We recently connected with Jerome Vivino and have shared our conversation below.
Jerome, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Yes, I am quite happy as an artist – and I think I will be even happier when I eventually become a full-time one. However, being an artist in Austin these days normally means you pay your rent from other means besides your art. Gone are the days of the late 60s and 70s where an artist could truly afford to pursue their craft, only needing a part time job and a few roommates to afford a house and comfortable life. I came to terms with this very quickly once I moved here without any network, band, or job, and only two months of rent in my pocket. It has been quite a learning experience trying to balance the work vs art grind, and I’ve learned to listen to my heart. For my first 8 years here, I bounced around between plenty of part time ‘regular jobs’, if you consider the veterinary, restaurant, tourism, and retails fields to be normal. With each one, I would catch myself often dreaming of being somewhere else – usually on stage or performing in a studio. Those jobs were all temporary means to a financial end, yet my heart longed for something deeper. I am still making my way up the music totem pole to achieve financial independence from music. Currently, though, I’ve been enjoying my first salaried position and full-time office job – probably the most ‘regular’ job I’ve had to date. It’s great, but if it weren’t for my music and art, I would definitely be miserable. Working in an office for a corporate overlord pays the bills, but doesn’t give me a sense of purpose even remotely close to the extent my music does. Luckily, at the moment, I am able to do both. But I still long for the day I can use all of my waking energy towards my craft.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The best way to get to know me is to hear me play guitar. You’ll find me in my ‘flow state’ when I’m on stage ripping an improvised guitar solo with either of my two bands Space Trayn or Upper Level Lows. My latest passion project, Space Trayn, is my musical baby for which I do the singing, songwriting, guitar playing, and social media/business administration. Being a power trio, we like to describe the music as reminiscent of ‘Steely Dan meets Cream’. Upper Level Lows happens to have the same rhythm section, yet is headed by another principal songwriter, giving the music a more psychedelic and folksy flair, and I take on the role of lead guitarist and ethereal vibe creator.
Music is my life. I work a full-time office job in tech to support my dreams of being a professional, touring musician. I originally went to a prestigious business school to pursue my education in a field that would help me perpetuate the norm of where I came from in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Alas, my heart wasn’t in it, so I dropped out and eventually landed at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Little did I know, my eventual band mates in Austin were attending Berklee at the very same time, yet we never crossed paths until recently.
During each of our musical journeys, we faced countless hardships during our pursuit of the dream. Yet we persevere because we love what we do, what music does for us and our community, and have no other choice but to follow our hearts wherever they lead us.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
It basically all boils down to money. The state government needs to support the city, which needs to support the live music venues, so that they can in turn support the artists by paying them liveable wages. From an individual standpoint, the best thing one can do to support their favorite creatives is to go to their shows/events and buy their merch!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My ultimate goal is to have my art support my livelihood. My dream is to travel the world via my music. I would love to perform all over the globe and have my travel and life expenses paid for through those performances. Beyond that, I’m driven to create by necessity – I need to play music in order to be happy and have purpose. My goal is to create music that stands up to the test of time and makes people feel or learn something.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spacetrayn.wixsite.com/spacetraynepk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SpaceTrayn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceTrayn
Image Credits
1: Tarela Ekaye (@tarelaphphotography) 2-5: Alva Sim (@icnewthings)