The Value of a Musical Outlet and Ancient Sins

My number 1, it will always be integrity. You know, it will always be just people being on it. And if you can't be honest with anyone else, are you even being honest with yourself?

And that's 1 thing I I always ask myself and divulge into myself every single day. Alrighty folks. Welcome back to transacting value where we're encouraging dialogue from different perspectives to unite over shared values.

Our theme for what is now season 4 is intrinsic values. So what your character is doing when you look yourself in the mirror. If you're new to the podcast, welcome and if you're a continuing listener, welcome back.

Today, we're talking our January core values of determination, accountability, and self respect with lead singer and guitarist of Asian sins, my good buddy, Wes Grissom, With that being said and without further ado, folks on Porter, I'm your host, and this is transacting value.

Alright, Wes. What's up man? How are you doing? Good, brother. How are you today? Good. Good. For all of our listeners, just to give you a heads up.

Wes, was on this podcast in season 2, April, I think it was, 20 22. Yep. Yep. April 20 22. So we're we're creeping on a year, and a lot of things have changed, I think, for both of us, but this isn't a me show. It's a you show.

So Right. Or anybody that hasn't heard your initial interview in foray into the podcasting world, Let's just start with some relatability, man. Who are you? Where were you born? What do you do? And what's this news about ancient sins?

What's all that about? Yeah. Definitely, man. Yeah. For those who haven't heard before, so born in West Texas and raised from the little bitty infant up to 18 years in Northern Nevada. Went out there good things in the marine corps.

And after high school went on to support a family of 5 on a 10 dollar an hour budget. All kinds of stuff that led to where we are today, which is, you know, with continuing military service and, you know, making music.

And, you know, that's 1 thing people usually ask because the band they've never heard of before. So they're like, Is it, you know, you make your own music or you just do covers or whatnot? Like, no.

It's all fresh. It's all originals, you know. So, yeah, I've been doing that for, actually, like, what, 5 years now. It's been just over it's been 5 years since we hit 3 prongs for the first album. So, yeah, it's been exciting, man.

Man, what a rocky road? I bet that's been. Yeah. So this may be a little bit forward, and I don't know if you've been asked before, but I'm curious as willing as in-depth as you prefer to be now on the air.

Is it really all sex drugs in rock and roll? Absolutely not. It is what you make of it. You know, sex, find 1 person that you wanna be with the rest of your life.

End of story. Drugs. So if you wanna pop the magic dragon or you wanna chase the purple dragon as it were, have at it. That's on you, you know. But just know that the quality of your product, the rock and roll -- Mhmm.

-- is what's gonna matter them out. Mhmm. What a what a classy answer? You know, the thing that I think as far as our listeners are concerned are gonna be curious about is ancient sins I'm assuming isn't gospel.

So -- No. -- what type of music do you play? Where's where's some influences? The type of music is Hard Rock Alternative.

Little heavy speed metal thrown in. It's a mix of today's modern rock slash metal genre, so influences, Alta Bridge, 5 fingered at punch. Initially, it was just Alta Bridge, hammerfall, shine down, 7 dot nightwish, things like that.

But now let's turn more into 5 finger desk launch, Pierce Vail, Even bands now on discovering, like, Wage War, Motionless and White, been a a fan of theirs for a little while now.

Fire from the gods. It's all this modern rock sound just collaborated into a vocolaty eighties based band. Which is where I keep my vocal.

Wild, dude. What a crazy combination of sounds? And and I gotta say, I think they come together pretty well. I don't know how you initially picked up guitar or how long ago to get to the point you're at now.

But you're pretty good. I don't think that's even a fair qualification to say. You know what I mean? But like, you're pretty okay of a guitarist.

You know what I mean? Alright. You know, that's how I look at myself. Alright. Yeah. Not like what the 2 cellos guys can do to their bow strings is like what you do to do to Diorio guitar strings.

It's pretty ridiculous to hear you play some of your songs and So anybody that hasn't heard ancient sins on YouTube or heard of anchinsons, you you gotta check out some of the guitars.

It's it's wild the chords that you put together. I don't even know enough about guitars to make it sound cool in how I'm explaining and describing it, but it is pretty wild men.

So but, yeah, if everybody else could check it out. Wes, as far as your concerned outside of your music, outside of your band, I think a lot of this is gonna be easier to couch on values.

