Soula Parassidis, CEO of Living Opera

Hi, my name is Antito. This is CryptoKid Podcast. I'm going to be talking to you guys about blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. One. This is CryptoKid Podcast. So today I have a special guest, the CEO of Living Opera, Missoula. I appreciate you taking your time and coming on the show. And why don't you give the audience a brief introduction about yourself and how you guys started in

the web three space. So I've been here for two years ago. I was living life as a full-time opera singer. I'm still doing that. But the pandemic forced me at least, not all my colleagues, but forced me to think outside the box in terms of the future of my industry. I had already been creating content for Living Opera, which is just like content for emerging opera

singers, YouTube videos, Instagram and AntitoKid stuff like that. That might sound basic or just like a normal thing to do as an entertainer. But in my industry, I was one of the only ones doing it. So people were like, whoa, like what's she doing? Why are you doing that? But I just saw that as a way to like easily reach my colleagues and my peers and

my upcoming coming. Younger colleagues to in a way that I could just like inspire them and create a global community that was lacking in my space. When the pandemic hit, you know, jobs were canceled in the industry, no life performances, everybody's at home going like, okay, so what do we do now? And we had just built a platform on how to be an opera singer and

there's no work. So we were like, well, shoot, like how do we pivot this? Enter my CTO, CEO, best friend, technologist, Christos McCreedy's and he was like, do you know about blockchain? And I was like, no. And so I went on this like massive, like learning curve, learning about NFTs, technology, and just how we could possibly leverage web three to bring like a new economic revival

to the classical music sector. And as I learned more, I was like, okay, I'm not really sure how we fit into this. It seems like a little bit weird. And it's like in terms of music, NFTs. It just seems like that's more dominated by like other genres of music. And it wasn't until like the, we've got a winter, yeah, winter of 2021. I attended our Basel.

And then I attended NFT NYC. And I just felt like the energy. And I know it's a little bit different now than the market we're in right now. But I was like, there's something here that is so electric, so exciting. It reminds me of when I first started singing and performing and all that excitement electricity I felt around that haven't felt that for a long time.

I was like, okay, I'm going to grab that feeling and I'm going to figure out how I'm going to bring my community into this space. And so I'm answering questions like very long-winded. But that's podcast format, right? I'm supposed to talk right. Okay. I'm, I'm, I'm, logs are very short. I ended up a load on Christmas that year. Because a weird COVID stuff. Um, job cancellations,

other stuff like that. And I'm just like sitting there going, well, the stinks, I guess I'll just throw all my effort into work. So, I started learning more about generative art. And what is that? Because I was like a word I've been hearing all in art Basel and NFT NYC. And when I sort of just Googled what is generative art immediately that a Mozart popped up.

And I was like, wait, what? There's a connection to Mozart with this. Okay, I'm in. And so when I discovered that Mozart had actually created a generative music game in the 18th century. I was like, oh my god. I'm like, oh my gosh, this could be the basis for how we step into this space authentically and not just jumping on the bandwagon because it's cool. So

that's my, my long looping version of how I got here. Great. I appreciated. Yeah. And especially during what happened with COVID, people were more starting to work at home and trying to, throughout how to make money from, from their office or in the room, making the rooms in their office. And with Web 3, there's just so much to learn. And about there's always something evolving. And

it just gave an opportunity and just like people actually got curious about it. And at the time, I believe the market was up to. And better than now. Yeah. And, but hey, we got something to look forward to. I believe big points like up 35%. So it might be the bull run fingers crossed. So what is living opera from 3000 feet up give us the elevated

pitch. Well, it just depends who you ask on the team firstly. But for me, how I see it, this is sort of my baby. And for me, it's really about the people. We're a community first. And I know that's like a buzzword in Web 3. But firstly, I was already building that in 2019 before, you know, that became like the. What I don't know, but I

don't know what three if that was already a thing. But in my field, I was like, no, people around me need community. They need to be able to do that. And I need a place to fall back on. And I need a place to thrive. And so firstly, that's how I see living opera. It's really a movement that brings health and well being to my sector.

