We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Justus Montgomery a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Justus, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

During college and for a few years after graduating, I was fortunate enough to make a living playing music full-time. Like anyone starting out, it was slow at first, but after six months, I was able to quit my part-time job and focus solely on performing. The biggest challenge was building a network—I relied heavily on cold calls and other people’s connections to get my foot in the door. However, I knew I had something special, and once I had the chance to perform, booking return shows became much easier. Word of mouth spread quickly, and by 2018, I had booked 140 shows in that year alone.

When COVID hit in 2020, like many others in the industry, I had to step away from being a full-time musician and take a full-time job to make ends meet. In 2022, after the pandemic began to ease, I moved to Nashville to reignite my music career. Just two weeks ago, I officially quit my full-time job to return to pursuing music full-time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Justus Storm, born and raised in Moulton, AL. I started learning to play guitar, sing, and write music at age 11. Growing up, I was influenced by a wide range of artists, including Garth Brooks, The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and John Mayer. I would sit by the radio, trying to pick up chord progressions and match pitch as I sang along to my favorite songs, which eventually led to writing my own music.

The music industry is tough—raw talent alone isn’t enough. You have to learn the business side of things and treat yourself as a brand. That was one of the hardest lessons I had to learn when I pursued music full-time during college.

What sets me apart as an artist and songwriter is my commitment to authenticity. From the way I craft my songs to how I sing, I focus on being true to myself. Every artist has their own unique tone and timbre, and I’ve worked hard to develop mine through countless live performances and writing sessions. If there’s one word I want people to associate with me, it’s “authentic.”

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Being an independent artist can be incredibly tough. The pressure to always sound amazing, write great songs, and constantly post engaging content on social media can become overwhelming. I often see my peers, and sometimes myself, feeling discouraged, wondering if their career will ever match the vision they’ve set for themselves. It’s a reality of running your own business—whether you’re in music or another industry.

As an independent artist, you’re not just an artist. You wear many hats: touring manager, general manager, business and financial manager, booking agent, social media strategist, content creator, website designer, and more. The success of your career doesn’t just rely on your talent as a musician or performer. Balancing all these roles is one of the toughest parts of being a recording and performing artist.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is connecting with people through music. An artist’s job is to create music that resonates emotionally with listeners, making them “feel” something. That’s the true purpose of music. I’ve had the privilege of meeting fans who’ve shared how my music has impacted their lives and how they relate to my songs. Those moments are what make me love what I do. My goal is to create music that reaches a broad audience and positively affects their lives, much like the artists and songs I grew up with did for me.

Another reward of being an artist is waking up every day excited to go to “work.” As I’ve mentioned earlier, the path of a recording and performing artist is tough and can be discouraging at times, but at the end of the day, we get to do what we love. When you’re doing what you love, it never truly feels like work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justusstorm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justusstorm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustusStormMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@justusstorm
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/justusstormmusic
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justusstorm