Meet Heath Alan Farmer | Guitarist, Vocalist, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heath Alan Farmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heath Alan, how do you think about risk?
I feel like the very idea of becoming a musician is a risk unto itself. When you pick up an instrument for the first time, you are coming to terms with the fact that you are holding an object that you know virtually nothing about, but you know that it can be mastered because you’ve seen a select group of other people do it. So right away the idea sinks it: just because I may not know how to make this thing sound good yet, it doesn’t mean that I won’t be able to one day if I put in some hard work. But you have to visualize yourself at that destination in order to know how to take your first step.

So as someone who once had that internal conversation, I am much less afraid to take certain risks than when I was growing up. I still feel like I’m a long shot away from my heroes–Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and the likes. But hey, I’ve somehow found a way to make a living with my craft, and that proves to me that you can achieve anything if you stay at it.

And with that being said, I’m excited to announce my next creative risk: it’s my new project called Coastal Wolves, with the first single called “Hurts Like Hell,” just released on all streaming platforms!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a working guitarist, vocalist, producer, and musical artist, I guess I’d just like everyone to know that the most important quality I’ve been able to identify–and the one that I’ve noticed leads to the most success for those who embrace it–is the ability to adapt. If the waves start coming in, don’t fight ’em; ride ’em. Be open to change, and be self-aware enough to know what is working and what isn’t working, and to know which direction you need to go.

I feel like I make that calculation a lot in my field, and it’s how I’m able to go from playing rock guitar with jugglers and acrobats at the San Diego Zoo, to playing country licks at Moonshine Flats, to playing an artist’s own intimately written songs at the Belly Up. There are many different hats you need to wear in this field, and it’s important to find ways to approach every project in a way where you can rise to the occasion while still being authentic to yourself.

More than anything, that’s the struggle: to find ways to be yourself even when you are asked to show a different side of you. There’s a way to do it, but it takes a lot of observation and a willingness to represent the creative intentions of those you work with while still filtering things through your own lens.

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.
This would be my perfect weekend in the city: Friday afternoon, walk around Seaport Village. Later that evening, go to a Padres Game at Petco Park and then go bar-hopping in the Gaslamp after that. Spend Saturday morning jogging around Mission Bay, and then grab lunch at Plant Power in OB. Later that evening, go grab a Mai Tai at Bali Hai and then catch a concert at Humphrey’s by the Bay. Sunday morning breakfast at Cafe Gratitude, walk around Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, and top it off with some vegan sushi at The Yasai in Little Italy.

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?
First and foremost, I’d like to thank my wife Jessica for always being my biggest fan, for motivating me to take artistic risks, and for never being afraid to tell me what she really thinks.

I’d also like to give a shoutout to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance for harboring my creativity and being a repository for the arts for the city of San Diego; for letting me and my fellow musicians inspire thousands of people a year through our shows and productions, and for continuing to trust us with representing your institution and mission with the nuanced and imaginative approach we take to the stage every day.

And of course I’d like to thank my family and friends for always being supportive of my music and creativity time and time again.

Website: heathfarmerproductions.com

Instagram: @heath.alan.farmer

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farmerheath/

Image Credits
Photo credits: Chachie McDonald Photography (Images 1, 4, & 5), Anastasya Korol Photography (Images 2 & 6), Carlos Beltran (Image 3)