Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Jamar.
Austin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got my start writing Hip Hop beats when I was about 16 or 17 years old. Late 90s. I got a $2000 loan to buy a car and spent the money on a keyboard and a drum machine instead. I would record my beats on tape into a karaoke machine and my friends and I would rap over them. Pretty janky setup but we made it work. Around 2001 I linked up with Al-D. Al is DJ Screw’s brother and a Texas legend. We made a ton of music together over the next few years but as my life was taking some downward turns, I stopped writing. I remember feeling like I didn’t have anything more to offer and I just hung it up. I wasn’t inspired anymore. Around 2008 or 2009 I started DJing professionally and discovered House, Dub Step, Trap and everything else that was just exploding at the time. I fell in love all over again and wanted to make music. It took me a while but eventually, I signed up for a class at Austin Dub Academy to learn how to use a DAW. I had never made music inside of a computer before so I was kind of starting over. I spent a while tinkering in Ableton and entering remix contests, but I didn’t really have a clear direction or a brand. As a DJ I came across Bronze Whale and they were making music that I wanted to make. After noticing they were from Austin and realizing I actually knew one of the guys fairly well in high school, I reached out for some help. I soaked up every bit of knowledge I could from these guys and they were happy to give it. In the process, we became very close friends and I consider these guys my family. Wherever I’m at now (musically, as an artist, or a person), a huge source of my inspiration comes from them. So, where is that exactly? I love what I’m making now more than ever. I’m surrounded by amazing people and I’m always inspired. Always a student, always trying to learn. I am who I’m becoming!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest obstacles I think a lot of artists have to deal with is addiction. I went down that path for 4 long years. To make a really long story short, in the early 2000s I started partying pretty hard. Eventually, I became a drug addict. I was using it every day all day. I knew where to get large quantities and I knew who to sell them to so I was never without. Thankfully, I got busted and was sent to prison. It saved my life. I realized I had another chance. I got out and I’ve never looked back at that life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a music producer, I make beats. I compose harmonies, melodies and rhythms. I shape sounds and vocals. I love experimenting and transforming things. I think I’m known for writing dark downtempo, but I’m currently working on something a bit more upbeat. Something that sets me apart from other artists is I don’t attach myself to any one genre or subgenre. I love it all.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Well, they don’t give out rewards for free. I take risks. I push people to take risks. I try to convince people to take risks with me. I am for sure a risk-taker. Especially if someone is considering quitting a job or career to pursue a passion full time. Risk and reward are 2 halves of the whole. If you are able to see these risks through, not only do you get the reward you were aiming for but you get the prize of believing in yourself. Or you fall on your face, which you should be prepared to do a few times.
Pricing:
- Poles DJ set 1 hour $500
Contact Info:
- Website: magicmagiccollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itspoles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itspoles
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/itspoles
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6913mlaeLtkbCcgo82Jj2J?si=IwC8HMv4TXS-_lsgEQCPaQ
Image Credits
@babydee2141 @magicmagiccollective
