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

Garrett, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Before I was able to make the jump to full-time creative, I was working here in Austin, Tx as a backline technician for tour acts. The company I worked for rented music equipment out to artists/bands across Texas. I would test and prepare amps/keyboards/drums for hours a day, then go deliver and maintain the equipment on site for the shows. I got to work with some incredible bands and it was a very comfortable way to make a living but I would often wonder whether or not I was just the guy who brought the real artists their equipment.

Once March 2020 came around, suddenly there were no shows to deliver equipment to and I got laid off of work. I quickly had to get creative on how I was going to make a living from home so I started live streaming performances on Twitch. As soon as things began to open up, I started shopping my live Twitch type set to small breweries and venues and found I could easily make as much doing that on the side as I was working for the backline company.

The amount of freedom in the day that being a full time creative provides is second to none. I am able to wake up in the morning when I am the absolute sharpest and hit my home studio to find new and exciting sounds. I am free to collaborate and take opportunities at the drop of a hat now instead of going through the usual monthly notice to request time off.

I have however found it to be a double edged sword because no one is going to find work for me. I have to constantly keep my foot on the gas to stay booked up and actively searching for those next steps in my career but I love being my own boss. I know that the harder I work and the more I create, the more fulfilled I become. Only I get to reap the benefits.

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.

I was born and raised in the very interesting town of Panama City, Florida. I started making music in the school band in the 6th grade playing percussion before I started picking up guitars with friends in the 8th. I soon found no greater joy than writing and collaborating with others throughout high school and college, playing in such bands as Jam Therapy and the Matters. After moving out to Austin, Tx I recorded a few albums with The Matters before we had to split due to the pandemic. It was a real shakeup.

After developing a solo show, it didn’t take long before I got the itch to collaborate and share ideas with others, so I reached out to everyone within arms reach and started to help write, produce, mix, and perform with them in any way possible. I’ve collaborated with the likes of Britny Lobas, BLK ODYSSY, Teetle Jizzle, Ruby Dice, Madam Radar, and Virginia Louise.

I love bringing out the best in those I work with because that’s what brings the best out of me. Making love to yourself is fun, but making love with someone you admire is as good as it gets.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Voting on a ballot is cool, but voting with your money is cooler.

As the industry has moved towards streaming platforms and record sales have become a thing of the past, it is more important that ever to buy tickets, merch and make donations to the artists you like. It’s the best way to make sure the music you love keeps getting made.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I used to live with my bandmates on our own little island. We strictly wrote together and only went to shows that we played. I later found out how unhelpful that behavior was.

Being a musician isn’t like sports. The competition is all in your head and there is no scoreboard.

Creating with others and supporting those around you is the quickest way to find both inspiration and opportunity.

As soon as I changed my mindset, doors began flying open.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.garrettjaybrown.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/garrettjaybrown
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTLRUITI9CKF6GM_EPISaZg
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qx5r5qXJ4Ci1rntAJ4gML?si=-blvc2TTSpSKSVLbRif57g