Episode 27

27 - Neil Giraldo - Stay Locked

Published on: 28th August, 2025

SLAM: Music Survival Guide 27 - Neil Giraldo - Stay Locked

-Most of the time, when people fall into dark places, there's a part of their being, whether it's an artistic or creative side of them, that's screaming to get out.

  • -12 tapes for a penny.
  • -We're driving, and all of a sudden, we get hit from behind while we're on the freeway, going 75 miles an hour.
  • -I study a lot of philosophy and a lot of spirituality with the I Ching and the Kundalini and the Tao, and all this stuff, right? So, I followed that strongly, and without that, I wouldn't be where I am today.
  • -That's why I stress the spirituality for everybody. . . It's good for the body, it's good for the soul. What's good for the mind is good for the soul. You gotta integrate all those things. Had I not had that, I wouldn't have been able to deal with any of it, any at all, and it kept me grounded.
  • -You gotta live through this world kind of naked. You gotta be. . . not afraid of being exposed
  • - This ain't normal, I know that, but it just happened in this lifetime.
  • -Respect's easy. If you're not confident, and you're not secure, there's no way that's gonna happen. I don't care if in a band, in a relationship, It's not gonna happen.
  • -Just do it and have fun. It's not about a cash thing. In fact. . . money's gonna be going to so many organizations for that it's not about that. It's about the songs and the music.
  • -Find the spirituality, no matter what it is, in the dark - - not the darkest moment. Because the darkest moment is going to be the easiest one to be able to go there, because you're going to be so dark, you're gonna need help. . . Try to go when you're right in the middle.
  • -If you happen to get in a dark place, reading will get you out of it. Read something positive. Find something that you can connect with. . . Pick up a pencil.
  • -Most of the time, when people fall into dark places, there's a part of their being, whether it's an artistic or creative side of them, that's screaming to get out.
  • -Once you lock it, stay locked.
  • -Second chances are good, and they happen, but not threes and fours.




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SLAM Summit - Surviving and Thriving in the Music Industry
Join the band. Join the movement. Protect musicians.
The Music Industry Survival Guide! Real talk with music superstars and industry VIPs, shining a spotlight on the day-to-day realities for songwriters, performers, road warriors, industry workers, and all the resilient souls who live and breathe music. Host: Jack Mangan.

“I hope other musicians see this and know they’re not alone.”
-Marc Lopes (Metal Church, Ross the Boss)

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