeah shout out Ashley. Yeah

Anakim: 11:10

I knew Ashley worked in the music industry And so I hit her up and I was like Hey have you heard of this this school called Icon Collective Is it legit? And she was like, Oh yeah, it is artists like Jaws and Slander and Keanu Reeves. Keizo they all went there and they're all about to blow up. And then, you know, by by the end of that year, like all of those bass artists were massive. And I said to myself, Oh my God, in the water at this school? to go there think I might so rewinding when I was at there was a lot of times that skip class just to make beats in my room. If you're in college listening to this, go to class, don't be like me, but I would literally just stay at home making uh, FL studio. And so, you know, when I applied to icon, those were the beats that I showed you guys, and then I think that was November, like two months later, I found myself. Sitting in class January 5th of 2015. I found myself in class completely quit acting Didn't tell anybody about it. Literally went ghost on socials for an entire year because just wanted to tune out any sort of chatter that could have been like, Why are you leaving acting? Things are going well. You're going You know anybody in music, you know, all of this negative talk that I could have possibly come across, tune it out by distancing myself from everyone. And then I just, I dedicated myself to the for all of 2015. And then, you know, January, came, didn't in the music industry, but I had this, this uh, two track EP. And I remembered. My friend Aaron Briscoe, who I'd known since kindergarten, but away in third grade. We kind of kept in touch. I remembered Aaron worked at uh I I sent him the EP and and I was like, Hey, man, I don't really know what to do. And he's like, yo, this is really good. Um, are you looking for a manager? And I jokingly said, I was like, why do you want to manage me? And he was like, you know, I have all these contacts. I've been thinking about it. Why don't we just try it out? And so I was like, okay, cool. Like, I don't really know anybody else. Why not? What do I have to lose, right? So from there, Aaron was to shop my EP to like artists that he knew. And he happened to have a good relationship with Lane8 at the time. And uh, Lane8 was thinking about starting a record label. And That record label today is called This Never Happened. So he held onto the tracks for quite a bit of, uh, 2016. just Meanwhile, I was still producing, didn't know anybody. It was kind of just lost in my apartment, had no idea what to do. But then Laney got back to us later in 2016. And he was like, Hey, so we're, we're, we've decided that we're going to go in a different direction with the label sonically. So these tracks won't fit the label, but can Ricardo make a mix for me? So I can see if he can DJ because we're thinking about taking him on the Southern California portion of his very, very 1st this never happened tour.

Nik: 14:31

oh wow and had been djing that point

Anakim: 14:35

So prior to, to going to Icon in 2014, I found a dude on Craigslist was selling CDJ 900s, like 900s without the waveform or anything and a DJM mixer. And so I was like, I really love DJing. I just want to teach myself how to DJ. So for all 2014, I just taught myself how to DJ in my apartment. So I was, I was DJing, but I was DJing facing the wall.

Nik: 15:03

Yeah, yeah

Anakim: 15:04

visioning a crowd right? Um, and I was doing that literally every single night, every single time I had friends over before we went to a show, I was the one who was DJing and stuff like that. how I learned how to DJ. I taught

Nik: 15:16

Dude, i've seen some videos online now and then of like a kid You DJing in front of like just like a TV screen with a crowd on it And I think that's the most brilliant idea ever is like put the crowd out there visualize yourself you know, like you said you can just be staring at a wall or even just like a photo a picture but like You know the power of manifestation, the power of our mental energy and where we're guiding it, where we're focusing it. I think that I truly believe that is so powerful. So like, when I see those videos, I think the videos were kind of filmed from the perspective of like, making fun of them, like, look at this, you know, idiot, you know, but it's like, no, dude, that motherfucker is going to be headlining shows very soon because he's putting in that reality. So I think that,

Anakim: 16:02

Exactly So so I'm going to tie back into exactly what you just said. So, late eight listened to the mix and we offer for The Southern California portion, mind you, I had never deejayed outside of my Um so then Aaron uh, ended up introducing me to the talent Booker and sound Mark and who's now one of my really good friends. Right. And Aaron told him about what we have going on. But then Aaron was like, Oh, Hey, I saw that Jeremy Olander is going to be playing at the end of the month. Is there any way we can get guest list? And Mark was like, How about Ricardo just opened Oh we were like, yeah, of course that that'd be no problem at all. Right. Mind you, Mark had no idea. I had never DJ outside of my apartment. He thought I was already today Right? Like, we joke about it He always says I would have never booked you had I known right.

Nik: 17:04

Hey, there is something so real about fake it till you make it. Like, straight up, like, it's some real shit. It's some real shit. I've seen so many people, like, make significant progress in their career, not necessarily having the experience or talent, but having the fucking belief and the confidence. Like, it goes a long way, so,

Anakim: 17:22

It does go a long way you're right So so to tie back into the visualization thing my very, very first show ever was Sound Nightclub. It was a sold out show supporting Jeremy Olander, right?

