We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Curtis Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Curtis below.
Curtis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
Around October/september 2022 had just gotten my new place open concept and was well on to creating new music back in my own space. Later 2023 around the summer time I called myself trying to be more inclusive with family and other colleagues who I’ve connected with from music. Well that didn’t work out the best for me, I ended up with a broken Mac book which ultimately kinda had me a little depressed and down and out because I’m being told I may lose everything “music” mainly all I was worried about. But I ended up moving out my place, computer half way working but I was luckily able to return back to bank rose production studios my home away from home.
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?
Everything stemmed from a baby dancing to Micheal, Prince etc., to being in elementary being in band playing snare and trumpet to being in middle school plays as “Curtis” in dream girls. Middle school I discovered I whole heartedly loved using my voice, so I joined choir sung tenor and performed with colleagues who helped get us several state choir championships as “kids”. After middle school made a quick transition to sports, but never let music go. I started producing in high school, along with writing poetry heavy which ultimately helped me with writing songs in the long run. After high school, that’s when the fun started, I interned with a label who is known as “Liv the music group” in Detroit at the time were located in harmony park where many of the greats had created at one point. From there I interned and worked at several studios, mix one studios being mentored by I.V Duncan, and what is now known as the artist compound in Southfield, MI formally known as nocturnal studios. A lot of my artist etiquette comes from working under the engineers Quentin dennard and Smurf at LIV and being coached by I.V at mix one. Using the engineer and studio etiquette helped me figure out what type of artist I wanted to be along with finding my sound. A lot of artist have the same talent I have same resources but the will power and willfulness I possess is what sets me apart from a lot of other artist, I’m not just an “artist” I bring more than just me to a table.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Peace, peace to be whoever and whatever I want when I am in the element even outside of it. I choose to be authentic which may not be the same response for a lot of others that may say they’re authentic but don’t do anything authentic.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
It happens every year, it’s business. Sometimes artist are not financially in a pocket to record, which sometimes are a lot of artist who are funding themselves and it ultimately falls on the business to keep afloat. When that happens it kind of gives creatives a room to be more creative to bring in revenue, like doing raffles for beats or studio time or just simply giving back to artist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xc2media?igsh=MXVvamplMDRuM2Rtbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xDCMC?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://x.com/dontcallme_curt?s=21
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dontcallmecurt?si=pwxtmQJOMhGEuY6V
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/jCnBENWj5w5Mc5c4A
Image Credits
We fam live (atl)
Crowdfreak showcase
Sada baby & big jungle bankrose studios platinum room