We recently connected with Jastin Artis and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jastin, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The most recent risk I took was in the summer of 2019 after losing my job that I resigned from and losing my son at 22 weeks – all at the same time.

So, it’s March 2019 and I started a new job as a project manager and editor. After doing a great job after six months they wanted me to continue and offered me another six-month contract. I was thrilled and very excited because I’m thinking I’m finally able to continue a contract for the long term.

At the time, my girlfriend, at the time, and I were expecting our song. It was a tough trimester because she was high-risk. But she was doing well and our son was doing well.

Well, one night, days after having a successful doctor visit for her and the baby, she had extreme complications. To save her our son had to be born knowing he would not live long. He lived for about an hour and a half.

I took a few weeks to grieve from work. The week before returning to work my job let me go saying, “We understand this isn’t the best time, but our business needs have changed, and we have to let you go.”

It took a day or so to gather myself. But I was back to interviewing but I wasn’t landing the job. The interviews were going well, and I received great feedback, however, I couldn’t land the job. Thus, in July 2019 I decided to fully bet on myself and my skills in music.

I was tired of being tired. For years, I worked 40 hours for someone else and then would do another 40 crafting my skills and business in the music industry. I was hesitant to take the risk because I was still living at home, gathering myself from a previous divorce, and taking such a risk wasn’t well received as I’d hoped by my family. At this point, I couldn’t allow someone else’s feelings to stop me from doing what I saw worked, was well received, and would allow me the control I needed and desired.

That was four years ago! And though it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been exactly what I needed. Furthermore, more recently, I took another risk to step away from the traditional methods of being an artist and stepped in to be a Speaker Musician.

Taking a risk is necessary if you want the wealth, time, and impact you seek at the highest level. Plus, you have to bet on yourself despite who says what and how long it takes.

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.

It started before I knew it did. Band geek – poetry – then as a senior, “Stairway to Heaven” inspired me to play guitar. In my first year in college, I taught myself how to play guitar and after a few months, I began to write songs. After that feeling of learning the process of writing songs, I went to the library and studied songwriting and the music business. Since that moment in 2001, I haven’t looked back.

I’ve grown by doing the work, crafting, staying up late, being disciplined, and being focused to be where I am. And with healthy validation, now, I get paid for what I create and what I know. And that keeps me going every day.

In 2023, my focus is maximizing my skills and creativity as a creative executive. There are a few areas I focus on now:

Keynote Concerts – As a speaker musician I speak at events to an audience in the academic, corporate, seminar, or association markets engaging on topics about leadership and the art of resilience and perseverance.

A&R IN YOUR POCKET – This is where I use my love for teaching and artist development. I’ve created a service that provides artists with their own A&R while using my independent network of music professionals from producers to social media managers.

There are two sides: subscription model for 6 months artists will receive monthly hours with me to discuss their music, strategies, and mindset to release a project. The goal is to coach the artist where they are while providing services from one of the tiers they select for specific services that include music review, digital web copy, music production, sync placement support, and more.

The second focuses on supporting the artist with their project in a more service outlook. For example, if they want to create an album by choosing A&R IN YOUR POCKET they’ll have an A&R and full access to my independent professionals to produce their album and their release. Of course, I’ll only provide what they need such as music production but if they have their own engineer that’s fine.

The mission is to let artists know artist development is necessary and that you don’t have to be signed to receive the highest level of support.

Sync Licensing – I’ve been active in sync licensing for about three years writing and submitting to briefs, working with micro-sync libraries, and having representation from a sync agent.

Custom Songs – Clients can order custom song(s) as gifts, for events, or company/program initiatives such as corporate events, birthdays, Mother’s Day, weddings, etc.

Klatch – I am a facilitator teaching about artist development and leadership, and providing an affordable place for artists to grow and get the support they need without being on a label.

I hope people understand I’m genuine and want to always give my best in the service and knowledge I give. I want to achieve wealth and impact by following my purpose being the bridge to where you want to be. I am proud I’m still alive to attempt to reach everything God wants me to achieve and more. Yes, it gets difficult but – I’m not going anywhere.

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

Early on in my music career, a time before Google, YouTube, and social media, I was taught and researched the traditional way to make it as an artist. That’s pressing CDs, trying to find the right person to know, moving to a music-centered city, performing for little to no pay, etc.

Fortunately, I learned early that I wouldn’t follow that script exactly. I created my own opportunities that were a bit different from the normal.

Now, in 2023 I’m absolutely ready to build the new standard of what a successful artist looks like that doesn’t have a million followers, a Grammy, or a million fans. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not easy, and it takes a strong mindset to go against the grain but there are many that do and are hugely successful.

I want artists to learn the music business now and can be whatever they want it to be without following the ways of the old. Relearn what a successful artist can look like in 2023 and it doesn’t have to include being a celebrity artist.

I think the more artists can unlearn the old ways and concepts the more productive they can be and how we can create a new standard for the music business.

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

Honestly, the story is still being written. My entire life and career pursuing music is nothing but a grand illustration of resilience and perseverance. I was born breech, feet first. That always gives me chills because it means many things but one, I’m ready to start the journey and there’s a purpose for me to be here.

Thinking about dropping out of school because of my health but returning to finish, or to pursue my master’s though there was a time I didn’t want to obtain one; being alienated from my son; being revived during a surgery I’ve had two times before with no issues; catching cancerous polyps before potentially getting cancer; living more intently and purposefully after losing my son; finding my place in music though I don’t sound or operate like many in my genre; I mean the list goes on.

These moments are nothing but resilience because no matter what gets thrown my way I do a few things to press forward. I feel it. I understand my feelings and emotions but I don’t stay in them. Then I think about how I can pivot whether that’s letting go of relationships or things, or mindsets, gaining new perspectives on how to move forward, and then, taking stock in all the good.

So, I know there will be more opportunities to be resilient and I embrace it.   

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jastinartis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jastinartis
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jastinartis
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jabatts
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jastinartis
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jastinartis
• Other: Book for Keynote Concerts: https://jastinartis.com/keynote-concerts Book for Mixing/Mastering; https://www.engineears.com/jastinartis

Image Credits
Tina Kent QT Photography Jream Factory Hawa-Maya Photography