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

Hi Marcus, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work-life balance has been a dynamic journey for me, I’ve had to evolve as my career has grown. In the early days, I often prioritized my projects over everything else, believing that sheer dedication and long hours were the keys to success. This approach led to burnout especially in 2017 while I was working to complete my 2017 album “20s A Difficult Age”. At that time I heavily considered quitting music because of it, on top of that I felt I wasn’t receiving the support I wanted from my peers and had expectations that I had to temper. This season in my life not only taught me the hard way that sustainability, resiliency and longevity are crucial for creativity. But it also allowed me to explore other outlets for creativity and expression.

Over time, I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries and carving out time for rest and personal life. I’ve come to see balance not as a rigid schedule but as a fluid practice that changes based on my current projects and personal needs. I try to allocate specific time for creative work, self-care, and family or social connections. It’s about recognizing when to push forward and when to step back. I also focus on integrating mindfulness into my routine, whether through meditation, therapy, journaling, or simply taking breaks to recharge. This has helped me maintain a clearer perspective on my work and priorities. I believe that when I nurture my well-being, my creativity flourishes, allowing me to produce more meaningful work.

Ultimately, I see balance as an ongoing conversation with myself. It’s a reminder that my art is a part of who I am, but it doesn’t define my entire existence. By embracing balance the way I define it, I would like to create work that reflects not only my artistic vision but also a more holistic approach to where I am in life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is my ability to tell stories across multiple mediums—whether through music, design, or games—and my dedication to creating experiences that resonate deeply with people and connect to the human experience. Especially music, my music has been a vehicle for connection to others. Especially because the sounds I’ve curated through the years have been contrary to what the mainstream is presenting. My discography includes: “Rebel of the Underground” (2013), “20s A Difficult Age” (2017), “Marcus Orelias” (2022), and my most recent release, “Maybe It’s Somethin’…” (2024) (which is the artwork I provided an image of in this article). I’ve also ventured into writing prequel novels that tie into the 20s A Difficult Age story “Energy Manual by Gods, for Taurari” (2023), as well as stand alone series like “Samsara Imago” (2023), graphic novels “20s A Difficult Age: The Blue Madjai” (2020), created graphic designs (including logos), and I’m currently working on even more projects that push the boundaries of creativity like video games.

I’m most proud of how my work fosters connections not just centers around wanting to be famous or some kind of celebrity. Each album, graphic novel, and design project tells a unique story, but they all share a common threads: the exploration of identity, love, struggle, and triumph. I believe in-part art should be like a mirror that people can look into and it provokes deep thought and evokes deeper emotion, and my journey has been fueled by that belief. Great artist are greater magicians who create magic tricks that appear based on where the audience is but there to go deeper when they are ready to. Also my company, R.O.T.U. World usually host events to celebrate products we complete whether it is an album listening or a product launch – it’s great to bring the community together. I love receiving constructive feed back from our supporters, I thrive off of it.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy and I am still working toward my goals. I faced numerous challenges and still do, from financial to creative blocks. But I learned that resilience, and backwards mapping is key. When faced with setbacks, I leaned into my creativity, often using those experiences as inspiration for my work. Collaborating with other artists also helped me navigate these obstacles and stay motivated.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of communication, authenticity and kindness. Staying true to my voice and vision has not only defined my brand but also attracted a community that resonates with my art. I want the world to know that my story is one of exploration and vulnerability, where every piece is an invitation to connect on a deeper level. I believe I am here during this time in human history to color outside of the lines and continue pushing creative boundaries, to inspire others by showcasing new ideas, and employ people to set a new standard on what it looks like when a company creates a culture of love and care for its employees, to treat them like human beings and not just workers. I’ve been designing a company culture that assist it’s employees in life not enslave or replace them with AI. I know this will be a tall task in today’s climate and even counter intuitive to saving/making a dollar but I do believe it is needed and reflects in the work we create.

With business and storytelling a like, our shared experiences can create powerful connections.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my incredible community of fellow artists, mentors, and supporters who have shaped my journey. The creatives I collaborated with regularly, their energy and passion inspires me daily. I appreciate that they bring unique perspectives and styles that challenge and elevate our work. Ultimately, our success is woven from the threads of these relationships and experiences. I’m grateful for every person who has played a role in my story and continues to inspire me to push forward.

Website: https://www.rotuworld.com

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7Qwy6IeAEOXw7foVxB_aA

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Ja0zvoIw86xDMsRyK2n51

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/marcus-orelias/512581313

Image Credits
Photos provided by R.O.T.U. World LLC and NXG Media LLC
“Maybe It’s Somethin’…” album art illustrated by Katlego Motaung, original concept by Marcus Orelias

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.