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

Christoph, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I got started as an artist and performer with little preparation. As soon as I learned a few chords on guitar with a couple of my first original semi complete songs in hand, I immediately submerged myself into the open mic scene performing for hundreds of people a night. I embraced my enthusiasm and excitement for creativity and used it as an ignorant confidence which worked in my favor because I was so blinded by passion I was unafraid to fail.

Some nights I bombed. Some nights I got a standing ovation. I was risking embarrassment and anxiety every night.

It didn’t matter. The songs were being heard. I was feeling the monumental power of connecting with others through music.

It felt like more of a risk to not go out there and share these ideas I had with people than to keep them to myself out of fear of not being ready or good enough. Regardless of how new, raw or even unfinished my songs were I needed people to hear them.

I’ve consistently operated this way. Early in my career I explored making music with instruments like marimba and xylophone purely because it was exciting to me. People around me considered this risky because it wasn’t the type of instrumentation typically heard in the punk scene that I was born into. A few years later I expanded my songwriting to incorporate drums, bass and electric guitar which again was considered a risk by others because at this point it was a different sound then what I was beginning to become known for. Eventually I ditched xylophone and embraced keyboards and from there I explored techno and house influences all the while making a conscious effort to expose more of my insecurities and reveal myself more intimately with every lyric I wrote.

The more risks I have taken the more rewards I come away with.

I refuse to make choices based out of fear and follow what excites me despite the risk and it always delivers me to the most fulfilling destinations. When anxiety creeps in as it naturally will do when one steps away from the comfort zone, I always remind myself how much better it feels to stay true to myself and what I am passionate about rather then avoid it out of fear.

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?

I’ve always been creating something. Early on it was characters. I would act out different personas and perform their stories elaborately in our basement, usually just for an audience of my 2 siblings. Sometimes recruiting them both into the performances with me. I was devoutly drawing as well. Cartoons and comic strips mostly. I got into painting and sculptures and even cooking all before high school. Any expressive channel discovered I embraced with love.

I would passionately sing along to Christmas CD’s front to back, memorizing every word and spastically dancing and hurling myself all through the house performing what I considered to be shows for my whole family.

Once I got my hands a few of my own CD’s featuring some current artists, I obsessed over music. I had The Grammys nominee compilation, Batman Forever soundtrack and “Jagged Little Pill” by Alanis Morissette given to me as gifts.
I worshiped these albums. Not too long after this I purchased my first album with my own money for myself. “When Disaster Strikes…” by Busta Rhymes.

From here, my obsession became dedication. As a kid who grew up shy and so often feeling it difficult to articulate my thoughts, emotions and needs to others, music became my most accurate communicator. I could get my point across way more potently via lyrics sung rather than words spoken.

The communication barrier resulted in a poor grades and worse behavior in my school environment. My artistic strengths were discouraged and my educational needs were ignored. Naturally when I found punk music it became the perfect nourishment my spirit was looking for. The rebellious energy and inspirational individuality was everything I needed.
This continues to vitalize me in a massive way today.

My introduction into the industry was something more like a crashing the party type moment in the sense that I simply poured myself into multiple scenes with no experience or knowledge on how you are supposed to do things.

I arrived with urgency and an essential demand for conversation.

I showed up at open mics, performed at punk squats, house shows, freestyled at hip hop nights and sang at venues and clubs of all sizes. Sometimes alone with a guitar, sometimes with a band, sometimes A cappella. This flexibility lead me to opportunities that opened up doors for me to tour the world.

I would say with confidence that what I provide to everyone is an authentic invitation into a conversation with me and an encouragement to others to start their own conversations as well. I truly cherish the culture of art and what it continues to bring to my life along with the guidance towards understanding what it is to be alive.

The more often people have faith in their genuine selves and summon the bravery to share it with the world, the more vibrant the spirit of art becomes. This inspires empathy, understanding and harmony for us all.

I believe everyone is a creator and stepping into this role is something we all have the power to do. The more of us who embrace this the more rad of a place the world becomes.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I lost my Dad days before a 6 week tour. I had friends leave and quit the group when we got home from that tour. I have had people come and go multiple times throughout my journey. Almost every time these were people I invited into my personal world in a very intimate way.

Having dedication to the thing regardless of the circumstances has been the most valuable power. Whatever the thing may be, weather that be art, self care, relationships etc I have operated with the understanding that me putting the maximum amount of love, intention, passion and commitment even if i can’t see the result yet is the key to eventually enjoying the reward of that result. I always get there. Wherever there may be, it could look a bit different than what you had in mind and the paths that lead you there may be unexpected but it will be as rewarding as you imagined it you stay committed to yourself and embody faith on a cellular level.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Encouraging people. I answer every single message I get from supporters. Every story someone shares with me about how a song of mine inspired them or helped them through a dark time in their life is cherished and I don’t take it for granted.

The bigger the music becomes and the further it reaches, the more messages I get and the more people I meet in real life. Me inspiring others comes right back to me and inspires me again and its pretty much the greatest thing you could want.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crazyandthebrains.net
• Instagram: @crazyandthebrains
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crazyandthebrains
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrazyTheBrains

Image Credits
1. Jeanette Moses 2. Dance Floor Murder