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

Jack, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I think that most full-time creatives have this question bouncing around their head regularly… or at least I do. I think all jobs present challenges and are rewarding in different ways.

If I had a regular day job, I would have much less flexibility with my time. I would probably have to commute. I think I’d need a new wardrobe, unless the office attire includes graphic tees from all the bands I’ve worked with over the years. That’s pretty much my whole closet. But with a regular job, I might have health insurance covered and a consistent paycheck, even if I just do the bare minimum. Probably most important- I would be building someone else’s dream.

As a self-employed creative, every day I create my own schedule. I definitely put in more than 40 hours a week, but I’m at home with my cat and often my wife, creating music. In addition to producing other artists, I have also written a lot of royalty-free songs and jingles, so some days I am creating my own assets that can pay royalties for years down the road. No healthcare and no guaranteed pay though.

At the end of the day, I want to feel fulfilled. I make music, but ultimately I’m in the business of helping artists bring their dreams to life and that is probably one of the most rewarding feelings in the world.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Heyyy, my name is Jack Roberts and I’m a music producer, mixing engineer, and composer located in Denver, Colorado. I’ve been a full time creative for 10 years and over that time, I have worked with musicians from all over the US, and recently UK and Argentina. I have also written custom music and mixed commercials for Kroger, Comcast, Humana and many others. Last year, one of the commercials I worked on was awarded a Heartland Emmy Award.

I think the thing that has really helped me succeed through the years is that I really try deliver on the artist or clients’ vision. I hear a lot of stories about artists that had to compromise on their sound because their producer had their own preferences, or simply refused to make changes. I get it, sometimes I’m proud of a part that I made that has to get cut, but it’s not my call. My job is to deliver the artist’s perfect vision, not mine. I’ll definitely make suggestions, but the artist is always in charge. It’s the same with branded music. My music preferences are irrelevant, I have to create the essence of a brand through sound. That can take any path imaginable, for example…

I don’t drink, but one time I had to rent a keg so that I could create a mnemonic tagline (think like the NBC notes or Law and Order-“Bum Bum”) for a company called Microstar. Microstar created an intelligent way to the handle shipping logistics for kegs going and coming from bars and restaurants. I wanted to use an actual keg to create a deep bell tone that had a bit of slosh. I struck it with a hammer a few times, pitched it into the key of the song and applied some effects and that was sound!

Weird ideas like that are almost commonplace, but it’s fun, keeps me on my toes.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes! It’s so important that all musicians, young and old, get set up with a performing rights organization like BMI or ASCAP when you start releasing music and playing shows.

If you don’t, you are leaving money on the table. It’s free and easy to do. It will help you be prepared for music licensing opportunities and set you up to collect the royalties that you are owed for your music for the rest of your life.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Creating music is rewarding on its own, but I feel even more inspired when I remember that I’m helping people reach for their dreams. Music has the power to bring people together and share powerful and emotional stories. Music can transmit feeling. Sound is literally the vibration of life. That kind of stuff lifts me up when I need it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://6recordingstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6recordingstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/6recordingstudio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itsjackiemoon

Image Credits

Justin Urban