Meet Brad Basker | Entrepreneur, Songwriter, Author and Researcher

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

Hi Brad, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?

I’m not sure of my favorite but I have a few that despite being out of context are special to me.

“C’est en faisant n’importe quoi qu’on devient n’importe qui.” – Rémi Gaillard

It translates to “It is in doing whatever, that we become whoever.” My French friends laugh at me for it, because Gaillard is a French humorist who would do these amazing public pranks, so it was odd to look at his key phrase as something profound. But it means a lot to me because it really is in the doing that we become.

“This is the way.” – The Mandalorian

I’m majorly into Star Wars, but this quote is so heavy to me. Mandalorians have this bond by creed and are so convinced of it, even righteously so. I believe in having and living by a way, a code; some compass to guide you.

“Get busy living or get busy dying.” Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman)

That’s basically what I tell myself to get my ass out of bed when I feel like sleeping more. The day is not waiting for me and I ain’t dead, so I better get busy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

In the shortest form, I am a musician and author, turned entrepreneur, and researcher. Everything that I’ve been involved with, worked on, or created at length has roots in my belief as a storyteller and the values that storytelling – in its many forms – can provide to people.

As the founder of Griffin Collective, LLC, I help businesses digitally frame their story, products, and services through web & graphic design, content creation, marketing, and consulting. As a musician, I’ve composed songs well founded in musings on adventures, romantic dynamics, and self-reflection. My current available novels are a mix of memoirs and fiction dealing with subjects of self-discovery through travel and what I efficiently refer to as antiromantic novels examining the stories that happen middle ground of personal journeys. As a doctoral researcher, I build on a long history in mass communications, and international/intercultural studies to frame the story of digital literacy as it relates to the development of interculturally and societal ideas through using new media tools. It’s quite a bit to be involved in, but to me, they all represent stories and a diversity where I’ve worked to apply myself to add value to clients, students, listeners, readers, and more.

I always feel the need to be thankful to my parents for where I am today. I always had this need to create and would spend a lot of time as a child in my own world – writing stories, poetry, and drawing; switching tasks every other minute, always asking questions, and wanting to explore and test limits. They didn’t take that away from me and rather supported my oddities while providing context and love. There are so many people who’ve been influential in my journey, but I think that the foundation which was set with them kept me open and willing to embrace life. I think that coupled with faith in God and the belief that my talents and purpose were not some arbitrary happenings continually evolve to face new challenges. There must be an internal sense of conviction in the things we pursue in life, so when facing challenges, I only need be convinced enough to pursue it through any ambiguity to see what’s on the other side.

There are so many lessons in our lives, but perhaps one of the most important is that we should understand and remain willing new enlightenment. I think a posture of humility and gratitude allows us to do this because it removes any illusions of perfection, pride, or finality, no matter how much we achieve. Also, communication in all realms is a proactive and passive activity that requires continuous attention and allows us to set expectations. In business, friendship, romance, really anything I’ve learned that most complications can be avoided by communicating intentionally.

If there is anything that I want the world to know about me and my work, it is that my goal is to be of service and to add more value through working with all my heart than I take from others. It doesn’t have to even be a successful client project or a hit song. What about just that I was kind? That I take the time to listen or make them smile? I think those impacts are all the same, and it’s grounded in my faith and belief that we are here to serve. I’d hope that people can remember whatever that action was and that it simply inspires them to take some action of their own.

I’m excited this year to share several new projects with everyone. Musicwise, I’m writing all new songs and am signed with The Music UmbrellaInternational Consultancy. I recently released Q-Sessions – a 6 song acoustic EP that you can find on Apple Music, Spotify, and other platforms. Additionally, a new novella and poetry book is in the editing stages. With my research, we’re beginning to collect Those are just a few items on the forefront, but I am curious to see what we can create this year.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Oh that’s easy.

On any given day of the week, you can do what I call the Cafe Two-Step. Take some food at Cafe Brasil, then hop over Cafe Agora. Also, Agora, is ideal on any day of the week.

Monday night we will likely go to Avant Garden to watch some Jazz, and will likely follow up at the same spot on Tuesday for the Plug n Play Open Mic – hosted by Jay Bee Zay. You can also eat there with either Pizza Sisters HTX or El Palomo Taco Truck.

Wednesday, Check out the Flat for reggae music.

Anything with the Kirby Group is going to be a tour through craft, but Thursday’s Wooster’s Garden for a cigar and Cloud 9 can’t be beaten.

Friday’s have to be pasted at Reserve 101 in downtown Houston with a Bushmills, which eventually segues into dancing at Barbarellas for New Noise with Brandon Airlines.

After dinner at The Lymbar by Chef David Cordua on Saturday night, heading back to the Flat to see Dj Sun ad other guest Djs is the move.

Finally, Sundays at 13 Celcius for charcuterie and wines are forever sublime.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I think that there are so many touchpoints and influences in our lives that are integral roleplayers in our stories. My parents didn’t let anyone judge me for being eccentric at a young age and have continually supported me in my artistic, entrepreneurial, and academic endeavors. Rusty Cooley and Lawerence Wainright showed different appreciation for the guitar on deeper levels as instructors, which resonate in various ways in my music today. Jason Jimenez for inviting me into his space to learn about and grow in business. Literally, every educator, especially at a young age encouraged my writing, and those who supported my ideas in higher academia inspired and influenced me to continue to create and not be shy of asking questions. I’m thankful to God for all of these people and seemingly innumerable persons I’ve encountered in my journies and life who even at the smallest of moments made the largest of impact. Fundamentally, I belive that what I do in part is in not just enabled by them, but for them.

Website: bradbasker.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbasker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanBasker

Other: www.griffincollective.com www.themedikalgroup.com