Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Beck.

Hi Jake, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

Alright, so here’s the deal. I started out just like any other kid with a guitar—writing songs in my bedroom, dreaming big, and not having a clue how to actually make it happen. But I wasn’t the type to wait around for someone to “discover” me. I learned how to produce my own music, market it, and build a brand from the ground up.

Over time, I found my sound—a rock foundation with enough catchiness to stick in your head. That led to some pretty cool milestones, like cracking the Top 100 on USA iTunes Rock, landing on the BBC UK playlist, and selling out the El Mocambo. Those moments made me realize: “Okay, I’ve got something here.”

But I’ve always been about more than just the music. I wanted to figure out how to actually win in this industry and help other artists do the same. So I started a social media and Spotify marketing company that’s worked with over 40 record labels as well as 1000’s of independent artists, helping artists grow their fanbases and succeed without having to sell their souls to a label.

Now, I’m expanding. I love big ideas, deep conversations, and challenging the garbage industry of music, so I’ve jumped into mentorship and creating online courses. I want to help musicians and creators learn how to monetize their talents, gain real traction, and take control of their careers without having to sell out.

But getting to this point wasn’t a straight line. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way—bad playlists, wasted time, even some financial hits. The thing is, I make sure that I own those mistakes. I’ve learned from every one of them, and I make damn sure I don’t repeat them. More than that, I’ve tried to take those countless lessons and turn them into something useful for other people. If I can save someone else the time, money, and stress I went through, that’s a win in my books.

At the end of the day, I’m just a guy who wants to make great music, have meaningful conversations, and help other people succeed on their terms. That’s where I’ve been, and that’s where I’m headed.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Smooth road? Not even close. The journey’s been full of potholes, wrong turns, and some pretty expensive lessons. Early on, I wasted a ton of money on things I thought would help me get ahead—like paying for bullshit playlist companies that promised the world but only delivered botted streams. One time, I worked on a song for months, poured my heart into it, only to have it removed from Spotify because I got scammed. That one stung like a biiitch.

Then there were the times I paid people for services—mixing, marketing, whatever—and they just didn’t deliver. No refunds, no accountability, just ghosted. I’ve also thrown money at ad agencies that talked a big game but didn’t get me any results. Every one of those experiences was frustrating as hell, but they taught me how to spot the red flags and vet people properly.

Here’s the reality: 99.99% of marketing people, including the ones at record labels, don’t have a clue what they’re doing. They’re stuck in outdated strategies from a music industry that doesn’t exist anymore. The old way is dead. What we need now is a completely new approach to music—one built on strategies that actually work in today’s digital/social media world. It took me a while to figure that out, but once I did, everything changed. Now, I see the path forward clearly, and I’m carving my own lane.

But looking back, I wouldn’t trade those struggles because they taught me what not to do. Now I’m a lot smarter with my decisions, and I make sure to share what I’ve learned so others don’t have to go through the same BS I did.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

What do I do? I’m a singer, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. I create music that blends rock with catchy, relatable elements, but I’m also deeply invested in helping independent artists and creators find their footing in a broken industry. I’ve built a brand that’s about doing things differently, whether it’s through my music or the way I help others succeed online.

What sets me apart? I think it comes down to a combination of authenticity and adaptability. I’ve always stayed true to my sound and vision, but I also understand that the music industry—and the world in general—keeps evolving. I’m not afraid to adapt and rethink things, especially when I see a gap between what people say works and what actually does. I’ve learned a lot from making mistakes and navigating a music industry that’s stuck in the past, and now I use that knowledge to help others save time, money, and stress.

What am I most proud of? Selling out a legendary venue like El Mocambo was definitely a proud moment, but beyond that I’ve gotten my addictions entirely under control. When I look back on what’s important, I will want to have mad music as long as possible. This takes longevity and solid mental health so yeah, I’m quite proud of myself for that one – totally eclipsing all of my musical accomplishments.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?

Hands down, it’s resilience. The ability to keep going when everything feels like it’s falling apart or when people tell you “no” or when you make mistakes that cost you. You’ve got to be able to get up, learn from it, and keep moving forward without letting it derail you. The music industry will try to break you, and life will throw curveballs, but if you can stay grounded and keep pushing, you’ll get there.

I’ve faced a lot of challenges—setbacks, things that didn’t work out the way I thought they would, and moments where I had to reassess what I was doing. But instead of letting those things stop me, I used them as fuel. That mindset is what’s kept me going and allowed me to pivot when needed. Resilience isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being able to bounce back stronger every time you face a setback.

Grit beats talent.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jakebeckmusic

Image Credits

Jessica Chin King (Colour)

Aaron Sambey (B&W Shots)