In every neighborhood, there is someone who makes the Arts a part of their life, and our community. You'd be surprised to discover how many different people use the arts to improve the quality of life in our hometown. EAT MORE ART! VEGAS will feature them regularly in our series "10 Bites."
What kinds of art do you enjoy, create, or perform in?
I perform music and comedy. Okay, music. Some of it is funny. Also, I occasionally traipse about on a stage, in a play. Those events are usually of the funny type as well. But my pigeonhole is musician, wherein I struggle against guitars, basses, banjos, drums, keyboards, and the odd mandolin.
Why do you do it?
I attempt music because it gives me that come-hither look, and I'm powerless against it. Crowds going yay are a satisfying reward, as is a dollar bill for every hundred notes I play. But mostly, music tricks me into a state of bliss mixed with anxiety, and it's an intoxicating blend.
What’s your favorite production/performance experience so far?
In 1984 I opened for Spinal Tap, in Seattle. 10,000 people liked my band a lot, and I also got to hang out with Jamie Lee Curtis.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist, or what do you do when you are "at work?"
I taught audio engineering at a technical college for 15 years. I worked in guitar stores when I was a youth. I'm a corporate sound guy, for earning an honest living. This completes the non-artistic portion of my resume, and it's not exactly Wall Street banker territory.
What is an Arts experience that you will never forget or a memorable response to your work?
A guy tried to kill me with my own guitar while I was playing it, onstage. I suffered a concussion, and the guitar was comprehensively destroyed. Also, I was in the cast of Naked Boys Singing, and performed naked, many times. Oh, the stories I have...
What would you be doing if you weren't performing, creating, or enjoying the Arts in Las Vegas?
Working as a corporate audio stooge, which I do on a regular basis. I might end up selling exotic cars if this musician thing doesn't work out.
Name something you love about Las Vegas, and why.
It is loud, shiny, and vacuous. It is the latter day iteration of Hellenistic Greece. And it never disappoints me by trying to be cosmopolitan, erudite, or progressive. It's an ideal hell-hole in which to craft artistic works, which go largely unnoticed and fuel more crafting.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Low expectations are the key to avoiding disappointment.
What superpower would you have and why?
Clairvoyance, for my own edification only. It would be unethical to alter people's behavior based on future outcomes.
Where can we follow you and contact for bookings?
erictraviswilson.com
Twitter: @ETravisW
Are you a local artist of any discipline? Do you work with a company as a designer, stagehand or administrative staff? Do you love to experience it as the audience? We'd love to get your 10 Bites to share. Fill out a form here, and you might be featured in a post!