We recently connected with Porshia J. and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Porshia, thanks for joining us 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 actually caught myself the other day reflecting on this month in awe that I get to sing for a living. It feels so regular to me that I can sometimes take it for granted. I always wonder what it would be like to work a 9 to 5 again, I think it will always be that, just a thought. I love what I get to do and how I get to express myself within multiple avenues of my creativity. I know this isn’t a reality for most artist to be full time, I’m grateful.
Porshia, 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?
My name is PorshiaJ and I’m a singer/songwriter based here in South Florida. My family is from the Caribbean, Haiti and Bahamas. My culture is everything to me, all we did growing up was sing and dance. It was my escape. I sing with a few corporate bands including my own “PJ&CO Band” top 40 R&B. We do events from Hardrock Guitar Hotel to even being featured in movies like “Bad Boys for Life”. I started taking singing seriously in middle school, did all the musicals in high school, and graduated with my Bachelors in college. I always knew I wanted to sing, create and be my own boss. Every time I touched the stage something inside of me lit up.
My brand is all about passion, hard-work, authenticity and joy. My job is to make people feel good and I love it. I can be leading worship, on set, at a gig wherever I am, I leave fulfilled. I think what sets me part is my personality. Sometimes I think I have more energy off stage than on. Also being confident in who I am and the talent God gifted me. I have some projects being released towards the end of the year, I’m nervous but so excited.
I am mostly proud of not giving up. Music is all I do, it’s my life and I recognize that not every artist/creative can rely on music alone. I made it my mission to be able to follow my dreams. No excuses. I know I make my family proud as well and that’s all I need.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Everyones winging it. I know that sounds impossible but it’s true. For some reason someone made us feel that the people at the top had this secret power that we couldn’t achieve, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Singing has allowed me to be in so many rooms, and I’ve learned so much. Specifically that networking and consistency is key. Whatever dream, goal, vision God put in your heart is yours. You’re the only one who can do it like you. Your process, your mind, your way is unique. And THATS what makes the people at the “top” so special. They stay consistent in their way.
Once I started applying that to my craft, I found my lane. Don’t get me wrong, hard work and dedication will always be apart of anything I do. But just realizing things aren’t as impossible as they seem really helped take the pressure off. Everyones just trynna make it.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
One of the biggest things I get with singing is people seeing it as a form of entertainment not a job. Is singing and performing fun, absolutely! But it’s also a job that requires a lot of preparation both physically and mentally. So many hours of unseen preparation, having to stay in shape, protecting my voice ,rehearsals. My job relies on opinions and that can be really tough. One thing that musicians get a lot of heat about is our sleep schedule. I think its funny now, but we get judged because were still in bed at noon. Everyone’s job is different. Gigs usually start in the evenings, so often times were up so late we see the sun rise. It’s not for everyone, but for me personally, I was made for it.
Staying in shape, rehearsing, being on top of my game is solely based off of how seriously I take myself. I am my boss, and that can be tricky. It’s a lot easier to do things when you have to report to someone. It’s also really easy to slip when you don’t have anyone to report to. In this industry you have to fight for balance. It’s easy to get caught up in the shows, events and parties, but I like to remind myself of all the behind the scene work it takes to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: porshiaj.com
- Instagram: iamporshiaj
- Facebook: Porshia J
Image Credits
@sheagordon76 @amanlexidor @dxugan