Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jason Branscum. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jason, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I think this affects most folks from a financial standpoint. It’s definitely feast or famine in the music world. Either you have enough fans to do whatever you want, or you don’t. Fortunately for me, over the years various older musicians have taught me the skills to monetize old successes and make the most with dry spells. That’s actually where I’m at right now. I’ve found some niche gigs that pay enough for us to live off of, supplemented by old recordings and other groups’ performances of my older music. As a result, I’ve been able to avoid teaching as a fallback. Those jobs should be reserved for individuals that are passionate about education first and foremost. When I see an unhappy musician questioning their vocation, it’s usually someone who makes their money teaching but is primarily doing it just to that end.

To truly answer the question, my biggest point of questioning comes when I think about my children’s bedtime. I’m lucky to be a musician and a parent and reap the joys of both titles. However, as much time as I get to spend with my kids in the day, it’s scary missing so many important bedtime moments each week. I’m again lucky to have a wife that is happy with this arrangement, but when Monday night rolls around and I see what I missed four or even more nights in a row, it’s enough to question the whole career path I have built these past twenty years. I carve out a lot of time for my kids almost every day, but some specific times seem irreplaceable, and as they get older, evening activities look like they are only going to become more significant.

Jason, 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 primarily a trombonist and composer. I’ve toured around most of this country and part of Europe with various jazz and funk groups. I got my start playing in bars and worked my way into all sorts of bizarre scenarios ranging from playing on the street to stadium arenas and most everything in between.

Music is the fun intersection of the objective and the subjective. Its effects on us are abstract. Everyone has different preference, but you’d be hard pressed to find a human being that doesn’t enjoy SOME type of music. It also represents different things to different people at different times. At the same time, it is produced using unchanging structures baked into the universe related to the ratios of different vibrations. All of music is possible because of the way we perceive these structures. I hope in my work to create beauty and dissonance to reflect wonder and possibility that are afforded by these principles. We live in a profoundly broken world. Whether it’s at a concert performing to an attentive audience, playing on the street to intrigued strangers, or basically making sonic wallpaper at a fancy party, I always aim to inspire a hope for joy and spiritual connection. Realistically, whether or not the listening catches that spark is beyond my control. I don’t try to take on that responsibility either. But I do hope to create one more opportunity for anyone listening whenever I pick up my horn.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2011 I had just finished a couple of years of random runs on the road with various bands. Two of the leaders of one of these bands died tragically that year. I had a lot of fun local gigs lined up but nothing that paid well. A bigger local act started hiring me for club dates and we talked a little about doing something more regular. After a few weeks of discussing this casually, they sent me a large list of dates. Unfortunately, the pay wasn’t what I expected from experience with similar groups and more importantly, not enough to cover my bills!

I ended up finding an entry level job through a friend working in a factory. After a couple months, they taught me to weld and other fabrication skills. I ended up spending the next two years as an iron worker. It was very unexpected and absolutely great. As time went on, I reworked my music career and eventually quit the day gig again. However, those two years were educational and totally fun.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Tree and Leaf by J.R.R. Tolkein

It’s actually just a compilation of one essay and one short story. Both are relevant to any entrepreneur.

The essay is On Fairy-Stories, in which Tolkien laments the relegation of Fairy Tales to children’s literature and the resulting loss in adult wisdom. He describes rules that transcend natural laws and give the reader an expectation for more than what the natural world prepares. Entrepreneurs often times think we have taken ourselves out of the rat race since we’re working towards our own goals. Practically, we have bills to pay the bills and the same temptation to follow bottom dollar ultimately rears up though. This essay serves as a good reminder to keep one’s head up for what Tolkien refers to as “eucatastrophe.” Get the book and look it up!

The short story is called Leaf by Niggle. Basically, Niggle dies before finishing his life’s work, distracted by his best friend’s constant needs. Tolkien wrote it when the second world war broke out and he didn’t think he would be able to finish the Lord of the Rings. It was his process of coming to terms with this and I think it’s a great piece for reflecting on the possibility of unfinished work and aligning one’s values in light of this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.branscumtunes.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063645244783
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBEuZsUAYXEB3anjPC7bsKA
• Other: https://jasonbranscum.bandcamp.com/?from=viewsite_dashboard

Image Credits
Artwork by Fernando Utreras