Nik: 17:35

Yeah.

Anakim: 17:35

I was so comfortable being on stage DJ in front of the crowd because I had visualized that like thousands of times prior that it literally just felt like being in my own apartment. Right? So yeah, tie that back in.

Nik: 17:55

What is your process when you say visualize it? Like you just, when you were in your apartment, you were just like imagining a crowd in front of you. Like what, what's your actual visualization process? Yeah

Anakim: 18:07

a show Looking at the DJ I just flipped the perspective and pretended that I was the one on stage looking at the crowd, right? And seeing the crowd reaction to like, you know, and the drops within the tracks that I was just, practicing with.

Nik: 18:22

Cool. Cool, man. It's so true. It's so true. It's mental rehearsal. I mean, athletes do this. They've done studies where they'll take, you know, like a basketball players and they'll run them. They'll say, you know, this group like runs through drills and or just shoes does like X amount of free throws. Does drills and visualization and then this group does just visualization and even the ones that like they just will sit there and have them run through their mind, making the shot, making the shot, making the shot, they actually perform almost just as well as the ones that are like actually doing. The physical action of it. It's wild. There's been crazy like studies about that, but I love that man. See yourself in there now. I want to take a few steps back. You said something really interesting and I think important about your come up, which was when you went to icon. It sounds like you really just put the blinders on like you blocked out. You said you kind of disappeared from the acting world. You were intentional about Being super focused and blocking out any kind of narrative or questioning of what you were doing. I think that's really interesting. I want to know a little bit more about your mindset when you went to icon. Cause it just sounds like you were really focused and really about it. Like, tell me more about like when you actually made that decision and what was going on in your head and what your mindset was like.

Anakim: 19:50

Yeah So I just had such a love for music love for music always had a since I was a really little a musician being didn't didn't, I a path think that that that was because I was just with the pop world or I was with the rap world, right? The very, very first time I even. Got some sort of a, a whiff of DJ culture was when interned Dim Mak Records when I was still at UCLA, but, at the time was transitioning from an indie label dance music label. Right? So the only real DJ that I got to see uh, Steve Aoki was my boss there, probably me today, but I was like, Oh, you know, this dude's a DJ travels the world DJing, but I didn't, I didn't realize that DJ culture, like, the productions were as massive as they are. Right? Into I got ICON, because I had already experienced so negative talk self doubt talk, not coming from me, obviously, when people tell you like, oh, why are you pursuing this avenue? what you're doing That self doubt It's so difficult. Is just a projection coming from within themselves. Right? But if you don't have, mental resiliency, you might feed into that yourself. So, in order for me to block all of that out, I decided I'm not even going to tell anyone that I'm pursuing music. I'm not going to tell anyone that I got into this music production program. I'm just going to slowly disappear. If people reach out to me, I'll reach to them. But in for me to really focus, I'm going to have to any potential of that coming into my life. So I literally just went ghost on socials for basically that entire year. I hung out with my really close friends. I think I told maybe five people, my closest friends outside of that. As far as everyone else was concerned, I was still going on auditions. I just wasn't booking, right? Yeah,

Nik: 22:15

I like this idea of mental resilience that you bring up. And was that, as far as, Experiencing kind of haters or people that are doubting you and your vision and your dreams and your goals Was that something that you experienced like as an actor when you were pursuing that is is that where you kind of? Learned that lesson to just more so stay in your lane and not tell people Yeah,

Anakim: 22:44

especially when I was first getting into it Um the second major lesson that acting taught me was to never talk about it. You should be about it and to also not tell people what you have going on until it's completely solid. Right? For example, the very, very first role that I ever booked was This role on the season 4 finale of Castle. the whole entire episode revolved around my character's death. But we were filming in downtown LA, all these different locations. I'm actually speaking with the actors and stuff like that. And then when it came time for the premiere, a few months later, I posted on Facebook. Hey guys, my very first acting role ever is going to be tonight. Um, season four finale of castle and castle was a huge show back then. Right. And I was like, I can't wait for you guys to see it. And like, you know, I got all this hype built up and And my friends based on the East coast, because the East coast feed was first, they texted me and they were like, dude, that was so cool. And I was like, Oh, you watched it. They're like, yeah, it was so cool to see your face on TV. And I said to see my face on TV, I'm like, but how are my lines? And then they wrote back what lines? And I realized lines cut all my right? And I hyped up this whole entire So after that, I don't, I don't ever talk about it. And you know what I mean? I don't want to go through sort of that again.

