We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thelonious Love. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thelonious below.

Hi Thelonious, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My last album, Love Me Naught, is such a raw and insightful body of work. We were still deep inside the pandemic. I was fresh out of a toxic 4 year relationship. I was struggling with alcohol abuse. Dealing with my own racial trauma. I had a lot to heal. Writing and recording that album was my safe space to process. There was a lot I needed to change about my behavior at that time too. A lot of things I had to confront. Not to mention I was really hurt by the way the relationship ended. Once I moved into a safe space, these songs poured out of me. I meant every word of that shit! I had to rediscover who I was on my own and learn to love that person. I had to forgive myself. I started working towards who I wanted to be and this album takes you through that evolution. It was hard work but I am all the better for it now. You can love me or love me not. I’m gonna love me with all I got.

Thelonious, 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 Thelonious Love. I’m an artist & activist based in Austin, Texas. By day, I teach at a Middle School. Education has always been important to me. I had amazing teachers growing up that encouraged creativity & the arts. Now, I’m an advocate for artists and creative spaces. I work with HAAM(Health Alliance for Austin Musicians), ATX Musicians, DAWA(Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action), and the Sims Foundation to provide resources for artists and creatives. My own music carries that same energy. I’m fighting for all us. My lyrics touch on social justice issues, effective activism, relationships, queer & black identity, mental health & substance abuse, spirituality, self empowerment, and the occasional internet trolls. I’m supported by my amazing band and a team of creatives who I work with to bring the show to life. You don’t have to know our music. Come to our show and we’ll bring the rockstar energy to Hip-Hop.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

We need to protect creative spaces, support the fine arts in education, & require equitable pay for artists. Too often creatives lose spaces that historically showcase music and art. Venues should be given tax incentives to showcase music and art. Grant funding can be provided for venues and artists alike to maintain the culture of a city. We need to encourage music and arts in our schools. We can teach our children how to express themselves in productive ways through creativity and allowing diversity. The music and art in a city should reflect the people of the city. Too often black and brown artists are left out of spaces that they’re historically tied to. LGBTQIA+ Artists need safe spaces to simply exist and express themselves. These are all things I have scene firsthand in Austin. My team and I work with the city, nonprofits, small businesses, and other artists in Austin to help preserve & expand its rich music culture. The artists and the creatives must have a seat at the table when it comes to economic development.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Love. That’s the mission. Building community. Creating fun, diverse spaces that are safe and have value to the community. We can all be that space to someone else. We’re here to spread joy and help people feel seen. In the classroom, I’m showing my kids everyday what it is to be a kind and compassionate person. They see me with all my gold jewelry and blonde hair. They’ve heard my music. They know what’s up! I’m showing them what it is to be confident, unique, and kind. I bring that same energy with me to the stage. It’s all love!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theolove.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloniouslove/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloniousloveofficial/
• Twitter: https://x.com/theloniouslove
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JurntEntertainment
• Other: https://linktr.ee/theolove88

Image Credits

Makeup by Jonathan Krugman
Photography by Austin Mesch