Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jovan Landry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jovan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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)
A bittersweet investment in my craft was going to college. Looking back, I don’t think I utilized all the resources that would have helped me climb to the top regarding my career. What I mean by that, is I think about internships that would have led me to a full-time job, putting myself out there regarding collaborations and developing a team as we are less about making ends meet, and things like that. However, I can’t change a thing because I did make some connections and collaborations that allowed me to do some creative opportunities travel, and push my skills in ways I couldn’t imagine.
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 am a Chicago-based creative and my work is centered around film/video, photography, and music. I have the nickname “1/3 filmmaker, 1/3 photographer, and 1/3 emcee” which I self-proclaimed as these three fields speak to me the most creatively. I’ve been in this craft since 2008, but professionally since 2012. I’ve always had a creative spirit, from drawing, taking TV Production classes, and being a part of the Stage Crew in High School. A lot of work that I do from a filmmaker and photographer standpoint is documentation (of an event, behind the scenes of a production, or performance) music videos, and social media content. On the music side, I am a hip-hop recording artist, producer, and percussionist. Musically I shine most as I can share my experiences directly, Film/photo-wise, I am bringing one’s creative vision and process to life, through my perspective and expertise as a storyteller.
Outside the creative realm, I enjoy working out, cooking, spending time with my fur baby, and traveling.
I am most proud of creating my album “Synergy” released in 2019, which was the first all-women produced, performed, and engineered Hip-Hop album featuring only women/femme creatives based in Chicago. One of the biggest productions of my product that I’ve worked on to date which pushed me into the realm of Executive Production and reeled in over 50 women/femme artists together to make an album and all that comes to making and promoting an album. It is available on all streaming platforms and for purchase on my website, jovanlandry.com
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Not that I didn’t know about them, but grants. If I would have applied for grants and residencies that would afford me opportunity to explore my work on a deeper level and in a new environment, that would have helped inform my process when creating.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The fact that I can channel any emotion through my art. Especially music. I don’t know who or what I’ll be without it. It’s also rewarding to make a living off of my work, which I am so grateful for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jovanlandry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlesliemonique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlesliemonique
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/jovanlandry
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jlesliemonique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/onethirdemcee
- Other: Bandcamp: https://www.jovanlandry.bandcamp.com Other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/jlesliemonique
Image Credits
Images by AO Studios, Cris Catson, Images by Chioma, Golden LYT Photography, Grace Pisula, Molly, and Alex Hazel