And how you put your personal values into your music if first we actually talk about your personal values. So This is a segment of the show. It's called developing character.

No. Developing character. Ready to play? Yeah. Hundred percent. Alright, brother. Here's how it works. 3 questions, as in-depth and as vulnerable as you wanna get totally fair game, and they're all from your perspective anyways.

First question, When you were growing up as a teenager, what were some of your values? Honestly, I don't think I had any. And as bad as that sound, it was the environment in which I was around.

What do you mean? My dad was usually gone for the military, the majority of my childhood before him. My mom actually split up, right, before they actually call it quit.

My siblings, 2 of the 3, were in and out of the house, the majority of the time. 1 was always gone off doing whatever with his family at whoever he was with at the time and whatnot.

So all I had was myself and my grandma until she passed away. So she and I weren't too close, but I didn't really learn the value of anything until really until my best friend moved back from South Carolina.

So years ago, like, he and I, we met Napster School concert band and you know, he his family is military as well, and he was, like, yeah, we're leaving moving to South Carolina and I was, like, figuring out the last 1 that we're gonna see.

Mhmm. And the other crowd that I was hanging out with who was just not the greatest. You know? We legit went around, like, we're we're a little hooligan.

Well, I'll just say that. We absolutely were. And, you know, smoking cigarettes and whatnot as kids freaking, you know, what it was it was a bad time because then that's a bad time.

Yeah. And, you know, it wasn't until he moved back that I really saw what it would like to actually be someone that people look up to.

Because people look up to them, they still do. And and I'm, you know, I'm really, really happy and proud for them for that.

I think if it wasn't for him, then I myself wouldn't have kind of started the road to develop and mold into the person that I am now. Alright. Well, then let's talk about who you are now. What are some of your present values then?

Oh, a hundred percent present values. My number 1, it will always be integrity. You know, it will always be just people being on it. And if you can't be honest with anyone else, are you even being honest with yourself?

And that's 1 thing I I always ask myself and divulge into myself every single day is if you're if being honest, not only with everyone else but with myself because of the old rectifications, the consequences, everything that can come from it.

Second is dependability. You know, you say you're gonna be there for somebody. You say you're gonna do something. If you say you're gonna do it, And there's enough track record that you're not doing it.

Why are you doing it in the first place? Let's go back to number 1 being on it. Right? Just say no. You know, and that goes for not only like with us right here. Right? We're in this interview. It's like, oh, yeah.

I'll be there. Cool. But I'm not. But also, you can flip that and be like, in a relationship. Mhmm. So you told me there was nobody else or you had told me there was, you know, you were gonna do this, you're gonna do that.

How dependable are you really being in which also goes back to the integrity of saying, you know, like, nothing else happening.

Nothing else is going on. Right? It all goes hand in hand. And I think 1 that also goes and kinda wraps those 2 together is, you know, your judgment and knowing how your decisions are gonna have a platter effect or a yeah.

Just an effect in general on those around you. Definitely. And that that level of accountability goes a long way, but holding yourself to that level of accountability, not just relying on other people to do it.

I mean, more specifically, goes a long way. Yeah. For sure. Because people will hold your hand, let's say, as a kid, physically, metaphorically, whatever. Because you gotta learn the ropes how to socialize, how to be a human, whatever.

But as an adult, the reason I think anyways, the reason people don't hold your hand is because the level the expectation is we shouldn't need to. You've understood the basics by now. Yeah. I agree.

I think that counts for quite a bit. Now saying that though, as kids get older, in your case, as you've gotten older, how do you view with a little bit of foresight any of your values changing over the next, let's say, 20 years?

That depends. You know, if you've got a good routine, if you've got a good how would you put it?

Basically, if you have a good repertoire and everything that in which you the way you carry yourself, the way you do things day to day is upholding and a good example of what someone can say, look, this is something I want to emulate, then there's really not much reason for change.

The change would be there only if there's something internally that, you know, you're struggling, but and it just depends on what that is.

For example, for me, tobacco usage, It's a thing. It is a thing. Yeah. And, you know, that's, you know, obviously, something I've been working on for a long time.