Nik: 24:27

Yeah, yeah, I get that. And I've heard both perspectives, you know, on the one hand, you know, I am big on like, manifestation, speak your goals, like, like, like, speak it into existence, right? And I've also experienced many times to where it's almost like, Speaking about it too early sometimes it almost like takes the energy away from it You know, it's almost like you kind of jinx yourself in a

Anakim: 24:53

yeah I totally agree

Nik: 24:54

that perspective too because I've had good handful of examples to where I'm like, hey, I got this thing going on It's like no then it's taken and you don't

Anakim: 25:01

huge huge So I'm a believer in the law of attraction and the law of manifestation. Massive believer. I wouldn't be doing what I'm tapping into those two, right? But I think you're right. I think there is a way to go about it. example, again, that role, manifest that role, but that role didn't turn out exactly the way I had thought it was going to, right? So, it's a tool that you can tap into, but I think you have to do it correctly in many ways.

Nik: 25:35

Yeah, well, and also this is what I love about manifestation is, you know, you got to be careful what you wish for sometimes too, because it's like the universe will give it to you, but not necessarily in the way that you want it. Like I was asking to go, I was like, Oh, I want to go full time with coaching. And I'm visualizing like, all right, I'm going to make this transition. I'm going to save up all this money. I'm going to have this like, You know, kind of proper exit. And then it was like one day I got laid off from my con and it was like, Oh, Oh, okay. You're going full time with coaching now. I was like, well, that wasn't exactly what I was asking for. it did it did work itself out in a mysterious way, you know, and and just just to share that story It's actually really funny This was wild or I had a I had a number of in my head in mind of like once I save up this amount Of money, you know, I'll have a little nest egg. I can make that transition go full time You know, I think at some point everybody, you know You you had to make that decision probably some at some point to as an artist like when do I go really full time with it? When do I quit the day job? I had a number in mind and um That's the number I was thinking about. I was, I was literally like locked in on this number and all of a sudden, you know, I just got called in one day and they were like, Hey, look, we see you wanting to go full time with coaching and we're going in this direction. We're expanding the business in this direction and you know, we think it's time to, to part ways and here's a severance package that added up dollar amount that I was wanting, literally the exact fucking number. Yeah. So. doesn't always work out the way that you want, but also just, yeah, just trusting. There's so much faith. Just trust that there is some divine orchestration out there, that there is some bigger force, some bigger universal fucking energy and, You know, when your heart's in the right place, when you're dedicated to your passion to your mission, you know, it's like it will all work out. It might, there might be some, some, some left turns and some right turns and some spirals and some ups and downs. It's my, it's not going to be a straight line, but like, just trust that all of it actually is in your favor. They say, life is happening for you, not to you. You know, the universe is like in your favor, even if it doesn't look like that sometimes.

Anakim: 27:44

And to add on to that too, your timeline might not happen on human beings we always want things now. I want it now. I want to do this now. I want to go But it always happens in divine timing and divine timing is never late. So

Nik: 28:01

Preach, brother. That's what's up. Now, I'm curious about, like, one, let me just say, I am such a fan. I'm such a fan of your music. Like every time you're putting out tracks, I'm like, this is shit I'm actually bumping and listening to. And I fuck with, and I just am such a fan of the art of the music. Were you always doing techno? Like, did you just have a clear vision for the project in the lane of music? I mean, yeah, you said you were starting off DJing for Jeremy Olander and like, you were just always in that lane. When did that really click for you? Cause I think a lot of artists are trying to figure out like, what is the lane that I want to go for? Like, there's a lot of experimentation sometimes in the beginning, but like, you kind of just had a clear vision. What made it so clear for you that that was the lane you wanted to go down? Yeah,

Anakim: 28:51

it was a very, very, very specific moment that Oh, this is the lane that I want to go I don't even know what this music is called. But I know that I really like it, So, I was at this music festival in actually first quarter of 2015 when I was at Icon. And I'm sitting next to the stage and I hear this like really cool sort of intergalactic sounding style of dance music that I had never heard before. And the DJ who was playing was this, uh, this DJ named Tara Brooks. And I remember I was just there, I was just it so intently and my friend Travis tapped me on the shoulder and he was like, in tune we call him Travis is Zen he's looked at me like He and he was I feel like you're having an epiphany right now. And I was like, yo, I think I was like, I don't know what this style of music is called, but I was like, I feel like I'm meant to, to pursue this. I don't know how to make it, but I'm going to dedicate my whole entire time at icon to figuring this style of music out. I'm going to come out with a mixed series called deep space. Um, I've been toying around with this. Project name called Anakin, and that ties into like being giants and the giants that are from, from planet Nibiru, the Anunnaki, and I'd like, I just felt like this download basically. Right. And he, he just looked at like, Whoa. And I literally thought up of my entire artist project sort of in that moment. Right. Or at least like the foundations of it. So the style of music that I was listening to was progressive house. I don't make progressive house anymore, but I did start that off, uh, in my career. I was a progressive artist and like, I really just focused on on that lane. And. You know, as time moved on, I sort of started making, especially now, making a much harder style of like progressive and melodic I always knew that this style of music will become big at a certain point. I love it. I'm going to follow this. If it doesn't cool, I'm still going to follow it. But like, here we are, it's starting to gain traction all across the world. Um, so yeah, it was that very, very specific moment. And I'm so lucky that it happened to me first quarter of Icon 2, because It could have happened like way later right? And I could have been making, you know, big room or something like that. And then like, Oh my God, what is this? And then have to Right? So again like divine timing, boom here's the style of music You're going to