But I also think it's a place for people to come and learn about just different genres of music and different movements that they're not currently engaging with. So, you know, in my community, when I talk about NFTs and crypto, they're like. What are you doing that? And I'm just like, listen, there's something here. It's going to benefit us if we can just get past the discomfort

of the unknown. And when I'm talking to people in Web 3 and they're like, but opera, like why would we engage with that? And I go into how it's going to expand what they're doing as well because of the complexity of the art form. And. Well, actually, let me let me go. Let me go into this. It's not fully answering your question, but there's something about

live performance that is unamplified. And really, I think that's what I'm doing. And it really requires you to lean in and engage that I really like about what I do. And it's different than if you go to a concert where, you know, it's like a huge stadium. It's like when you're listening to classical music, it is super focused. And there isn't the possibility of thousands and

thousands of people. It's like you're there. You can actually see the people around you. And it's a much more community driven kind of music. And I really like that. And so for me as an artist and as an entrepreneur, that's the kernel of what I'm doing. And I'm trying to do with living opera. And what we have succeeded up until now in doing, but we just

want to expand it and invite more people in to get uncomfortable. I want crypto folks to come in and be uncomfortable in classical music. I want my opera community to come in and be uncomfortable learning about finance. It's like we could do something really amazing. And I know it's possible because of just the like microcosm of our team when Christos and I started working together. It's

like these are disparate like fields. Like how do I do that? How does an economist and an opera singer build something relevant? But we know from what we've already done in living opera with our NFT collections and with our community building and with our online classes and with our courses and what we're building now that we can actually really change lives. So long story short, it's

a movement that is going to bring delight and expansion into people's lives. Absolutely. And I'm going to do that. And it's amazing that you're wanting to diversify the space between opera classical music and crypto ponds or crypto nerds. And I'm a bit, I like Mozart and what is it? Oh, there was another one. I think this is bad. I forgot it. All right. Well, the other

one that that's second best of Mozart. You know what I'm talking about? Well, it just depends. Like for you, that could be something totally different. I think a lot of people, when they think about it, I think it's a lot of people. Mozart, I think about Beethoven. There you go. That's the one. Yeah. Yeah. And because Beethoven writes the bangers, you know, he's a banger. All

right. So let's dive. Let's go deeper into it. What are the problems you and the team are looking at? And uniquely qualified to solve? Yeah. So there's a lot of issues. There are these issues like pre-existed the the COVID pandemic, but they were just exacerbated by it. And so the the first thing really is declining wages. I mean, you have top level artists being offered entry

level wages because of the decline in the industry. And so my first sort of burden or like, you know, the thing that gets me up and gets my goat like every day is how do we expand the marketplace? How do we expand the market place? How do we invite more people? How do we create more unique experiences? And I see blockchain as a tool to just

sort of revive that in so far as it's we know in one sense, like we're committed to it, but outside world, you know, for 99% of the world, it's sort of like this like weird buzz word thing. Like what is it? We don't know what it is. And it peaks people's curiosity enough. So part of me is like, hmm, if I can engage with this space.

And bring this like music that everybody says it's boring with this movement in crypto that everybody says is a scam, but actually prove that there's something here. I think I can bring this marketplace and expand this marketplace because there's be enough curiosity to actually like get enough people in the seats and realize a I like this music. Be it's really cool to watch that sound literally

come out of somebody's face like how does that happen? And I believe that if we just increase demand, then we're going to be able to do that. And we won't have to worry about declining wage. I mean, when you just think about like for an artist for for for an opera singer to learn one minute of music, it's like an hour of study. So I'm learning

a 400 page opera right now. And I'm just like, I can't, you know, I can't wrap my head around like the amount of work that is. And then to be told like that highly skilled work isn't going to be properly remunerated. So anyway, that's my biggest burden. I'm like, we need to get these wages up. We need to create more jobs in the second. So I'm

going to be a director. But the other side of it is personal responsibility in the part of the artist. So one of the things that I noticed, even in myself, when I started like my only goal was to get on stage. I was like, I don't care about you. I don't care about this. I'm going to sing. You know, and when I did. I knew it

happened pretty quickly for me, despite some like challenges early on. I was like, oh. So now what? Like what is this? Like I'm singing. Great. Like what? And it's because I didn't know how to think like an entrepreneur. I didn't know how to actually build a personal brand. Regardless. Okay. So what your product is opera singing. So what? You can make people want anything. If you

know how to package it properly. So I'm sitting here going like, how do I expand the genre? How do I expand my brand? How do I invite people in? And I have no business skills. So I was like, okay, I need to learn. I need to learn. So one of the things that I'm doing internally in the community is saying like guys, you have to learn

about finance. You have to learn about entrepreneurship. Social media isn't optional. You have to have a website. Like these are basic things that in my sector just haven't existed because there hasn't been an advocate saying like, do this. You know, we have like information in the schools. It's like 30 years old. We have sort of this like weird relationship to donor basis and sponsors and stuff

