Meet Will Christian | Musician & Local Barista

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

Hi Will, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
We both (Liz & Will) held a fascination for visual art and music throughout our lives for as long as we can remember. This became more pursued through our teen years, and when our paths crossed we learned we had a lot in common when it came to our love for music. We kept our own outlets of creativity for a while, just sharing the space we did them in – Liz pursued a creative job in a media field (and still does) and I (Will) began preforming music as a career. While Liz was in school taking cello, she started to join me for wedding gigs and we fell in love with the idea of getting to preform together more often. We knew through experience that we felt the most ourselves while getting to create for a living. We were aware it was potentially a more irregular source of income, and might present a unique set of challenges – but it was something we both knew we were willing to compromise for. We never regret pursuing a creative career, it has brought us so much freedom, and contentment and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We often forget that this career path is unique in itself. When its brought to our attention the hard work it takes to get here, and that not everyone takes this path, I think it makes us feel proud that we prioritized this lifestyle. As of today, our music career still mostly happens on the weekends, and doesn’t fully pay the bills. We are young parents, both working part time jobs pursuing our other creative outlets. Liz continues to work in media, doing photography and helping brands with design and online presence. I (Will) work in coffee & tea during the week, it’s a hobby that I don’t think will fade. All these things combined are what make this career work. We still hold multiple passions outside of our music, but each of them correspond to support the work we do as a duo. One thing about our lifestyle we like to make people aware of is that we are not always reaching for something else ahead. We are not “starving artists” who haven’t made it yet. We like how we are living right now, we like the balance, and we know as life moves along we will always be adjusting, changing, growing, and doing what feels best for us. Songs For Lila is a dream we are living right now. We never fully knew that it could be a reality – and we are soaking up every minute, while also looking forward to where it takes us. Hopefully it can inspire others to pursue their own passions.

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?
Liz here taking over for the favorite local eats and activities of Galveston, Island!

Here’s how the day is going down:
– Freckleberry Teahouse on Market St. for a cream cheese croissant, Mango Matcha, and a Brown Sugar Milk Tea Boba with an added shot of espresso! They have a perfect patio or indoor work space – 10/10!

– Pop over to East Beach for a walk through Beach Town, stopping at The Porch Cafe for Lunch on our way out for some Chicken and Waffles & Biscuits and Gravy! A perfect brunch with a beach town view.

– Next Up: Rolled Ice Cream at the Cordray Drug Store (3827 Ave L) for the best ice cream on the island – another beautiful patio! You have to try the Root beer float and snap a pic at the photo booth.

– Obviously time for a quick thrift stop at RCC and Goodwill – second hand treasures are the way to our hearts.

– As the sun goes down, head over to Magic Carpet Mini Golf, and you better choose the Jungle Side for 18 holes and snow cones!

– Across the Street from Mini Golf is the perfect pier for beach photos and a sunset view.

– Dinner Downtown at Garden Thai – again perfect patio situation, (we like patio’s, okay?)

– Top the night off with Cocktails at The Tremont. If you’re lucky, you can catch some live Jazz in the lobby – perfect end to a night on the island.

Other Recommendations:
– Weekend Patio Music at Mod Coffee House (Coffee, too!)
– Karaoke at Sound Bar
– La Kings Confectionary
– Brewchachos (queso!)
– Mac-ies Burger (our all time favorite burger & fries)
– DTO for a drink and another great patio (be on the lookout for pop up food vendors here!)
– Red light Coffee for the Hive Five Iced Latte, Basil Hibiscus Iced Tea & Sidewalk Swinging Chairs
– Galveston Prime Time Movie Theater
– Hang your Hammock under Pleasure Pier
– Patio at Murdochs
– Galveston island Brewing
– Lil’ Buffalo Grille in Evia
– Lo Lo Kai Smoothie Bowls

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 have to start by giving credit to a few inspirations: the first being my dear friend, Joseph Neville. Joseph is a full time musician in Fort Worth, TX – he was the first person I met who was making a living as a local artist. He was playing the restaurant gigs, as well as writing his own music and releasing it, which made life as a full time musician seem achievable if you are willing to put in the work. I give him credit for motivating me to take the leap, as well as learning a lot from him in this field. Secondly, we are very inspired by duo’s who collaborate as well as work in their own space. Liz and I still maintain solo work in the creative field – but love creating and preforming as a duo. We are very inspired by the work of The Civil Wars, Wendlow, and our most recent inspiration, the duo band, Repeat Repeat. Jared and Kristyn (repeat repeat) are a couple in Tennessee, producing their own tunes, as well as others in their own studio – and we find this to be a very encouraging example of how we can work together.

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

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

Image Credits
Disco Photo Shoot: @mar.mizunaka