Nik: 31:30

Yeah. And like, that's so rad. That's such a cool story of just like a download from the universe. This lightning bolt hit you. It was very similar to me, you know, a year and a half ago, I've kind of been coaching all different types of people. And there was a while where I was going to quit. I didn't really know in a breathwork session that I had here out in Austin, there was just this intuitive download, literally a lightning bolt. I was just like, yo, I'm Coach artists, these are your people, this is your lane, and it's like since then it's been so fucking clear, and it's beautiful when that happens. And I think also, you know, there is an element of, I don't know. Yeah, just being kind of tapped into that intuitive side of yourself that like you have to be a bit tapped in like you have to like not be super hooked on all the external noise of like, what should I do? What's everybody else doing? Like what? Everyone has a fucking opinion. But like, when you feel that thing in your heart, that inner compass, that's like, No, this is the direction to go, then follow that and trust that, and also, though, I do want to say that there's also, you know, That for me, that did happen five years after coaching and coaching a lot of different people in a lot of different spaces, you know, there is also is, you know, probably the more normal journey is for people to fuck around with a lot of different genres things out and until you find that thing, like, that's a bit probably where I think a lot, you know, it's okay to be in that process, like, how many artists do we know? that are making a certain genre now? That like, they had two or three other projects that were making something completely fucking different, you know? I remember, Sullivan King was making fucking Big Room House when he came to Icon, you know? And now he's making metal dubstep and playing guitar on it like, you know, you gotta start somewhere. So, it's cool that you had that download. And if you don't have the download, it's all good. Keep fucking around and see clicks, see what feels good.

Anakim: 33:11

exactly Exactly

Nik: 33:13

Yeah. Yeah. So a lot has happened since then. I love that you also had that internal knowing of, I really like this music. This music lights me up. There's something special about it. I also know and trust that it's going somewhere You know, I oftentimes I use eric prids as an example i'm like this guy apparently he was One of the like founding members with swedish house. Mafia is is is the the urban legend But you know, he split off because he's like, I want to make eight minute long songs that play the same fucking four bars over and over again, you know, and like at that time, that was not what was cool, but he had a vision and trusted that like, I know that I like this stuff and that eventually there's going to be a space for it. Now, um, a lot has happened since then. You're now out there touring, doing really cool shit. I just watched your whole. YouTube video series where you've got like, what, like 20 minute, 30 minute long, really cool, long form content, tour videos, lifestyle videos. One, it's just so cool to see. It's super entertaining. I love watching them. Uh, this is something I've been hearing. A lot of people talk about is this shift to long form content, right? We are living in this kind of a D D society. Now, this generation of 32nd tick tock clips and minute reels at the most. So we're lucky to have anybody's attention for more than. Um, and I'm hearing, yeah, I'm just seeing a lot of people online talking about, you know, kind of a shift towards long form content. What inspired you to start creating those videos? Because I just don't see a lot of artists doing that.

Anakim: 34:55

my interesting. So manager, Michael, I think is a visionary. The pleasure of working with a few really good but compares and Michael one day was like, you know, Here's what I think you need to do. And I was like, okay, I'm all ears. I'm a very open person. I'm never, I never shut down an idea, right? Michael was like, I think we should focus on YouTube. You're playing shows and you're touring enough that we can really capture what it's like behind the scenes as an upcoming artist. And he was like, and the thing that separates you right now is the fact that you do have camera experience. You have been on sets, right? He's like every single time I speak to you. I just see this really vibrant personality that I feel like we need to capture on video because an post here or there is just not doing it justice, He was do you think? You know, I was like I'm yeah, I'm totally with that. Why not? Right? Like, why, why not tap into to my on camera experience? Cause I'm, I'm very, there's a lot of people who are not comfortable having a camera in their face, but like, I don't even notice it. For the most part, right? So uh so yeah so he was basically like if we don't tap into this YouTube thing I feel like we're leaving a lot on the table. We got to just tap it. Right? It just so happened we had been filming, like, where once we started this idea, that's when some, like, really big shows came along. And then my tour in Turkey came literally, like, yeah, I think a month after we had even conceptualized the idea. So again, of attraction, law of manifestation, tapping into something universe is like, Oh, cool. You want to do this? Here you go. But yeah, whole idea behind it is I just want to show people my journey from the that I'm at now to Right Like not going to lie. Okay. How big do we want to make this project as big as possible? But I want to show people exactly what it took to get there. And hopefully if they watch this, they can say to themselves, man, if he could do it, I can do it too. I hope I can inspire people to have the confidence within themselves to pursue this thing, right? Because literally if I can do it, I knew nobody when I first started knew absolutely nobody in the music industry. But if I can even get to the point where I'm at now, anybody listening to this, anybody watching this. Should know that they can do it too. And hopefully this vlog series can show them that as well.

