In the latest episode of Profitable Musician Show, Bree Noble sits down with Jastin Artis—the creative mind behind “A&R in Your Pocket”—for a heartfelt and illuminating conversation about the winding road of a music career, perseverance through adversity, and redefining success as an independent artist. Their discussion is packed with practical insights for musicians and entrepreneurs, with powerful reminders that your unique story and experiences can fuel your artistry.
Listen to the episode here
Starting Out: Self-Taught, Self-Driven
Jastin’s journey began, like many artists, with a spark of inspiration and a singular moment that changed everything: “My journey started 20 some plus years ago. This is before YouTube University, you know, googling things, even before Facebook popped off. So I’m in school and I’m teaching myself how to play guitar… Stairway to Heaven was the song that got me to play guitar.” What’s striking is his relentless commitment to learning—heading to the library for songwriting and music industry books when information wasn’t as easily accessible.
Many artists struggle with defining their role early on, and Jastin was candid about his original aspirations: “I never wanted to be an artist. I felt like looking back, I saw that I studied music without even knowing it… I was a band geek, shout out to all my band geeks.” But over time, the calling became clear, and he transitioned from writer to performer, a process he describes as divinely inspired and full of unexpected challenges.
Balancing Life and Art
Behind every artist’s journey, there’s often a patchwork of day jobs, side hustles, and pivots. Jastin’s path included roles from server to teacher to security agent before finally making music his full-time pursuit. “I basically have done the 40 hour work week and then spent another probably 40 hours or so at night working, crafting, as I like to call it… being a musician, writing, business stuff, reaching out, connecting with people.”
Personal circumstances—marriage, divorce, and parenthood—shaped his journey further. “I’m the type of guy that I don’t believe things should stop you from doing or pursuing what you love… I wove that into my family. I would say, hey, this is the hours that I’m working in the home studio.” His candid reflections are a potent reminder that creativity doesn’t stop when life intervenes; it adapts and evolves.
Transitioning to Full-Time Musician: The Leap of Faith
Jastin’s decision to go all-in on music just before COVID-19 was both terrifying and liberating. Laid off, facing personal loss, and at a crossroads, he recalls, “I said, you know what? I’m just gonna go for music 100%. I just. I can’t do this anymore. This is what I love.” His story of fear, faith, and the support of loved ones speaks to the courage required to chase your passion.
Interestingly, his pre-pandemic home studio habits prepared him for the virtual shift post-COVID: “By the time COVID came… I was just kind of like, well, y’, all, welcome to my world. Because I’ve been working from home all this time.” He also credits sync licensing for opening new doors: “I believe now I can create my music and do all the things that this business entails in terms of deadlines and creating for this and understanding the briefs.”
Entrepreneurship and Health: Building Your Own Pace
For Jastin, entrepreneurship provided much-needed flexibility, especially as health challenges arose. “I get to dictate how I, I work in my workflow and what I need… that doesn’t mean I haven’t used the corporate experience to be involved in how I work and how I meet people and how I do contracts.” Handling health issues, family responsibilities, and creative ambitions, he discovered the importance of setting his own schedule, giving himself grace, and training others to respect his needs.
The Spirit Behind “A&R in Your Pocket”
Jastin’s initiative, “A&R in Your Pocket,” aims to support independent artists in discovering their authentic voice and embracing the full scope of the music business, from artistry to admin. “The whole idea basically is for one, for the artist, is to let them know that you’re independent, but you’re not alone. I want creatives artists to believe that they are leaders.” He urges artists to be true to themselves, even as trends and industry pressures push for conformity.
His advice is simple and memorable: “Jay Z can’t be Jastin Artis… he can’t be me, and I can’t be him. And that’s okay… Let me do what I’m doing and build what I’m trying to build.”
Life’s Changes: Slow Down, Don’t Stop
Whether you’re an emerging musician or a seasoned pro, Jastin’s story resonates—a reminder not to let setbacks slow you down for long: “You have to make adjustments. You have to be there for your family, for your people. But again, it can slow you down a little bit. Right. You might have to take a little break and make some adjustments. Pivots… are my favorite word. But it shouldn’t make you feel like you have to stop.”
Important Links Mentioned In This Episode
– Jastin Artis Website
– LinkedIn: Connect with Jastin Artis
– Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook, TikTok: @jastinartis
Whether you’re navigating the music world, dealing with change, or seeking entrepreneurial courage, Jastin’s story is proof that authenticity and faith move mountains. Reach out, ask questions, and let your own journey unfold.