like that where we have to kind of like why about the reality of being a performing artist. And so I'm like, let's get rid of all of that. So it's pretty interesting. That part of my audience is that first thing I'd like to step into is basically posting strategies for management. My right? Like, I had methods like for just like reasoning. There is no reason why

any artist who's highly skilled and has really devoted themselves should everybody wanting for finances. I think that's stupid. And I think there should be expansion of art form because it's really cool. Imagine this and then and then I'll. Go for it. You're like, hey, I want to go out tonight. I want to do something different. You meet your friends. And the first thing you do is

you just like have a glass of champagne. Then you have a piece of cake. Like a really cool museum of statues everywhere and dim lighting and a woman walks out with this huge gown. And it's totally something you've never seen. And then this sound comes out and you're sitting there for an hour with captive attention. Just going, I've never experienced this before. This is normal for

us in our culture, but it's not normal for the rest of the world. They don't even know that that kind of experience exists. And it's less money than going to a pop singers concert. It really is. So anyway, I. I'm passionate about these things. Okay, I'm going off topic, but I'm just excited because I haven't gotten to talk with this for a while. And I just

really, really, really care about people's lives and seeing this expansion that I. That I'm like waking up every day trying to promote. I love the energy. I love the energy. And you're very. You are very passionate. Like you said. And thanks to the internet. And YouTube, you could practically learn anything you want to in this world. And it lays about. It is about making society better

as a whole and putting. Putting a few dense in the universe for sure. Yeah. So tell us all about the team and who is involved in what. How do they do where. Alright, so I'm the face of this thing. Mostly because I'll just like talk to anybody and convince them to come to operas and like bug them to death until they do. But I also got

up and create the content and you know, bring together various people. And I sort of have the vision behind these things because you know as Christos is CTO, he's definitely on the technology side. Norman has been performing. You know, worldwide for years and years and years and they're firmly rooted in what they do. And I'm sort of like stepping in between these different areas, filling in

gaps as needed. With Norman. I mean, he was discovered right out the gate in this early. And he's performed all over the world. He's currently in Valencia, Spain. And so he's more on the partnership side of things education. Right. Exactly. And then also just exciting opera companies about the possibilities of blockchain and crypto. And we actually have an interesting meaning coming up this week with a

major opera company in Spain to talk about what we might be able to do for their donors, creating exclusive experiences using blockchain and NFTs, which I think is super cool. And with Christos. Oh my gosh, well, he's like doing operations. He's the one that makes sure that like you know, it's stuff is legal and works. Paperwork. There's a lot of that. It's like, hi, you're partnered

with two artists. Hey, and I'm also like the one who will come to him and say, what if this happened? And it's like some crazy idea. And then he's like, sit down and probably cries. I imagine he probably cries first. And then he figures out how to make it work. But he's the one who introduced me to blockchain. And he's firmly rooted in that. He has

another startup that does defy and other stuff. And he's in a economist and he's brilliant. So we're sort of working that way together. And yeah. And also just bringing expansion into sectors that wouldn't normally engage with the arts. That's kind of the hat that Christos wears. And we also, he and I both do a lot of writing in the media and content creation. And. Yeah. That's

that's pretty much the team. It sounds like you have a powerhouse team there. Do we have to know it's like I'm pretty sure I'm making both of them cry all the time. But it's like it's all good. It's all good. Yes, it is. Yes, it is. So how are you using Web 3 technology and your work? Right. So. Our main like major project right now is

magic Mozart NFT. And I talked a little bit about how that came about. In December of 2021. And the project sort of expanded from there. It's interesting because. Getting into NFTs. Yeah, that just sold for a hundred thousand dollars. Wow. But part of me is actually kind of glad that we're launching and building the project now. Because the aim for our NFT project is a little

bit different than just like flipping NFTs. And in fact, we actually don't want people to flip our NFTs. So. Yeah, I know. Like you're like, what? No, no, no. We're not going to be able to. We don't want people to hold these things for a long time. So the way this project works is somebody purchases an NFT. And then we put them to work. Okay. No,

so I have this community of performing artists. And they need to learn how to be an entrepreneur. So we provide them free entrepreneurship training through the sale of NFTs. We issue them a digital credential after they finish the training. And then they're eligible to apply for. Micro grant. And the NFT holders vote on the proposals from the artist community and sort of journey together with that

artist. And so our goal and our dream is to use these tokens to build a robust worldwide community that journeys with the artist. And I mean, my dream would be that we have like exclusive events where the artist community performance for the NFT holders. And everybody gets to know each other. And I, like I said, bringing that expansion and like that newness to people who wouldn't.

