We recently connected with Autumn Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Autumn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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?
Of course there are many challenges that come with the “unconventional” life of a creative, especially one who wants to make their craft their livelihood. Bills, Health care, rent etc. These are still very real things and sometimes they can be overwhelming in the not so constant business of music. But yes, I am extremely happy! I have the privilege of living at home with my amazingly supportive parents, and yes I’m 25, and no I did not think I’d be home at this point of my life. Hilariously and naively, I actually had no intention of coming back to my parents after college other than for major holidays and some family functions. I’ve been working up to 2 jobs since I was 15; I figured I’d always be able to support myself financially and would just be the kind of person who was always working, but the economy is more fragile than I thought. So here I am figuring it all out and though the cost of living is on my mind, I free my soul with music. I currently work as a music teacher at a flourishing local after school music program and it has been a rewarding experience as well as a great way to practice my craft more often. I recently left my 2nd job, which was very corporate, to have more availability for gigging and focusing on my music which is my true passion. I’ve always believed that when one door closes, another one opens. Shortly after leaving that job, I got a call to go on my very first tour! They were going to pay me to travel the country and sing on different stages in states and cities I had never visited!! What a dream! It lights me up to get on stage and perform. When I think about the corporate 9-5 schedule, it fills me with dread and stress. It’s nice to think about the potential health benefits, the PTO, the steady income; but in my experience, those types of jobs lack authenticity and true connection. It’s the opposite of everything I believe in and everything I strive to be. I know I live an unorthodox lifestyle. But when I think of the little version of me inside, my inner child is more than happy to stray off the beaten path. I love adventure and I love to take big risks. My life as a Singer is exactly that. I can settle for something less risk taking in my later years is how I look at it. This is the youngest I’ll ever be, why settle!
Autumn , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Autumn Jones, I’m a Professional Performer and Musician from Maplewood, NJ. I write Neo-Soul and R&b songs available on All Major Music platforms. I’ve been singing all my life, since I can remember. I lived in a house where my parents really encouraged me to listen to music and try new things. One of the first memories I have of singing is when my dad brought me to a church when I was about 5 or 6. I sang Amazing Grace in front of the entire church; it was the scariest moment of my life and I think as performances go, I was not what you’d call a child prodigy. But the way people made a point to congratulate me on my performance was very curious to me. They all seemed really moved by my ability to be able to get up at such a young age and share my voice, something I learned that day, was an intimate gift. It sparked a curiosity and new found love for music. I soon after, started piano lessons and got really passionate about learning to read music. I joined my school’s choir and began playing the cello in the school orchestra as well. My mother took me to audition for a local production of Oliver and again I was terrified. To help me get over my fear, she went ahead of me to show that if she could survive it, I could as well. I auditioned and got the role of Orphan Boy #2. She however got the lead role of Nancy (an unexpected but amazing accomplishment. My mom is truly my hero.) But I learned that I loved being a part of ensembles and singing in groups. I think that moment in the church as well as having to audition alone for Oliver, filled me with so much fear and anxiety. I wasn’t confident enough in my voice to showcase it. So I stuck with writing my poems and songs at home on the piano and kept them to myself. It wasn’t until high school that I felt more encouraged to share my songs. I had the pleasure of going to the same high school as the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill and Grammy Winner, SZA. My whole public school district advocated for the arts and for students to strive for a higher caliber of talent. As I developed my musical abilities, my friends encouraged me to share my songs with them. We formed a singing group where I had more opportunities to sing my songs as solo’s and with each performance I grew more confident. Soon enough I realized a calling within myself and I decided to shoot for the stars. I auditioned for Berklee College of Music in Boston and told myself, if I got in, I was going to go for any and every opportunity the school had to offer me. No More Hiding in the Background of the Choirs. I had to confidently take a step into the Spotlight. I’ve been singing Professionally for 7 years now as an Independent artist and have a lot of experience booking my own shows and taking lead on my artistry. I’ve performed at The Legendary S.O.B’s in New York City, Apollo Cafe in Harlem as well as opening up for R&B Icons, Jon B. and Vivian Green at South Orange Performing Arts Center in NJ. And everything has been a dream ever since. I most recently returned from my first ever tour, singing backgrounds for The Life and Music of George Michael North American tour which has been an absolutely blessing and mind altering experience. I cannot wait for what’s next!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I would say it’s connecting with people to the point that they feel they need to express how much I impacted them positively. Whether it’s at one of my live performances, or commenting on a video I made or someone who heard my song on a random Spotify playlist. I want people to feel as alive as I do when I sing my songs. I perform on stages because I have a newfound appreciation for what my voice can do when I’m confident. I have a passion for entertaining and for pushing myself to be less afraid of the spotlight. I love being the cause of getting people to come out to a show and feel good, have a good time, dance, jam; to feel all the benefits of just being. So when someone articulates that my music brings them joy and that they feel connected to the songs, it is so rewarding to hear. It allows me to see the positive ways my music impacts others. It’s a big part of why I do what I do.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think the best way to support an artist like me is showing up and sharing my music with people you love and think would appreciate. I think we forget how powerful word of mouth is in modern day society. My Dad and My mom and my entire family to this day will hand out flyers on the street, text or share about an upcoming show, or even speak to strangers in the grocery store to tell them about my music and my artistry. I can’t tell you how many people have messaged me on social media saying that they met my father in the store and he shared the link to my music with them and now they are a huge fan! It means something because it’s authentic. It’s real. That new fan now wants to go stream my music and catch me live and really get to connect with me. My family is my biggest support group and I’m so grateful for them and I’m so grateful for all they do for me. I think society would gain a lot from sharing things they like with that same sense of gratitude and community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://autumnjonesmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumnjonesmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helloautumnjones/?ref=bookmarks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-jones-a1272817b
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9opZblcs6SYsBHJCr8NOVQ/videos
Image Credits
Rob Magomero EJ Creative NYC LLC Jaizahn Jones La Vida Mia Photos