We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elyse Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elyse below.

Elyse, appreciate you joining us 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 the most important difference between a “regular” job and a career that centers around creativity is that most of the time, the artist can’t exist in anything other than the creative realm. There is something so deep and so inherent within them that they must create.

My job comes with ups and downs. As an independent contractor, I have the freedom to create my own schedule. I can accept or turn down any gig or project that is offered to me, which allows me to schedule and plan exactly as I please. The downside of being an independent contractor is that my income is never consistent. Some months require much more planning, if gigs are more seldom in certain months.

The uncertainty of gigs & money is probably the biggest stressor of being a creator. If anything, it requires you to be innovative and highly motivated, and to be flexible enough to get a multitude of gigs that each require different skills. For me, I make the most amount of money as a wedding singer, but I also acquire income through: being a bandleader, booking gigs for events, recording vocals for other artists, playing instruments, editing videos, and building websites, to name a few. I’ve also held other odd jobs such as bartending, marketing, dancing, and modeling.

This lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Another thing to keep in mind about being an independent contractor is that we don’t have an employer, so we don’t get benefits like a 401k or health insurance. Luckily, I have Medicaid and I have a healthy Roth IRA (if you’re an independent contractor, you should get one!). This career is also about constantly figuring it out. It isn’t always easy making enough money to pay all my bills per month—student loans are the worst—and still coming out with your head above water. This is why you see a lot of musicians constantly working. There is definitely a grind mentality that you need to have to be able to support yourself (and in some cases, family, too).

The benefits of being an artist outweigh the negatives every time. If they didn’t, I would have quit. I mean, I get paid to party with people on a Saturday night. I get paid to express myself. I get paid to move people in the same way that I was moved by music in my youth. How cool is that? I also love the freedom of my schedule. Typically, the weekdays for me are completely moldeable. I usually spend them writing music, recording, practicing instruments, or going out to shows. All of these are a part of honing my craft. Every skill that I practice and continue acquiring leads me to more opportunities. But, if it’s a beautiful sunny day and I want to take the day off to go to the beach and relax, I can. I don’t have to ask my boss, I don’t need to request time off, I can just go.

Creativity requires space, so much of the creative process is making the time and space to create. Artists thrive in these spaces, and it’s where our best ideas come from. Creating also requires courage. Much of what comes from an artist is from a vulnerable place. We express ourselves through our art, which isn’t always easy to share. My motto is this: It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. The art that we create is invaluable, and the ability to share our art is of the utmost importance. The impact we leave on others lives through experiences and emotions is absolutely essential.

In conclusion, if you are a person that likes the security of a salary, or the benefits of a full time job, then this is not the career path for you. But if you exude creativity, enjoy the freedom of crafting your own schedule, and have a great amount of self-motivation and a carefully meditated hustle attitude, then go and make creating your life. :)

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Elyse Jones, and I am a full time musician, singer, and writer. I started my music career by getting Bachelor of Music from McNally Smith College of Music in 2013, and have been gigging and working in music ever since.

Services I provide in my career are singing for private events, gigging at venues, recording vocals, writing music, playing instruments, building websites & social media, bandleading, and much more.

I believe in the power of music and have a focus on the community at large. Much of my music centers around social justice, women’s rights, and mental health. I also believe in the power that music has to join people together, to have fun and let loose.

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

I graduated from McNally Smith College of Music in 2013. I had earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a minor in Songwriting all before I had turned 21. To me, that was an impressive feat. To go through a 4 year degree in under three years, and all before I could legally go to a bar to see my friends’ shows.

What I didn’t realize about going to college was that I would be in 100k worth of debt. Yes, you heard that correctly. $100,000. I didn’t know what that meant. Like many other millennials, I had gone to college and taken out the student loans because that’s just what you did. All the generations before had done it, so why shouldn’t we?

Being freshly 21 with a massive amount of debt and a music degree was tough. I got a job serving tables. I got a job singing for private events. I got a second serving job. I got a third serving job. I spent all my time figuring out how to adult while nonstop working to keep myself afloat.

One thing that creativity requires is space. When you’re working a multitude of jobs and worrying about your paychecks every month, the last thing you have time for is creativity. I spent the entirety of my 20’s figuring out how to make enough money. If anything is a killer of creativity, it’s that.

Despite what I had worried about, it did get easier. As I gained more skills, I found jobs that paid more. The lockdown hit when I was 27. Unemployment for the state of Louisiana wasn’t even enough to cover rent. So, I had to get creative. Out of survival, I started hustling. I put my nose to the grindstone and worked, worked, worked. I decided that I was going to make my way out of debt so I could finally breathe.

My goal was to get out of debt by age 30. And hallelujah, I did it.

Was it worth the experience? No. I wouldn’t wish that amount of debt on anyone, especially a young person just trying to get on their feet. Did I learn anything from the experience? Yes; I learned how far I can push myself. I learned the value of hard work. But I also hold the belief that human’s don’t exist for the sole purpose of work.

I spent a decade producing quite a lot. I do take that ethic into my art, as I continue to write, play, create. My advice to young people is to consider the long term effects of something as serious as loans. Get creative about streams of income. Be smart and have fun creating.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal with music is centered around social justice, women’s rights, and mental health.

Gospel music was the gateway into a career in music. It made me realize how music can transcend and move people. The combination of harmonic dissonance and movement with a lyrical story can make a person feel all kinds of emotion. It has the power to heal.

The music I love comes in the form of seeking revolution for oppressed or underprivileged groups. In my life, this centers around POC, women, and LGBTQ+. I am consistently surrounded by these groups, and I see how people who exist in the intersections of these identities are treated by society. Music can motivate. Music can bring people together. Music can spread love and tolerance. Music can celebrate.

A huge part of my identity centers around mental health. I’ve lived with chronic depression for the majority of my life. I also struggle with anxiety. Navigating the world with any mental illness or condition is a challenge. This is a huge reason that I am a musician. Music has saved my life. So much of what motivates me to keep writing is to help others who are struggling. So often we feel alone, and the good news is that we’re not. Many of our struggles are universal. We’re human, and we often don’t realize that our neighbor may be going through the same thing. Music can meet people with a humongous amount of compassion, as we all continue to lend a hand to those in need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elysejones.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms.elyse.jones/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elysejonesmusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@elysejones

Image Credits
-Carla Hager-Hains -Rubens de Mello -Brad Matala