We normally interact with one another. So that's our main project. We have other ones that are like strictly art projects. We have one coming up in Greece, where we're going to outfit me in a Greek fashion designer collection. And we're going to like create our NFTs. And that's just mostly for fun. There is some utility that we're experimenting with on the side with it. But it's

for another day. And we're also creating music NFTs. So we created a new album called Dream Girl, which is a reworking. We're also a really serious Wagner song cycle. It's not quite finished yet. So we're, yeah, we're focusing a lot of different areas with NFTs specifically. And that's our main focus and living opera, which I think is like a natural fit because we're a multimedia sort

of educational. Yeah, thing with two artists at the helm, right? So. Yeah. But for me, the main burden that I see with NFTs is creating utility. And I'm really passionate about that too. Because I don't think people will hold onto these tokens. Or even take the movement. But seriously, if we don't provide real utility and real value to people. All right. All right. My landlord's going

to Greece here shortly. So I was like, can I go. Where's he going? I forget. There's somewhere near Macedonia, I believe. Okay. So in northern Greece. Cool. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He has a lot of family up there. So I was like, man, can I keep hack me in your suitcase? So, so help us understand your. Backstory as both an artist and entrepreneur. Okay. Like, oh, good.

That's an easy one. So, okay. I have these both in boards. Let me show you this. Right. This is me when I'm 18 months old. Okay. Oh, little baby. Yeah. I'm just a little baby. But my mom literally wrote on the back of this, the little opera singer. And I was like, what? And she sent it to make a boy years ago. And she goes, yeah,

I've had this photo of you. I never realized what I'd written on the back. And I was like, that's kind of crazy. Also, just, just so I know this is like perfect singing technique. I wish I could do that now. Don't know how to get back to this point. Spent thousands of dollars to learn how. Anyway. But I'll have to say, I've been singing like before

I could talk before I could walk. I grew up around my dad's small business. He was a contractor. And so sort of like this dual life of help and dad but the business. Like, it's just small ways. Like I take messages or, you know, like, be like, oh, dad, like the bill for the concrete. Whatever, but like, just growing up, it never occurred to me that

people like worked jobs, where they're like, I didn't know what benefits were like, what is that? I don't like, you know, we're self employed. That's what we do. And then as a. Artist, of course, you're also a contractor. So getting into singing professionally, however, I sort of fell into that. It wasn't necessarily what I intended to do. I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to

be an athlete. I was really good at playing basketball. Very aggressive. But no, I eventually realized that was my passion and what I wanted to do. But going into opera wasn't necessarily what I wanted. I wanted to be. I'm right. I was a Broadway, but people saw my voice was too loud. So I started learning opera and then eventually fell in love with that through listening

to like the three tenors and even Phantom of the opera, which a lot of opera people are like, I don't like that, but they just grabbed my attention. And I thought it was super cool. In terms of becoming a professional opera singer, I did not take a traditional path. I hope this encourages anybody who feels like they're not on like the prescribed path because I tried

my best to get on that path. Like the thing you're supposed to do. And just never happened for me, like not ever. I was discovered in a living room eventually in Berlin, Germany, after doing a concert in someone's house. You know, I tried to do it the way you're supposed to with like the training programs and the right manager and all none of that none of

that. It's just been like. It's like there's been this like hand of providence in my life, just putting me like you're going to be in this room and you're going to sing here and then suddenly you're going to be at the Paris Opera. Singing there, it's like, oh, okay. So that's normal. No, no. Like I've had so many weird things happen that I've just learned to

trust it. Like I'm not even surprised that I'm doing blockchain. And I was like, oh, sure. Yeah, it just, yeah, it seems like a normal thing for me to do. But I got my first break after that concert. And I, I think, but four months later, I was singing in some of the biggest stages in the world from a living room. You know, I don't know

how to explain that apart from, I think if something's meant to be and you're supposed to, yeah, you're supposed to do it. It's going to happen. And what's so funny is, I've tried to open doors for myself. I've tried to force them down. And it's like, no, they're not happening. And then they'll be crazy stuff. Like, yeah, you were backstage at the Philharmonic in Berlin. And

then you meet a family. This is Schplanter, Ihed Ram is conductor and that's the linear launch there or you'll be at a conference and make, be you know a connection there. And that's really how my journey in both entrepreneurship and my artistic life has been I've tried to do it the way people say is right and I've had to just finally click Let go and realize

