Meet J. Marshall | Singer-songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with J. Marshall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi J., we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
To me, risk-taking seems to the be the whole point of creativity. In regular business, there are ways to calculate risk. You could even say the definition of business is using empirical thinking to minimize risk — “What is the most least-risky, sure-fire way I can make money?” However to me, as a creative, risk is a different thing. What I personally consider to be good creative-work is always derived from genuine originality and expression, and it is always a risk to be your true self in our society. With musicians especially, it is incredibly hard to do your own thing. It’s hard to be yourself and accept the judgement from other people. I play music and I do not ever play cover-songs, I play guitar with no pedals or other equipment. Just me, my guitar, and my words. To me, this is a major risk. People want to hear songs they recognize. They want to hear the classics. They don’t want to spend their evening listening to some guys strange poetry. But, as painful as it can be for me, I power through the insecurity because I believe the risk is a means to an end, and I believe people will enjoy my stuff if they give it a chance, and because it’s what I believe in. Risk is more than important, it is a necessary and factual aspect of all humanity. Without it, creativity and progress doesn’t exist at all.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been irrationally obsessed with music. It’s all I enjoy talking or thinking about. I would love to be obsessed with something else, like Math, or Finance — you know, something that can make money. But no. For me it’s music. Oh well. I started at 15 with open mics, and quickly began gigging around Northern Colorado. After High-School I began playing bass for various bands around CO, and touring with them in other states. I am 21 now and focused on my own songs. I have been recording music in a closet at home and currently preparing for some early November shows in New Mexico, Arizona, and California, as well as trying for spots in my home of Colorado. No goal is easy, that’s what makes it a goal, but I have been blessed enough to have the support of my beautiful girlfriend and amazing father in my endeavors. A lesson I have learned, and will never forget, is that if you’re alive in America, than the rules apply to you. There are no exemptions or lone-wanderers. I work a lot, I have had many, many different jobs. I used to just give my money away on things I didn’t need because I felt like it didn’t matter, but the truth is that it always matters, and treating your work like a ‘real’ business, no matter what, is always beneficial. I am careful with and protective of my money now, so that I can be more charitable and productive in the future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I don’t play pool but I do like to drink, so the Sundown Saloon on Pearl St. in Boulder has been one of my favorite spots. It’s dark, people leave you alone and let you vibe. It’s perfect. Walking down Pearl St. itself during the day is also a perfect way to spend the day. The have so many shops and restaurants, plus my all-time favorite book-store, the Boulder Book Store. My favorite music venue is Black and Blues in Loveland, on Cleveland Avenue. It’s a perfect venue — enough space while still being intimate, great drinks, great lights and sound. I know they have music scheduled all the way until February of 2022. In Denver there’s also Your Moms House, another one of my favorite venues, the people who work there are incredibly friendly, and I’ve had some of my best, most fun shows there. And finally, if your in Colorado, you have to see some nature, and my favorite outdoors area is Table Mesa, where it’s not too far into the mountains and they have the best view of Boulder, ever.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My amazing girlfriend Katy, who supports me in all I do, and gives me the confidence I need to keep going.

Website: https://jmarshallmusic.bandcamp.com/

Instagram: j.marshall.__

Facebook: Jeremy Marshall-Schofield

Youtube: J. Marshall

Image Credits
Chase Yaws Adam Golden Tim Sutherland Benjamon Gaude