We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaime Barcelon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jaime thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I view my journey stepping back into music in the last year as a meaningful project in itself. My journey as a creative began in music- this was the entry point into every facet of the arts that I’m involved with now. There was a time when, without meaning to, music took the backseat for years. In the pandemic era, once the world started to open up, a series of serendipitous events led me to return to singing once more. All of these culminated in getting in the studio to put music together and share with everyone. I recorded a song that was just released on streaming platforms this February 2024 called “Timeless.” My vision for the song was an homage to the authentic, classic sound reminiscent of artists from 70’s and 80’s. This sound has survived the decades and I believe it’s because the melodies from that time are undeniable and the lyrics poignant.
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 am a Los Angeles based actor and vocalist. Growing up in Manila, I was immersed in so much music- everyone the country is musical and there is an abundance of amazing singers. Working with a singing group extensively throughout college and working with numerous theater companies in Manila was such a great training opportunity for me being around such talent. It was also very challenging at times but I would not have had it any other way because it prepared me for coming to the industry in LA and life in general. I can see now how the hard times had a purpose and I had to dig deep and find strength to keep going and pursuing what I love.
Have you ever had to pivot?
The biggest pivot for me came in the form of a mindset shift. Earlier on, I would put success and accomplishments on a timeline. If I didn’t arrive at a set goal by a certain time I had given myself- I would find myself defeated and discouraged. Coming back into making music again after so long, I have a much stronger sense of gratitude even getting the second chance to sing again. This has helped me realize that while I still have big aspirations for myself, the idea of time for me has evolved. I now place more value in doing what I can to ensure that I can stay in this business for the long run with the goal of being a part of meaninful projects that resonate for years to come. Another pivot that I’ve experienced is creating opportunities for myself- that came with my first LA solo show that I staged last year and now with the release of “Timeless.”
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
While of course the work has been so rewarding, the people I’ve met along the way have been wonderful. I came across a photo from 17 years ago and it was a backstage photo of my friends and I in a school musical. I forgot that we had known each other for that long. The photo made me feel so nostalgic- we were so young and that was truly a much simpler time! As much as things have changed- they’re still very much in my life. In a recent trip to New York City, I was able to see friends from the Philippine theater community. We’re all in such different paths now, but we all came together to support one of group’s Broadway debut. It was such a special night. While in NYC, I also caught up with friends I’ve made through this industry- whether in the Los Angeles community or even in a singing competition I did in Savannah, Georgia. Projects come and go, but the connections live on.
Contact Info:
- Website: jaimebarcelon.com
- Instagram: @jaimebarcelon