Nik: 37:39

Yeah. I love that. And hopefully this podcast can inspire them and show them that as well. And I want to dig into some of the tips that you have for, for artists that are on the come up. Uh, before we get into that though. find this really interesting distinction with what you shared, where the actual decision was coming from to start long form content. You know, I've been hearing people on social media talking about like, Oh, this is long form content is the future or whatever the more of the kind of business strategy reason might be. But this is why I think your manager actually really is a genius and very smart where it's actually more coming from. What are your strengths? Right. You have, on camera experience. How can we use that and play into that? Because yeah, long form content isn't going to make sense for someone who's super introverted and isn't good at talking to a camera. And you know what I mean? So I liked that that was actually where it was leading from. And there's a really great lesson in there for everyone to think about. Like, well, what are my strengths? You know, I, I, I remember talking to Rinson on the podcast before, and he comes from a blogging background. He's like, I love writing. I love writing. I write long form. I've written like thousands of long form articles. And so he incorporates writing into his project. He writes these really long, elegant, pieces of copy and like stories that come out with everything. I was like, cool, lean into that strength. Right. So I think that's a really cool thing. Seed to plant and to think about it. Like what are some of your natural gifts some of your natural strengths, and how can you bring those into your marketing and your strategy

Anakim: 39:20

I right

Nik: 39:23

Yeah, also I'm gonna I'm gonna say I wanted to say this earlier, but I'm not surprised that you started actually in modeling because you are a sexy motherfucker If anyone's not watching this on YouTube go on YouTube and to see how handsome this man is And I'm just gonna put that out there you should you still got to do a Man,

Anakim: 39:43

appreciate that Thank you

Nik: 39:45

those good looks baby. Let him see let him see what's up? But you know as you are You Walking forward on this mission of inspiring people through the long form content through your YouTube channel, which is so cool. Everyone go watch it. I really, it's super entertaining. It's so fun to see. And so fun to watch. Um what do you think it really takes? Like what straightforward advice would you give to somebody that is starting their journey or in the middle of their journey, you know, what does it really take to actually. Succeed as an artist

Anakim: 40:24

everybody thinks that good music as an artist. of view But in my point having good music, having really killer music is like a high school diploma, right? That's level of entry. So is it that you need to go farther? And the thing that I always tell people is, and we touched base on this already, I think you have to cultivate mental resiliency, and you have to just have self crazy belief. Within yourself. mix this, the almost delusional self belief, right? Mix that with, an undying work ethic and you will get places, right? You really have to, there's, there's a lot of things that can come up in an artist's journey. lot of you know, a lot, a lot of no's. You have to be okay with getting rejected. So you have to persevere over all of this stuff, but that with how mentally resilient are Like to keep going forward? Right? to take rejection? Are you able to hear from your music sucks, but you have the capacity within To keep the train moving forward, right? I think that's one of my, my strengths in life is that, at the end of the day, like, I just really don't give a fuck if I know that my music is not for either you've got bad vibes, I don't want you at my show I know that my music, my artistry will reach the right people. You will also reach the wrong people and they will try to say stuff to you, but they're not for you. So just keep it going. Keep working towards Never stop believing in yourself and always remember that, that this sounds so cliche, but hard work does Trump. Talent, right? What is talent? Talent is something that you actually have to work hard at. So just keep it going.

Nik: 42:25

Yeah. Wow. Beautifully said, beautifully said, I also like that you bring up this idea of being delusional. Because this has been a theme from a lot of conversations that I've been having. It's been brought up podcast multiple times. It's like that, Relentless self belief, but to the point of bit delusional, of being like a little bit fucking crazy, and you have to be

Anakim: 42:51

mm hmm

Nik: 42:52

Normal people don't do this shit. This is what like 1 percent less than 1 percent of people are doing it. So you can't be normal. You can't think normally. You can't see yourself in the same way. Like you have to be different. to, Which means like you gotta be crazy. We kind of look at people as look at this idea of being crazy as like a bad thing, but like, no, you need to be. delusional. You need to have a different illusion of reality that you see and that you believe in that other people don't. The other 99. 9 percent of people that are going to just accept the template that they've been fed, you got to break out of that matrix and say, no, I know that this is possible, right? This is a very common thread that I'm seeing between a lot of, you know, the artists that are, out there doing it.