So, yeah, something like that. But, you know, otherwise, it would just depend on exactly what it is internally that you feel you're struggling with and who you potentially could reach out to for help. Yeah.

Well, as far as support networks go, in your case, I'm sure music counts as an outlet just as much as a way for you to process on your own as it is for you to just de stress. Right? Yeah. So let's go that direction for a second then.

Hearing this level of accountability and I think in a certain capacity, what you could consider just having enough respect for yourself to face the integrity of your own dramas and work through stuff how do you use or how do you align some of your personal values with your music, your band, your lifestyle.

To take an active role in portraying them. The biggest 1 is my interaction with the people it shows.

Already folks sit tight and we'll be right back on transacting value. Did you know that children who do chores to earn their allowance have more respect for finance and more of a drive for financial independence?

Did you know that families who complete tasks together have stronger bonds? Did you know that Cognition sense of self and anxiety all improve if people have regular interactions with nature.

Imagine what instilling, self esteem, resilience, family, teamwork, and an authorized sense itself could do for the growth of each generation, no matter the temptation.

At Hoping Kroger Farm, That's just another Tuesday. Want to learn how to homestead or just more effectively develop your character for an unknown future? Follow our direct message on Instagram at hufing Clubger Farm.

Watch it happen in real time. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. A foolish man large from his own. If you're looking for high quality locally sourced groceries, The Keystone Farmers Market is the place to be.

Alongside our signature homemade boiled peanuts, we strive to offer only the best locally sourced pasta, baked goods, jams and jelly's, farm eggs and dairy products, meats, and even seafood, as well as a great selection of fresh produce.

As the Keystone Farmers Market, 12615, Tarpon Springs Road in Odessa, Florida, the place with the boiled peanuts.

How do you use or how do you align some of your personal values with your music? Your band, your lifestyle to take an active role in portraying them.

The biggest 1 is my interaction with the people it shows. And you know, for me, I print flyers for every gig and walk around and hand sign them and personalize them with everyone's name and a little note on it and whatnot, you know.

So it's a little token that they can take home and put up on the wall. From that show. You know, it includes the link for, like, social media and merch and and stuff like that, but the point of it is that little bit of interaction.

And to show those people who have never heard of you before, say and they're like, hey, this is the link in which someone's willing to go.

To ensure that you're having a good time, you know. So, yeah, that's part of it. I guess that's really the big part of it.

The rest is, you know, making sure that people enjoy the show asking them, you know, hey, did you enjoy the set for those that were there to see it prior to depending on where I'm at in the setlist and much of a crowd you get for the night?

Mhmm.

But, yeah, just making sure overall that, you know, people are enjoying themselves and letting them know, I guess, in a sense I don't know how if you would word it, but letting them know that that it's someone that's there to be there and not there just to play a few songs realistically, you know, the only band that's probably getting paid for this is, like, the band the headline.

Yeah. A lot of this are, you know, in debt to go to these gig, you know, out of our own pocket, still a little thank you goes a long way.

Goes both ways. Then yeah. From what you're saying. Right? Like, I'm sure nobody's yelling at you while you're on the stage saying, oh, thank you for being here. But let me ask you this.

I guess trending now over the last, let's just say, all in 5 years. What are some ways that people have Showing some gratitude for your time, for your effort, for your creativity. Couple of people have donated to the band over the year.

There was 1 guy which show was I think it was a quiet riot show. 1 of the guys that was affiliated with 1 of the other bands was like, yo, I don't have anything else on me or anything to, like, give you.

He's like, I wanna, like, buy you a drink or this on the other. And I'm like, I get that. Thank you, Mike. Still gotta drive 3 and a half hours up north to go back home after this.

Mhmm. But, you know, he's like, well, can I get your PayPal and donate to those and I was like, sure? And, you know, he PayPal is like 20 bucks. And I was like, right. And I was like, Well, that's awesome.

You know, that that means a lot. And it it's little things like people coming to a show you know, they come out and they see and they're like, you know, hey, we just subscribe, we just, you know, follow me on Facebook, whatever.

We don't live close by, but, you know, we're we're gonna keep an eye on whenever we're available to come back out and you're back in this area again to come and see you again, it's like that's awesome.

That to me is is a win. That's just those little things like that that have been, you know, as a present day.