that I'm going to be in the prostrate place the right time. parking like saying and doing the Right things with the right people and be at rest with that, but it's not something way to do it, I gotta just be like, actually let's just like, oh, we don't want to be done there. We're here, ite not just me being the doing water or whatever 's to

this, but we're still talking and doing whatever we want to win this job. It happens. That's very magical when that happens when it finally comes true. Yeah, but it stinks. You're just like, man, I want, I just want to like know what the heck is going on. You know, I don't want, you know, man. And I'd like you brought about your dad being a general contractor,

because you remind me honestly, you are just like my friend. Really? Like she, her name is Winnie Grace. She'll probably get mad that I'm bringing her up, but oh well, her dad's a contractor and I used to work for him. And then she, she does like Broadway and West Palm Beach here in Florida. So and then she's just like so talented and singing and she does

this like one woman show. But yeah, you're just, you're honestly you're just like a prom. So funny. Or maybe she's just like you. I don't know. That's awesome. That's cool. So talk about 2023 and the benchmark. We'll see from the project. Oh my gosh. So, you know, right now we're busy figuring out like how we want to structure our DAO's or creating a DAO decentralized to

almost organization. I mean, your audience doesn't that is. We've, we're doing some kind of interesting. So we're based on the state of Tennessee and we're here strategically because there's special sort of laws here that allow us as an LLC to function as a nonprofit. So we filed the paperwork to have a nonprofit status. And so that's like one really huge thing because we want to be

able to give people like tax benefits for investing and living opera investing in magic Mozart because I really, I'm really passionate about this project and getting it off the ground. And when we kind of looked at the landscape of NFTs crypto blockchain, everything and also the landscape of classical arts. I was like, okay, I think we're going to have to go the nonprofit route. But I

don't, I'm not mad at it. I think it's, I think it's good. So getting that status. And being able to just attract larger donors and get the program off the ground, that's going to be really huge for living opera. For me personally, I'm super excited because I'm, oh my gosh, y'all. So I'm from Canada originally. And I'm a dual citizen with Canada in Greece. But I've

been in the states the last couple of years. I came here on like a special skills visa for singing. So I just want you to know. I'm especially excited. I'm not a professional. But, um, I, like, this has been such a thorny my side I've been applying to like get a green card and stuff like that. And I've kind of been like a frozen state for

a couple of years because of the immigration process. So I now have like new compassion for any person that's going through that. I'm like, wow, this is messed up. I've even been like, should I like become a voice for this? It's like no, you've got too many things going on. Just settle down. But I'm super excited to be performing again. And so it's very meaningful for

me. Like I said, being on the screen in Greek, being a Greek soprano, which is like a specific thing for anybody who knows about that. I'm going to be performing in Athens in March. And it's my debut there. And I'm just super stoked. It's going to be in the Maria Callas theater who has been one of my idols, you know, my whole life. And I'm performing

one of her roles. And this really came about organically. It's just sort of amazing. And so it's just really meaningful for me. Just to have that chance and to go to my dad's home country where my parents met and be in that place. So that's a personal benchmark for me in addition to lodging magic modes are in its fullness. I'm super excited because next month, we're

already like we're already going like even though not everything's not built yet. We're already sending folks out with grant money. So next month to our students are going to Italy and they're going to be taking voice lessons with my teacher in Venice. So we're going to have that kind of content ready for token holders to see. And I'm just so excited about that, like telling these

stories and, you know, amplifying the stories that people wouldn't normally have a spotlight on them. And so, oh gosh, I could go on and on. But those are like those are some things that I'm just super, super excited about for this year. And I'm just excited to see what else is next because it's like, you know, you plan as many things as you want. But like

else. I know Chris is going to be like, man, you just forgot so many things, but it doesn't matter. It's it's there's just so much that we have in store for people and for our community. And so I just believe it's going to be a huge. That's phenomenal. That's phenomenal. And yeah, I'm sure you'll be great performing that and happens. Looking forward to seeing that. Thanks.