Anakim: 43:39

to touch base Exactly So on that you have to in order for to actually not be delusional I mean it still is at the same time in order for you to To have this delusional self belief, but to make it actually a thing, you have to pair that with a just as intense work ethic, right? Because if you have the self belief, but you don't have the work ethic behind you, then it really is just delusion. But if you're working just as hard as you believe in yourself, that's when it starts speaking to the universe. And that's when really good things start to happen. And again, it might not happen on on your timeline. The listener might not happen on your timeline, but it will always happen in divine timing. And if you just keep going, You will see that really, really good things happen in your life because a I just feel like I'm a, I'm walking product of that, right? I've always, always believed didn't have the tools, even if I didn't have the talent, I said to myself, you know what? I'm going to, I'm going to dedicate my life to this. I'm going to work really hard. You will never outwork me. And then I'm just going to, I'm going to figure it out on the way I'm going to make it happen. But I know that if I continue this, I know if I keep working hard at it, I will make it. So, yeah

Nik: 45:05

yeah, yeah, I think there's another big important piece, which, you know, not everybody has, but it doesn't hurt. If you also can be around other people that are doing it, like if you see other people that are living the reality that you want, then it becomes much more normalized, right? If you never see anybody doing it, then it's always gonna seem like it's this sort of far fetched dream. And I think, you know, perhaps everybody starts there. It's like, it's just kind of you by yourself in your bedroom, and you don't know anyone that is like a full time, artist yet. But it's something I would say to manifest, you know, or at the very least, you got to be around other people that have that same level of belief and same level of work ethic. Because then, you know, When they do start succeeding, you start to believe it a little bit more like, Oh, wait, like they just got signed to a record label. I could probably get signed to one too. And like, Oh, they just got started touring. Like, okay, cool. You know, when you hang around successful people, you're going to become more successful, right? Like if you want to be a millionaire, you got to hang around with millionaires because then it normalizes it. That that actually is a possibility and that is a reality, so it's like getting into surrounding yourself with the right people getting into the right circles, I think that makes a difference as well.

Anakim: 46:24

yeah. That's there's a really big lesson in that too. So, I'm sure everybody has heard the are like, the 5 closest people you out with. Right? So full of ambition and you're full of work ethic and you're full of belief in yourself, if you're hanging out with people who. Lack ambition who just whatever. And they also, you know, doubt you and talk down to you and whatnot. The chances of you fulfilling your potential diminish exponentially. So you do need to find a group that has the You know, the same as the same aspirations or are doing the things that also want be doing, too, because that will sort of align you with that purpose, and it will help motivate and drive you towards the goal that you have in mind. What

Nik: 47:15

this is something that I teach in my group coaching program and something I learned from another coach is the saying that you gotta separate to elevate, right? You gotta separate from, from the stuff. Yeah, you got to separate yourself from the habits and the vices or, and the things that don't serve you, but also really the relationships. And the hardest thing is like, that might actually be your own family. That might be the, you know, your family doesn't believe in you. Like, all right, you got to create some space. You got to create some distance. You know, you got to create some distance from those friends that don't have that same level of ambition. And yeah, they just want to chill and party. And, big one I see too is. A lot of times you got to make the decision of do you want to be in the crowd or do you want to be on the stage, right? A lot of us come in, myself included, I came in as a raver, I was going out, we were fucking partying, we were getting crazy, you know, and but then I was like, wait a minute, I remember a day I remember seeing on stage, like just even the the stage hands, the stage manager, like, I'm like, Who are those guys up there? I want to I want to be up there. I didn't have the vision of like, I necessarily want to be the DJ. But I was like, Oh, I want to be the guy. That's like, you know, whatever he's doing back there. I want to get back there. And so I realized I'm like, Oh, damn, I actually have to leave these friends behind. Unfortunately, you know, because they were party friends. They were they were caught up in that scene. And I love them. And that was a Beautiful chapter. I even just made a post about it or the other day on my Instagram or just like how fun it was to start there. But there was a decision that I had to make, and this is something I often call clients out on, or I'll call just, you know, people out. I'm like, yo. How much time are you still spending in the crowd? Not to say to don't go out and have fun, but it's like, also, yo, you just, dropped two grand to go to this festival and get fucked up for three days. It's like, that's two grand that you could have put into your business and that's three days or maybe more of a week because now you're also recovering for a week. You just lost a week. Like how, how serious are you? How fucking serious are you really want to be up there then act like it, you know what I mean? And those are just the sacrifices that we got to make and and again, i'm like still go have fun You know what? I mean? I'm not demonizing, you know partying at all Like I think it's great You also got to have those trips and go to those festivals sometimes where it's you're just there to have fun But you know, I do see people i'm like bro You were just at festival like two weeks ago and you're at another one And you're saying you're about this like what you really doing? You

