We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nolan Jae a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nolan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I want my legacy to be remembered and revered as an artist. Song writing is very important to me and I want the songs and music videos that I create to be looked at as art, not just music. I really admire Edgar Allan Poe and Vincent Van Gogh and I always want to keep that element of art and creativity in my music. I’d like my legacy to be remembered as someone who made art to change people’s lives.
Nolan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a Contemporary Pop Rock artist, Vocalist, Creative Director and Lyricist. I became interested in music at the early age of 3 but seriously began pursuing voice lessons at Seton Hill at 15 when my family and classmates noticed my talent with vocals.
Poetry became therapeutic while in middle school and as I grew my talent in writing, I wrote and recorded my first official song, Tidal Wave, in 8th grade. Most artists focus on instrumentals while I really push my vocal talent to capture the true art of my work.
I am currently working on my album, “So what now?” and I recently released two singles, Emerald Eyes and King of the World, available on Spotify and YouTube.
Have you ever had to pivot?
My life pivot really began after a bad fall, leaving me with a concussion and severe migraines that stole 2 years away from my life. At that time, I was a black belt in Karate and I thought martial arts was going to be my life path. When I started suffering from migraines, I missed almost an entire year of school. I couldn’t leave my room and be in any light. Sometimes I’d get as many as 5 or 6 migraines a day.
It was at this time that I started writing poetry and songs as my therapy because I became extremely depressed. I started writing in a notebook because I couldn’t look at a phone or a TV or anything electronic. I lost a lot of friends because of my injury and the time I missed out in my life.
I was already in Chorus so when I was in school I really focused on music and singing. It was nice to have something else in my head other than pain. Pivoting from martial arts to a creative career in the arts was such a change but I’ve never been so certain that this is my purpose.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The crowd is the most rewarding. I think it’s really rewarding when people who don’t know you will get up and dance or try to sing along even if they don’t know the words. It tells me I’m doing something right when total strangers will get up and compliment me or open up to me about something personal. It’s a nice ego boost but shows me that my music makes an impact in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nolanjaemusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolanjaemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nolanjaemusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwkswWRJUxBHk2G8ECC9QLA