So tell us more about the magic of Mozart entities and collections. Yeah. So I'm really proud of this collection, even just like from artistic standpoint, because. Okay. Like, should you say that. So in 2021. I was meeting people and they're like, just hire someone on fiber. I'm like, sir, man. No. Like, what are you saying? I'm just going to like get like a cartoon drawing. I

was like, no, this has to be done properly. So okay. It's like that route. Anyway, it doesn't matter. Um. Artistically, every layer of magic Mozart was planned. This isn't just some like. You know, cute thing. It was really fun for me with the initial like soft launch. When. And then I got to like tell them, oh, this is like the story behind your NFT. So every

layer is planned based on imagery from Mozart's final opera, the magic flute. And that's what creates the rarity in each NFT. So we have like a different jacket or different wig or the prop that he's holding from the opera, which is meaningful to the opera and points back to it. That's one thing. But the thing that I think I'm most proud of is we actually rebuilt

that generative music game that Mozart created in the 18th century. And so every token comes with a personalized menu at that's never been heard. And that person owns it and they don't know forever. And it's composed on the blockchain. It's not like some MP3 thing. It's like it's there. When you mint it. It's yours. And so I just think like from artistic standpoint, that's pretty awesome.

And pretty unusual. But then on top of that, the utility where we are awarding grants and we are going to be seeing people living out their dreams because of the sales of these NFTs. And we're going to be creating a worldwide, even broader community than we have now. And we already have just from our artists community, like over 30 nations represented on five continents and it's

pretty amazing. So I think I've spoken a little bit about how how the project is going to work already. But I am so excited to just see how something like those voice lessons that we're paying for for the girls to go to Italy. It's like $600, $700. But their whole lives are going to change through like, you know, that's not a ton of money. Like I

don't think that's that's like pretty amazing that through basically the sale of one or two NFTs. We're able to send them there and change their whole life. And they're going to come back with information that they really need that they wouldn't want otherwise be able to get. And then we, you know, as content creators, like they're going to create a YouTube video for us. We're going

to watch the process. Watching them drive from Croatia to Italy. You know, all by the way, they're going to get lost for sure. Like inventness. It's like you just cannot get to your destination. You need to leave like two hours in advance. Like it's until you get to know the island. It's just a mess. So that's going to be funny as well. I'm like, don't cut

that part out. We want to see it. But I just feel like when this project is successful, it's also going to have a redeeming quality for the whole crypto movement because it's truly good. You know, I had somebody say to me in a meeting recently, like, it's not strictly illegal to do XYZ and they told me some stuff they wanted to do. And I was like,

um, do you know what you're talking to? Like, are you vibing with me? Do you think that that's something that I want to engage in? Like not really? I'm going to do good things, like not shady, weird things. Um, and I think that through the success of this project, we're going to see a lot more people warm up to this movement and be excited about it.

And we've been really inspired by the way, like, I don't know what your opinion is on like Gary Vee and V friends, but we've been really inspired by that project and just seeing how he's trying to like take good qualities and like instill them in the public eye and just say, like, hey, patients, the virtue. Maybe you should work on your patients. Maybe you should be

more generous. Maybe you should be more forgiving. And we think that's really great and a good example of how to use this technology. And of course, it's a profitable project, but it has a really great heart behind it too. And I think that if we can convince more people to go that direction, we're going to see a lot more community participation worldwide. Yeah. Gary Vee is

definitely someone I admire a lot and it's actually got me and got me to start podcasting about. Oh my gosh. And going back to what you said about the girls, it's the long term value that matters the most. Totally. For sure. Totally. So what does success look like for living opera in the next five years? Oh my gosh. I want to time do you have. As

long as it takes. If you have to go, I understand your busy. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Things to do. Oh my goodness. Well, obviously, you know, I want to sell. Magic Mozart, NFT collection and provide a real value for the token holders. And we're thinking about brand partnerships, but how we could just excite them and delight them and

surprise them through like perks in the NFTs themselves. That's something that we're actively working on in addition to building out how is this job going to work? How the proposal is going to work? How are we going to sell these things and who's going to participate? So getting that completely launched and vibrant and thriving and just being like a like a fly. Just down in the

ground to say, like, yes, we did it. Like that is going to be such a weight lifted off of me just to see that come fully to fruition. Of course, just personally speaking, doing more with combining blockchain and music and creating even tours around that. I'd love to see NFTs as tickets in the future. And we kind of want to pioneer that with our with our

dream girl collection. One of the things we want to do is set up a concert tour and see if we can express it. We're going to start with the environment with using NFTs as tickets to those concerts, even if it's small, like even with just a hundred people. Like I would love to see that come to fruition and become how people engage with live music. So

if we can pioneer that in any way, I would love to be able to do that. We have an app that we're building, as I said, and I really want to see that come. You know, it's so hard. You want to do everything at once. It's like you realize you can't you have to just kind of like focus. And I know that from literally learning music.