Anakim: 49:35

Yeah So over the pandemic, um, the pandemic was major silver lining for me. Prior to I to all of this artist stuff. that person in the crowd. I was the person partying. I was raving. Right. Right. And then as the artist project started to get. Bigger and bigger. And I could see the potential of where things could go. I realized that, you know, going weekend in like supporting this friend and that friend and this party friend, Oh, this person has a small DJ gig here and whatnot. I realized that that was actually starting to get in the way of I was pursuing. Right. But the pandemic what the pandemic showed me is that I was drinking too much What and that was really. was getting in the way of things So in the middle of 2020, actually, July 17th, I just decided to quit drinking cold turkey completely. And I haven't had a sip of alcohol since then So it's going to be 4 years next month. that's 1 of the greatest decisions that I've ever made mental clarity. On point, feeling down, always have energy. But on top of that, instead of drinking, what replaced of that stuff is going to the gym and working out. And I can't, I stress this enough. And you know this you're one of the strongest dudes that I know in my entire life. The ethic that you cultivate. in a gym, the dedication that you put, you don't have to be a bodybuilder, right? But the dedication, the work ethic, the grit, the determination that you build inside of the gym, all of that bleeds into every other aspect of your life. And that has all bled To what I put into the project, right? So alcohol, picking up working out gym, like, 4 to 5 times a week, cultivating all of those, those are talents to like, dedication, you should consider those as well. All of that bleeds into project now, and I feel least behind the scenes, exponentially even, you know, even what people can see is exponentially made a leap forward because I eliminated so much bad and replaced it with so much good.

Nik: 52:08

Yeah. Yeah, dude. Beautiful, beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. And yeah, I want to, I want to open up and be a little bit vulnerable and, and share this as well as someone who is at their four year mark. I had about four years of, and I'd taken some pretty big breaks before I'd had a couple of years off at a time, but I had, I had four years off from drinking. And then I got to the place where I was like, Oh, you know what? Like, I could have a beer with my burger, you know, tonight at dinner. And then I was like, Oh, you know, I, I could have a couple of truly's at the pool, and I slowly started to reintroduce it back into my life. But I very very quickly learned it was like it just it did not serve me, you know, it probably contributed to me Sabotaging the relationship that I was in like you had a few nights out You know where I'm just like fucking blacked out in the middle of downtown like what the fuck am I doing here, you know? And so just to say some words of encouragement to continue on that path, you know Sometimes we get to a point where like, oh I have this thing like Like, Oh, I'm, I'm good. Like I've, I'm, I'm good and I can celebrate a little bit. And at least from my perspective, it really didn't work, you know? So it's been about another, year and a half since I've, stopped again, so, um, just appreciate you sharing that, man. Encourage you to keep going. Like you're seeing it's working, bro. It's working. You know what I mean? And I, I've not met one person that was like, man, I stopped drinking and my life is just sucks more now. Like I'm Like I'm you know what I mean? Like everything has fallen apart since I stopped drinking. It's like not one fucking person says that. More and more artists that I talk to as well, dude, like, dude, I can't even count like how many that are like, yeah, when I made that decision to put the party behind is when shit started popping off. You know, I started getting more bookings, making better music, better relationships. So, again, not to demonize any of it, but like, if you know, you know, some people can handle it. I know some people are like, they're fucking good. I'm not one of them personally. I'm like, I'm gonna get fucked up. Like I'm gonna, I'm gonna get fucked up and probably fuck some shit up in my life. That's what's going to happen. So I just got to know where I'm at. But again, not, not, not, not to demonize it, but be honest with yourself. If you know, it's slowing you down. If you know, it's like what I call like the parking brake that you have that's, that's preventing you from accelerating at the level that you know, you could be like, just try it out. Give yourself six months. See, see what happens. Like probably good shit's going to happen.

Anakim: 54:26

Exactly I uh, I just realized that I was a person that meth at all can't operate with alcohol and I like if I have zero to 60 It's one, it's going to way more than two Right? Um And so I so not to anybody who's listening to this, but be really honest with yourself, right? And then also, whatever it is you're pursuing in life, if you have this goal, you just have to ask yourself, and I gamify, of gamify everything in my life. And the game is, how bad do Well if alcohol is what's in your way, But you're not giving it up. I guess you don't want it bad enough. Right? And I had to actually say that to myself So I said how bad do you want it? And I said I'll do anything for it is what I said So that's how I was able to quit it. You know what I mean?

