We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonathan Hayes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonathan below.
Jonathan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
As I’ve grown older and more experienced I’ve come to realize that my time and mental health is more valuable than money. Younger me, from back when I was sleeping on a pile of dirty clothes with no furniture might disagree, but it’s the conlcusion I’ve ultimately landed on. I haven’t had many terrible financial investments, at least as it pertains to my art. Not having money meant spending hours combing through catalogs, watching YouTube videos, or really any sort of information I could find relating to whatever it was I needed. Often, months would pass between the point that I needed something and when I obtained it. So, I can’t stress this enough, research what you need. Find as many viable alternatives as you can, and basically put yourself in a position where you can give a presentation on what you need, why, how it works, what other options are available, on why any particular choice is the right one. It has the added benefit of teaching you how to get the most of out what you have as well. Just a few weeks ago my band was doing a sound-check prior to a show and there were issues. There are always issues! However, unless somethign is absolutely destroyed, it can be fixed. In this particular case the problem was fixed immediately through some quick thinking and troubleshooting. The engineer, apparently impressed, said something like, “Wow, you really know your setup!” I hadn’t really thought about it before, but I was suddenly filled with more pride than if I had succefully pulled off a difficult solo in front of a packed room. So, I guess I’ve been fortunate enough to not have a ton of terrible investments. I think having modest means for years taught me that money will come and go. If you’re not saving time with an investment, if you’re not taking the time to truly understand concepts, then you’re bound to waste more of both. So invest time. With time comes money. With time comes knowledge. I feel like that’s where it all starts.
Jonathan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a musician and front a Columbus, Ohio band called Easy Tiger. I play all the rock=band instruments, but stick to guitar, vocals, and some keys here and there with the band. I’ve always loved music. When I was a little kid I would make fake pianos out of my building blocks and pretend to play along with my parent’s favorite records. I’d even get the neighborhood kids involved when I could! I played in a band in high school as well, but that took a bit of a detour when I went off to college and enlisted in the Air Force soon after. When I left the military, the first thing I did was book a show. I didn’t have a band. I didn’t even know anyone hardly. But I made it happen, and I’ve been making it happen ever since. Art is terrible thing to sell, especially if you’re the one trying to sell it. I’d rather play shows for free, give away our merch and music, and somehow get by. It’s just not realistic, not for my goals. I saw Nine Inch Nails in 1999 at the local arena, and it blew my mind. This was before LED screens and video walls were as common as they are today. The level of production was just beyond what I thought was possible. It kind of ruined concerts for me a little bit, becase I just can’t get into it if the production value isn’t top notch. That being said, I’ve spent the last 8 years or so building out own DIY lighting rig. I say that, and think people have this picture in their heads of mostly broke gear hanging from broom stick by some duct tape, but it’s a seriously legitimate set up. On the side, I rent it out, and have put thousands of dollars into it. It’s programmed down to every last beat of ever song we have, so completely automated. So, I’d like to think what sets us apart is the music, but just in case that’s not enough we have a light show that will blow your mind!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One of my favorite movies growing up was “Almost Famous,” the Cameron Crowe pseudo-biopic about his time as an underaged music journalist for Rolling Stone. If you haven’t seen it, it’s full of amazing little stories and anecdotes. Is it all true? Who cares? I definitely believed it was and, you know, it’s really is. I know it so terribly cliche, but if one person comes up to me after a show and tells me they had a great time, or that they really enjoyed a particular song, it absolutley makes my night. Just the other day we were playing a show and I was depressed over the other 99% of being an aertist. You know, the marketing, the graphic design, the emails. Dear God, the emails! It’s an awful lot for one person, and I want to just start crying and quit. But I played the show anyway. Fast forward to 3am and I’m loading gear out the back of the vnue and it start raning, a cold bitter rain. I can’t put into words the hopelessness I felt in that moment, but just the door guy came out carrying some gear, then another staff member, then a patron. Soon there were several people helping me. I hadn’t asked, they just took it upon themselves. As much as I can’t describe the hopelessness of that night, I similarly can’t put into words the magic I felt when people started pitching in. It’s talking to the sound guy about our common battles, and occassional victories. It’s talking to a venue owner who put their sweat and blood into the stage you’re about to take over. It’s definitely the support of others, that feeling that you belong to someone, or that whatever it is that took so long to put into words and music actually makes sense to another person. I don’t how fleeting those moments are on the other end, but to me they’re priceless!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Clearly, society here in the United States could do a bit more to foster the artistic growth of its creatives, but… we live in society that’s basically sold garbage day-in-day-out. Society, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t just gonna wake up and realize they’ve wasted their time and money on the Kardashians. In the sense, the only society that matters to me is other creatives. I certainly went out and saw more shows prior to Covid, but I still see a fiar amount. I go to local community festivals, find other creatives I enjoy and support them. I can’t stress this enough. As a creative, if you only do one thing, do this. Support each other. You’re nothing without the support of others, and others are nothing without the support of you. If you wish to take part, or benefit from, a local scene… you better be giving back to it. Over the years I’ve even made it a rule. If I don’t see you out in the community working hard for yourself and supporting others, you don’t need my help… and, frankly, I’d rather give my support to those who are living their creative lives on fire. Like a mad dash to better yourself and lift up those around you. So, go to shows. Goto that arts festival your city puts on, and buy a $10 print from someone. If you can’t afford it, donate plasma. Sell something. Do whatever it is you need to do to show your support. find something you like, and find a way to share it. It will come back around, I promise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://easytiger.live
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/easytigerband
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/easytigermusicandlight
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@easytigermusicandlight
Image Credits
I included the photographers in the file names, but they’re Jacquie Sanborn (independent), and Kayla Kreller (Blazing Chakrams Photography)