And I have to learn the whole role at once. I have to learn it page by page, but you know, like why don't you apply the same thing to your business? Like, okay, calm down. Um, steps. Um, but in terms of like you know, like five years out. I have this dream. Um, about having hubs, like all over the world. So here in Nashville to me,

that'd be like a perfect hub for people to come. Appreciate different genres of music. Of course, mostly focused on classical music. But be it like a community builder, like a space where people come in and really meet and really engage and talk. It's one of the things that I love. You know, I was living in Europe for a long time. And one of the things I

noticed when I was living in Austria is the coffee and cafe culture. And you will have people who literally come in. And they're morning and sounds decadent to us because we're in this like go go go go go work culture here in the States. But it really impacted me to see somebody come in and really just engage reading a full news. Like this is a good

morning. So we were like, Oh, what's going on in this paper with a cup of coffee. And that's how they were going to spend an hour. And I was like, well, it's that we're seeing like, people come and truly have a conversation and really engage and ask questions. And. Um, ever being really convicted. Uh, when I first came to Europe because I realized I didn't truly

know how to have a conversation. I was just mostly waiting to talk. Instead of absorbing the information, processing it and then asking a relevant question. And I mean, right now our main sort of concentration is of people. I'm trying to think where they are. We have a huge large group of our communities here in the States, but especially in New York City, Vienna, Austria, Paris, interestingly,

and London. So I mean, that's expensive real estates. We have to figure out how that works. But I would love to have living opera hubs. And just really have a space because I don't really know anything else. I mean, place like that where it's like a community place around classical music. And I mean, I can't think of anything. And I always have my eyes peeled for

it. So I would just really love to build that. And I've actually like seen it. I'm like, I'm drawn on a piece of paper. It's like, Hey, the coffee bars here. And this is where the performances happen. And this is where the practice rooms are. And this is where people are going to meet and. And like kids can come and learn how to. I don't know.

Play this. I love phone. I just I have this vision for it. And so that's what we're aiming towards. And I've had it on my list of like my dreams, like since 2019, even before living opera became a business. It was just like something in my mind. Oh, really. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Wow. You have big dreams. And there's no doubt that you're going to make them

happen. Make them come true. So where do you currently get your inspiration from? You know, if you want to be an artist, you have to be constantly seeking inspiration. I read a lot. I actually don't listen to a lot of music because I need to declutter and like, you know, sound. Because sound production is such a huge part of my life. And as an opera singer,

I have to imagine the sound before I created. I can't just create a sounds like I have to hear it first. So right now, I'm spending a lot of time in nature. It's marvelous here because we live a little bit outside of the city. And there's a walking trail and there's a lake. And. It's not completely a rural, but you'll see deer, you'll see rabbits, you'll

see different wildlife. And I like to go out there. And I even just like. Okay. When we were rebranding living opera, I had noticed, like, I kept them studying these clouds. And I noticed there were like rainbows in the clouds. And that sounds like a weird thing. But just like Google it cloud ear descents is a cool, interesting thing. And I started to see them everywhere.

And it became the inspiration for our color. For the website, you can go there and see the colors that we chose. And they're very much strategic and like, yeah, based on inspiration from from looking outside. But I like how slow it is when I'm in nature. And I need it because everything else that I do. And also how I'm personally nature is like so like, you

know, that I need to go out there and just be like. And I just like, I just think about that cloud. You know. Oh, hey, I wonder how many horns that beer has. I mean, like I, I need to just like slow it way down. Just get it all out of my system. And then I can come back and just come 100 and 10% to whatever

it is. I'm trying to achieve that day. And I think it's really important. Because we need to guard our focus in this time. And we really need to get a lot of time. And I think it's really important. And I think it's really important. To cultivate a longer attention span. So we won't be grabbed by every little thing that is presented to us. You know, it's

just like these things like scrolling, scrolling, scrolling, it's like you can just input. Just millions of pieces of content per day if you want to. But what's that really doing for your life. I think that any person that can really just like. Harness their focus and really apply their time to what they really want to see. They're going to. Have a satisfying life. And I'm inspired

by peace. I'm inspired by people that can just rest. And I aspire to be like that as well. To be a person that that brings that kind of fulfillment and rest into other people's lives as well. And that's a constant like learning curve for me because of how I am. But yeah, go out for a walk today, guys. Just go out for a walk. Get some

vitamin D. Don't put your pods in that don't put the ear pods in just like literally go out there. It's hard. Like you'll see how long. 30 minutes really is. If you're not trying to kill time with content and sound and music. It's like if that's like a real exercise. But it'll help you and everything you're doing. And it's like it's a very good use of