In fact, you know, when it was just performing for the guys that I was stationed with overseas. Right? You know, 1 of the kids and I know if they're kids, but, yeah, it's, like, 21, 22.

I find a guitar pick for him because 1 of the songs that is in the list for the first record really hit home to him internally with a lot of things he dealt with in his life.

Mhmm. And, you know, I've signed a guitar pick for him, and he still hasn't in the little plastic in, like, a little sleeve, like, a little ID sleeve, you know, and he ended up hanging on his wall at home.

And I I thought that was really special.

That is. That is. I agree. A little bit of influence goes a long way, but the the recognition of that influence, I think it can carry a little bit farther. I mean, have you found in your music? Because you write your songs.

You said they're originals. Right? Yeah. Yeah. So have you found in your music throughout that creative process or as you're playing during a set or even just when you're done in in any time, temporal sense of this, creative process.

Have you found that there are days when it just doesn't click? Yeah. Oh, yeah. A hundred percent. There are days it doesn't click. And other than writer's block or things like that.

Yeah. There aren't days it doesn't click because it also helps to be a bit more literate you know, at times, it really does. Uh-huh. But it's more along the lines of finding the best way to convey your message.

And with some from the audience, you know, not every song is going to apply, but that's why we try and and make the general sense of each song doing it best to be able to relate to the audience.

And some of them do hit, you know, hit home.

Some of them are more for just that smaller portion. But, yeah, though, once they or in the process of that, of the lyrics not hitting just, you know, clicking and viving with the meaning behind the song in general. Yeah.

It definitely takes time. And it's usually it's very rare if it happens if the click happens right away. It is very rare. You know, I actually empathize with that in a totally different industry, but concerning podcasting specifically.

Actually, I don't know if you're aware, but since you've been on, that was about halfway through this, what was initially, I guess, a social experiment.

But transacting value just hit a year this past October, end of October, start of November.

And so it basically took just over a year to get any sort of traction or a flow in an interview or let alone any particular topical considerations to keep everything cohesive.

So a lot of the creativity you're talking about or just the integrity of the process even, I think, has to come with time. And so there's a certain undervalued level of patience that has to come with that creative output as well.

Is it the same for music? Absolutely. If your expectation is I'm gonna write a song from start to finish and it's gonna be the greatest thing ever.

Mhmm. Nope. It's not. It will not be. If your expectation is I'm gonna write a love ballad that's gonna be played at weddings and the set and the other?

Well, what is it that's going to make people want to hear that song at a special event such as that? You know? Already folks sit tight and we'll be right back on transacting value. Alrighty folks.

Here at transacting value, we write and produce all the material for our podcast in house. Game perspective alongside you, our listeners, and exchange vulnerability and dialogue with our contributors every Monday morning.

Or for distribution, both brought platform to use. You wanna know how popular you are in Europe or how Apple is a preferred platform to stream your interviews?

Most probably can do that. You wanna stream up multiple players through an RSS or custom feed or even have references and resources to take your podcast professionalism, authenticity, and presence to a wider audience?

Buzz Brock can do that too. Here's how. Start with some gear that you already have in a quiet space.

If you wanna upgrade, BuzzFeedBrough has tons of guides to help you find the right equipment at the right price. BuzzFeedBrough gets your show listed in every major podcast platform.

You'll get a great looking podcast website, audio players that you can drop into other websites, detailed analytics to see how people are listening. Tools to promote your episodes, and more.

Podcasting isn't hard when you have the right partners. The team of Buzz Broward is passionate about helping you succeed. Join over a hundred thousand podcasters already using BuzzCloud to get their message out to the world.

Plus, following the link in the show notes, let BuzzCloud know we sent you. Gets you a 20 dollar credit if you sign up for a paid plan and help support our show. You want more value for your values. Bus truck can do that too.

If your expectation is I'm gonna write a love salad that's gonna be played at weddings and the set and the other, well, what is it that's going to make people want to hear that song at a special event such as that, you know.

And it goes further and further and further down the rabbit hole with whatever direction that 1 little feeling is taking in.

So, yeah, they definitely take patience. And if you don't have it, it's not gonna happen. It's like the old adage, sister Christian wasn't written in a day. Hundred percent.

Yeah. So I agree, man, but that level of familiarity with yourself to be so comfortable or willing to be honorable and convey that to an audience or convey that just on paper and process it into something more effective later.

