In this interview spotlight, I chat with Nashville based Jeremy Parsons. We discuss the newest project, challenges, motivations and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
We have featured Jeremy before. You can find those articles here and here.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I currently live in Nashville, TN but was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. My favorite genre of music and the music I create is Americana. It’s my favorite place to go as a writer and a listener. I love the honesty and the substance that comes out and across on every record. There seems to be fewer guidelines and rules too as far as creation goes. It’s freedom of expression.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I chose the path of music over the rebellious streak my friends were running. Instead of hanging out with them or worrying about being popular I turned to music as it had always been there for me. I had an older guitar that was just sitting around so I started noodling on it until noodling turned into actual playing. The noise became sound. I would eventually start writing and it’s still one of my favorite and one of the most necessary things for me to do. I keep keeping at it because it continues to make me happy. You could say the thing that motivates me to keep going is the thing that motivated me to start, I do what I love and I love what I do. It feels like I’m doing what I should be doing.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
My new release, though still in the same genre of Americana, is way less traditional. I had grown so much as an artist while touring and just living my life in between these two records. By the time I decided I was ready to make my second album, “Things I Need To Say,” I felt like a completely different person. Everything from my singing ability to my writing and performing had grown so much. I set out to write and record an album in which the message and sound was everything I loved in a whole about the entire Americana genre. This is my favorite thing I have ever made and it’s so personal and emotionally open it never feels fake or hard to share it. It’s freeing to sing these songs and it warms my heart when people are open to listening and connecting with these songs and myself as an artist and as a person.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
I feel the thing that I struggle with the most as an indie musician is trying to maintain relevance within the community and keeping your fans attention. Labels are really good about putting out content on their artists nonstop. We have to find a way to keep up with all of that ourselves as well as booking and all the other aspects of our careers.
It can get overwhelming sometimes. It’s always great to have people and friends in your corner to help you out. I’m lucky to have the people around me that I do. Technology is the best for artists like myself. The social media and digital distribution age have helped us expand our outreach so much. The possibilities are endless. Although there is so much to find it’s always nice to know you could always be found. You never know where that might lead and I find that very exciting.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
The best place to find me is on my website jeremyparsonsmusic.com
You can find me on Spotify and Instagram as well
Anything else before we sign off?
I just want to thank y’all very much for giving us a platform to reach more people so they may get to know us and our music better. And as a message to everyone reading don’t ever give up on yourself or your dream. Do what you love and love what you do. My dad told me that when I was a child and it’s taken me so many places I never thought I’d get to be or go.
