Meet Cameron Radke | Educator, Musician, Game Designer

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

Hi Cameron, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Everything you do (and don’t do) is a risk. Art and science cannot exist without someone having taken a risk. Risk is the presence of the unknown, the uncertainty of success or failure, and determined by the value you place on the end result. It’s important to acknowledge there are risks that have trivial consequences that effect the ego like someone saying “no” to you or your idea, and there are non-trivial consequences like putting your savings into a new project. In both cases, how you view risk is determined by how confident you are in your ability to achieve the goal.

The way I live my life and the way I play my music both include risk, as both are based in improvisation. Improvisation is intentional, not random. I gather knowledge and skills beforehand so when the moment comes I can be present and free. There’s confidence in the preparation and structure (chords, rhythms, melodies, and even a setlist), but there’s also incredible space to create something new in the moment and take things in an unexpected direction. Not only is it more fun for me, but it’s fun for others. People who come to see my band come to see us take a risk. If we were to play the same songs note for note, night after night, with no potential for a surprise epic moment or a new experience, what’s the point?

Lastly, remember that taking risks feels hard. If it was easy everyone would do it. This is your opportunity. Sometimes it’s riskier to NOT try, as life will pass you by.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Everything worth doing takes time. It takes years of constant commitment and intention to learn an instrument, to start a band, to make a video game, to develop a career —some of these have been over a decade in the making for me. I see a lot of people struggle to maintain the dedication and persistence through “the dip” when the initial excitement wears off after a few months and the realization sets in that it’s much harder and complex than originally thought. Be patient with yourself. A few years ago I had an idea to make a music-learning video game and found a developer to program it. Every single day I sat down for hours to write out ideas and research, and the vision slowly clarified. To help communicate my ideas, I recorded and prepared audio samples in Logic, edited images in Photoshop and video in Final Cut Pro. The project also required skills like web design, idea creation, team collaboration, and project management. I learned a lot on the fly but coming into it with these skills allowed the project to move forward and have a chance to succeed. Be eager to learn, always, so you’re prepared for any opportunities that comes your way in the future.

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.
Balboa Park is a gem, and less than an hour east is some great hiking up Sunrise Highway. There is great food everywhere in this city, but if they’re from out of town, it’s in their best interest to eat Mexican food every day. We’d spend a day in OB and catch a show at Winstons, hopefully a night when Shakedown String Band is playing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to raising me with strong values and they always supported music and sports as a kid. This opened opportunities to connect with friends, communities, and teachers who all shape who I am today and fill my life with purpose.

Website: CamRadke.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-radke-3aab64235/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxTNGEUjmyjkml5PSSnAviQ

Other: https://shakedownstringband.org/ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/camradke/melody-quest

Image Credits
Brady Cooling