Nik: 55:20

Yeah, it's real shit. It's real shit. And then like, once you start to get it, you realize like, damn, that that's worth it. You know, it's like, maybe it's hard in the beginning, like, oh, I'm FOMO missing out on all the parties and all that stuff. But it's like, once you actually start getting the results, you're like, Oh, this is this is way better than a night out at a club. You know, I have one more thing I want to ask you about. You launched a record recently, right? So tell me about the record label and also how did you know, like, this was time? A lot of artists I think know at some point I want to start my own label. Like, how did you know that like, this was the time to do that for and your career?

Anakim: 56:00

So I think what it really is is that I operate my project much differently than people want to operate their projects was sort of a And understanding that came between me and my, my manager, I realized that one of the things that was slowing me most playing the label game. And I'm not deterring anybody sending your music out If you want to be on this label or you want to be on that label like go for it Right I have on really cool I have released on labels that I've really wanted to be on. of is, is that every single time I would send out a piece of music. Maybe I wouldn't hear back for two weeks, if I even heard back, right? So, that track was already, was, was just sort of in this waiting queue. And then, if I heard back and it was a no, I had the process. And huge chunks of were, that were stalling me and my project So, I decided to take that power back into my own hands. And that's when I realized, Oh, I've had this concept for a record label since I graduated from icon. It's what I wrote in my music business plan. It's called body. That's going to be my label. I'm going to start off releasing my tracks first, but then I'm going to move into other releasing people's tracks. And that's essentially exactly what I did. So, you know, for people who are listening, for people who are watching this, if you don't know me, I've been pretty independent my career. And so starting my own label and staying sort of independent was just a really natural progression for me. Right? And so. Now able to release a track every month, on cue, as long as I have the catalog, which I do it's brought this new joy back into my life of releasing music. As long as I get footage of me playing the track at a show, then there's the content to market as well, right? And then, you know, we work with, with a really, really promo service to get the music in artist's hands, like the right artist's hands, artists that I may a relationship with. So, so we just had all of the pieces and it's just fun taking back that control.

Nik: 58:28

I love. That you say that it's fun. I love seeing you light up when you say it brought the joy back. If y'all aren't watching on YouTube, you could just see how he just lit up. He smiled. And I think that's such a common challenge for so many artists is yeah, it's playing the label game. And then you're spending a month or two or three, just trying to get this track signed. And then they sign it and then they don't even put it out for another three months or something. And it's like, yo. track is six months old now, and by the time it comes out, you're like, I don't even like this fucking song anymore, you know, like it's, it's definitely a common, a common challenge. So cool to see you taking that ownership back and just doing it yourself, man. I'm excited to see this, this label take off and, and see the, the vision for it come to life. It's been marinating since, the end of icon, as you said. So it's time to get out there and, and really, um, yeah, have it flap its wings, dude. That's exciting.

Anakim: 59:24

Thank you Thank you Yeah so to also let people know like the reason why we we started the label is we can do a better job doing it ourselves, right? I want to let everybody know watching that if you have any doubts about starting your own label and Actually, being in charge of the distribution and the marketing of your own I promise you you most likely will be able to do it better than a lot of these labels that you think you want to be on. Like, you are enough. You are all you need to succeed.

Nik: 1:00:04

Yeah, yeah. And it's like it's when it's your thing, you're going to put a lot more time and energy and passion and heart into it than when you're like, Oh, I'm one. You're one of 20 artists that this label is putting out this month like how much Time and attention. Are you really gonna get from them too? So I love it, bro. I love it, man you are navigating the journey so well, and I'm so excited to see where you go from here. I Want to come out to Vegas because I realized after EDC how many homies and friends live out there? so I'm, I'm, I'm going to come see you in person. We're going to hang out. We're going to fucking bro down, but I really appreciate you taking the time to come on today. Super cool to just see what you have created and just the amazing music that you're making, the label that's getting off the ground and the amazing fucking YouTube series. I love it. So everyone go watch the YouTube series. Go follow the journey of Anna Kim. He is out here crushing it. I love you, brother. I appreciate you. Thank you for coming on today.

Anakim: 1:01:06

for having love you Nick Thank you so much me. It was an absolute everybody listening or watching. Thank you so much. If you want to connect with me, the best way to do it is Instagram. My handle is just at Anna Kim. I literally replied to every single message. You have any questions? Feel free to hit me up. You're not bothering me at all. I promise you.

Nik: 1:01:27

Hell yeah. Hit em up!