Let's call it self literacy, is difficult to hone? Is there anything that you recommend that maybe worked for you that might work for somebody else?

To start learning a bit intuitively? Yeah. 1, make friends with an English major. That's what I did. Okay. But more importantly, learn how to take your feelings and whatever it is and write out the entire feeling.

Right? And then research that or a small phrase out of that 1 line, 2 lines, whatever. And put it in Google and type meaning at the end.

And that way, it brings up the meaning of that and convinces it down to those smaller words, so then you can convey that in a shorter message or a shorter phrase by having the same message.

That's 1 thing that I learned how to do with those taking those thoughts and and feelings and just being able to find the right words that have the same meaning and convince things down the phrasing.

Yeah. Learning how to communicate your own language with yourself. Yeah. Yeah. I don't think I've ever thought of that before. Or even just googling my thoughts and emotions, that's a new 1 too.

But here, I like it. I like it a lot. Now for the sake of time, if there's, I guess, anything that's helped you along the way, maybe books, maybe songs, maybe websites, things that helped you grow into the you now in any and all senses.

What would you recommend? Well, obviously, the only book that kept me where I'm at today, not a lot of people read in that scripture.

Easy day. Mhmm. But also for that, when it comes to developing into a musician, it stays as music. That stays on that side. It stays on that side.

Mhmm. But for me, as a person, really, it's just knowing wrong from right. And it took so long to realize and comprehend it from logistics experiences and the things that I've been through and the things I've put people through.

It's definitely that 2 way street of realizing that what you were doing, a what you need to be doing, and vice versa. And it took a long time to realize it okay to just walk away and start over. And that's exactly what I did years ago.

So book, I mean, otherwise, if any, there was 1 that I was reading. I think it was from James Patterson, and it was called Crossing Path, I think. I'd have to look up the actual name. But it's 1 of his murder detective books.

And and it was really intuitive with the way that it described how the person really needed to walk away from everything that he was in because it just, you know, it wasn't what he thought it was.

Movies. I'm actually going about movies all day. And that just is mainly the 1 that would help define a person into becoming something better than than they were.

I think Suite 16. It was piano Reeves and and halfway. I'd have to to look it up. But that 1 ready player 1, I think, would be probably my number 1 pick though.

Right there. That was a good Because they what? I absolutely love that movie. There's a lot of movies like that where people learn through some sort of a challenge and overcome and grow.

So I'm sure there's plenty of other ones that we could talk about, but that's an entirely different conversation for an entirely different amount of time.

I'm sure. All that being said, man, I appreciate you making time and taking time out of your day to just sit on and talk for a little bit.

And this is a little bit different than the last time. Where, you know, how you take your values and actually put them into action. So I appreciate you being vulnerable and just willing to discuss that a little bit.

So thanks for coming up, man. Absolutely, man. It's a pleasure. Always a pleasure. Yep. No worries, man. And we'll figure out another time when you can come back. All that being said though, Oakes to everybody listening.

I appreciate you taking some time. To come in and listen to the interview, listen to the show specifically in this case, or the month of January as we're covering determination, accountability, and self respect.

And, Wes, I'd also sort of like to thank all of your faults and mistakes and all of the issues that happened in your life to whatever varying scales and scopes.

Because without them, for 1, selfishly, this conversation wouldn't have been anywhere near as inspirational as it was.

For 2, your music I don't think would carry the same gravity as it does. Without any of those things. And so for that level of inspiration, I, for 1, appreciate the fact that you've been able to interpret them in a positive direction.

So for that level of inspiration, thank you for that also. You're very welcome, man. And to all of our show partners, specifically Keystone Farmers Market, Foven Clubaker Farms and Buzz Sprout. Also, thank you for your distribution.

Now, folks, if you're interested in joining our conversation or you wanna discover our other interviews, check out transacting value podcast dot com and follow along on social media where we continue to stream new interviews every Monday at 9AM, Eastern Standard Time, on all your favorite podcasting platforms.

And like the last interview for anybody that wants to get in touch with Wes, check out ancient sins.

We'll have all those links in the show notes. Or Facebook and for your website and for YouTube. So that'll be there as well. But until next time, that was transacting value.