Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Thomas III.
Roger, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was originally born in California, but my family moved to Texas, and I have been in the Houston area for roughly ten years. I was home-schooled with my siblings and eventually received a full ride to college. I studied Communications at Prairie View A&M University where I first grew my desire for performance. I competed in multiple pageants and developed as a spoken word artist. After graduating from school and taking some downtime, I really wanted to push into performing music, and so I began to create from my knowledge of music and writing to share my story and create a community of support around the idea of love and understanding that we really aren’t alone. We share life’s journey and should look to be brothers and sisters with the combined goal of growth and understanding. From that, I began the “NVRWLKALN” movement, a brand centered on mental health awareness and general awareness of one’s self as a constantly growing and evolving being both unique and also unified with our fellow man.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create an experience. One that is ultimately meant to be a storybook of my life and my successes and failures that I hope others can grow from. I was raised in an environment that was very transparent. I knew where I came from; my parents taught me all they could about who I came from and how that might influence who I would become. I feel that I use my art, with a slightly coded twist, to do the same as a journey of self-discovery for others. They may find we are quite similar or learn something about themselves as they journey through me. In my music, my art, my performances, everything means something. Sunflowers, for example, I reference often. They mean something to me. A memory of sorts that I’m still growing from at this time.
I predominately make music; however, I spend a great deal of time simply writing from film and stage. I have limited visual representation of my craft at this time because if the vision isn’t framed correctly, I simply don’t want to put it out and damage the character of the source material, But film, music, and even physical art are all things that are developed under my umbrella in its own time.
With the “NVRWLKALN” movement, I hope people feel inspired to be themselves. To accept the full range of emotions that we experience as human beings and not snuff any of them out simply because society deems it weak, or embarrassing, or whatever. The response should be to identify and recognize these emotions, learn what the cause is, study the source, and then determine if that feeling is something you do or don’t want to have again.
I suppose that people should know my art is real to me. When I am on stage performing a song, I got back to the place I was when I felt those feelings. It’s perhaps, in nature, closer to theater than it is simply music for me. I am my own character, whether fiction or nonfiction, acting in a world that may or may not exist. From that, I present my emotion range and response. That’s the reason why I won’t perform certain songs after a time. It takes a great deal out of me emotionally to revisit those spaces. Songs about exes are extremely hard too. So when someone sees me crying on a stage, screaming at the top of my lungs, or this one time I was punching into a concrete floor as I performed, Its all real to me at that moment.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Artistry can definitely be a lonely path to walk. (Pun Intended) Its because we have to spend so much dedicated time cultivating this product to share. A 3 min song nine times out of 10 wasn’t made in 3 minutes. If your lucky, talented and focused, it may be one of 4 made in 3 months. And that is before studio time, marketing, presentation, stage production, re-edits, playlists, and the business side of music kicks into it.
So I’d say you need to go out and meet people over a common interest. One of the coolest fellow artists I have ever met to this day, we met at a Vince Staples concert. Standing in line talking about this artist we both admire, celebrating his works, debating his music. It was that concert and setting that brought us together.
Most people are closed off because they fear judgment. Judgment about the way they look, the way they talk, their thoughts and ideas. Their opinions. So when you meet someone new, come with an open mind. Ready to listen, digest, ask questions, relate. And as genuine conversation is engaged, so too is a genuine connection.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Coming out to live shows is the biggest way people can support right now. Of course, getting connected via social media really helps too. I have music available on Apple and Spotify but definitely come to a show. It will be different from any other artist you see today. And I think that is pretty special to share that with you.
My website, www.nvrwlkaln.com, holds a lot of my latest releases and video content. But I love meeting new people, hearing their stories and connecting with them. It’s beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nvrwlkaln.com
- Phone: 2817063168
- Email: wlkofphaim@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xwlkx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/xwlkx/about/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/xwlkx
Image Credit:
KSPTS Photography: http://kaleidoscopespots.com/
Fly Brownie Media: https://www.flybrownie.com/
Taylor Chimney Photography: https://www.taylorchimneyphotography.com/
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