your time. Yeah, enjoy the sounds of the bird singing. Oh yeah. I mean, this is the sound silly, but it's like, do that. I'm afraid I can like. You know, and then I'm thinking about what I'm singing and I sing this role that actually has to imitate sort of like little bird chirping things. And so like even at that. It's like, okay, well, how does that

authentically sound? I mean, sounds corny, but it's like if it's your job to recreate sound. You know, why wouldn't you exactly exactly. So are there any predictions you like to offer for any of the industries you're touching in your work as a CEO. At living opera? Yeah. Oh my gosh. So I definitely have a feeling about the music industry. But one thing I will say and

it's sort of like. I would say a warning for us. Any of us who want to really see blockchain. And I mean, not blocking blockchain is going to have a so all kinds of uses. But I just mean more like the front facing like NFTs, PFPs. You know, artistic projects. We're going to have to get really serious. About providing utility and value to the general public

in this movement. Or I think people are going to just keep dismissing it. And they shouldn't because people are going to be engaging with blockchain, whether they want to or not. And if some people can actually get on the ground floor of this. You know, it'll be like, I believe like in the dot com boom in the 90s and really important people's lives. So that's one

thing. So we need to really think about what we're building and building with integrity. And I think that's really important. And building well. And the projects that will do that will be long lasting and profitable. And the ones who are still trying to operate in like a 2020 2021 vibe. I think they're just going to like fall to the way side. So that's one thing. And

the music industry. This is something that predates COVID. And I was even talking to a producer that I know. And he's worked all the biggest dams. I won't drop them now. But you can just imagine. And I was asking him like, what do you think? This industry is going to do it at large. And he said the future is going to be subscriptions and direct to

consumer. So I was like, okay, so how would that work? You're going to have to build up a following and sell directly to them. Because even for us with a major record labels and, you know, the traditional model of business, we're having to diversify because our profit margins are just like going way down. And he's speaking to somebody who like creates, you know, the pop hits.

And stuff. And I was like, oh, that's kind of scary. If you're saying that and you're working with, you know, that, you know, pop princess. So to speak that kind of kind of terrifies me. But, um, so I think we're going to see an increase of that of artists really just taking control of their own careers, leveraging social media, creating their own brands and sort of

freeing themselves from the traditional business model. Because I think if we can really convince consumers, to engage with NFTs, you don't have to have millions of streams. You know, you can have 100 fans, 500 fans, 1000 fans worldwide. And you can earn your living that way. And that's what I would like to see more of. And as, you know, existing brands, big brands engage more with

blockchain. I think we're going to see more diversification within the music industry. And I, I really hope we do because there's a lot of talent that is having like burnout and issues and, you know, quitting. And we need to hear those voices and those sounds because they're, you know, they were given those gifts for a reason. And so I'm excited for that. All right. All right.

Well, we're coming short to time. Is there anything you want to go over before we close? No, I think I just, um, I really care about people's lives. And I think there's so much messaging in the world that tells you why you can't do something. And it's usually fear based. And so I just want the audience to like, remember, if there's fear in someone's advice, you

should probably ignore it. Because they're projecting more like what, what scares them. Then really maybe what might be your experience. Because if I would have listened to people, you know, I never would have gone to Europe and never would have been discovered. I would have just stayed small, would have been sad, you know, and even now, um, pushing past people was like, oh, that's stupid. Like,

crypto is dumb. Why are you doing that? Like, it's okay. You can just think that, you know, the worst part, what would think happened is that I fail. What does have to do with you? So I just want people to be bold and courageous and try. Um, and just don't be afraid if it doesn't work out. Like literally who care that they have time to pay

attention to your failure. They're obviously not trying in their own lives. Because like, I don't even know what's going on. Like anywhere. I'm so focused on what I'm trying to do. I'm just trying to get it. I believe I'm supposed to do that. I only have time to celebrate others. I don't have time to tear anybody down. It's like there's no, that's not fruitful for me

or anybody else. So that's what I want to leave people with. Yeah. And having that good energy and good vibes for sure. For sure. So thank you. I really appreciate it. And um, if you ever in a cryptocurrency event in Miami or somewhere in Washington, you see, I hope to see you there. Yeah, I've been in those places a whole time. Now we're just meeting. This

is so dumb. Okay. All right. Well, next time. Next time for sure. Have a great one. Thank you. Bye. Did you know that podcasts are a great way to grow your personal and business brand voice. Here's a street. We all want to feel connected to brands we buy from. We're going to be a better way to humanize a brand than through sharing your story on a

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