Meet Aaron Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Brown.

Hi Aaron, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Studio City/Sherman Oaks. I became interested in playing the electric guitar when I was 12 years old after becoming a fan of Metallica and Guns N’ Roses music. I also enjoyed dabbling with the piano and trying to learn some Lionel Richie love songs. I really enjoy all kinds of music like Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop, and Country. Then after high school, I started playing in some rock bands and played some rock shows on the Sunset strip at The Whiskey A Go Go and The Roxy. I went to Musician’s Institute in Hollywood in 2004 and studied the piano, guitar, and songwriting. In 2005, I knew I wanted to be a songwriter on a more serious level, so I moved to Nashville in 2006 to study and pursue the craft of songwriting in more depth. I learned a lot about the art of writing songs and eventually moved back home to Los Angeles in 2009.

After moving back home, I met my wife, Sami and we got married in 2011. When my son, Weston was born in 2013, I would sing and play my guitar for him as he would get older. He wanted to hear his daddy’s songs while driving in the car and started memorizing the words to my songs. He brought me joy and validation. He would love to listen to me sing and play the guitar. We started playing music together when he was three years old as we would improvise and he could come up with melodies and make up words on the spot. Some of the words obviously were not real English words, and some of his improvisations were gibberish, but the passion and love for music was there. Haha, I still have recordings of us jamming together when he was little. He inspired me to sing more and embrace my voice, even if I don’t sound like Jon Bon Jovi or Steven Tyler. 🙂

When Weston was seven years old, he told me that he wanted to learn how to rap since he is such a big fan of hip-hop and rap music. So we put our heads together and started writing and recording our first real songs in 2020. Weston has come up with the titles for our first three songs, “Gotta Get Some Love”, “Just Wanna Win”, and “Black Lives Matter.” We write the lyrics together and we talk about what is important to write about in each of our songs. We want to express our love for equality in the world. Our style combines elements of hip-hop/rap, pop/rock, and R&B.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Being a songwriter and pursuing the path of songwriting comes with challenges like rejection, judgment, financial hardships, and depression. It took a while to find my true and honest voice as a songwriter after many years of struggle and hard work. I feel overjoyed and more complete especially now that I am writing songs with my son, Weston.

I have spent a lot of money on demos, instruments, equipment, singing lessons, guitar lessons, photoshoots, etc. I have spent more money on my music career than I have earned from it, and it caused a lot of inner struggle knowing that as a man, I was not making a great living and being a provider. Often I felt that I didn’t have a lot to offer someone, but thank goodness, my wife gave me a chance and loved me for me. It always brings me so much joy and fulfillment to see my songs brought to life in the studio or making a music video or getting some form of recognition. No matter how much money I have spent, I will forever be on the path to present myself in a meaningful way that will touch somebody else and inspire the world somehow. Hopefully, one day I can make a positive impact and earn back what I have invested into my music career. There is no time limit to this journey.

The music industry and the business of songwriting can be tough to handle and comprehend. Some constructive criticism is necessary, but other times it is alright to disagree with what others say about who you are or your music. Only you know how you want to present yourself in the way that best defines you. I had to learn to build from the inside out and not keep building from the outside in. I write songs now listening to my inner voice and it always makes me feel better about the process. But there is always room to keep growing and learning in order to improve and become better.

I had to learn how to write better songs and understand what criteria the music industry is looking for in what makes a great song. Therefore, I devoted time to read many songwriting books and studied many different songs of different genres. I learned about the craft of writing songs and writing better lyrics. I used to force things and try to write songs from my mind rather than more from the heart. I was more concerned about what other people would think and if my songs were up to industry standards, but then I realized the song didn’t really come from my heart. A lot of rejection came with that, but I also did receive some positive recognition as well.

Music makes me feel fulfilled and complete, but at the same time it can make me feel empty and incomplete. When you haven’t made a living from writing songs or received the validation that you have so desired, it can lead to sadness, anxiety, and frustration. But the need to write a song and create music calls me everyday. If I don’t write songs, I don’t feel happy. The need to say something heartfelt and meaningful and create a melody that is genuine and colorful calls me, and I have to answer the call. I write songs for the love of it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have worked in the Entertainment Field for most of my career while always working on my craft of writing songs on the side. Songwriting has not paid the bills, so I have had to hold down a steady and stable job to help provide for my wife and kids while still honing my songwriting craft.

I worked at William Morris Endeavor Talent Agency for just under ten years, starting in the Mailroom and working up to be a Supplies Manager for the company. After my wife and I had our son, Weston, I realized that he is a huge priority in my life. I discovered that I love to teach and guide him to be a well-rounded person, so I then started volunteering in his kindergarten class. That opened my eyes even more to know that I love working with kids and being a positive influence in other people’s lives. Now I currently work in Education at a school as a Special Education Paraprofessional providing support to students with Special Needs. I am currently enrolled at National University to get my Master’s Degree for a Teaching Credential in Physical Education.

Now that I have two wonderful children, Weston and Sawyer, who both have a passion for music, we will continue to write and record songs together, perform and make music videos, and continue to build something special. Sawyer is almost three years old and she loves to sing songs and play the piano. She has great pitch and a sweet voice, so I am hoping she will officially join our group called Da Browns pretty soon and record with us in the studio.

I am most proud of sticking to my guns through the grueling yet defining years and continuing to just write songs for the love of it. Trying to get better at it and discovering my identity has led me to playing music with my children. It sparks so much inspiration within me to just keep doing it regardless if I don’t make a lot of money. Building a legacy is what I am doing, and it takes a lifetime to do that. I am most proud of my kids for being full of love, life, and personality. I am most proud of the family support that I have received from my parents, my wife, and her family. What sets us apart is our genuine and honest approach for sharing love and truth. We believe in and stand for love and equality.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising about me that people might not know is that I had wanted to be a professional baseball player when I was growing up. I had played baseball for my most of my life, from t-ball all the way up to college, but eventually I chose music or shall I say music chose me.

I suffered from depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder when I was a teenager. I went to therapy and learned how to get healthier in my mind and grow out of certain things that would cause depression. I am very grateful for having had a helpful psychologist and psychiatrist when I was a kid and also on and off into adulthood. Therapy does work. I am much more capable now of managing depression and OCD, but things do come up in life when I need advice, so I know help is just a phone call away.

I am a huge fan of The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Sade, Marvin Gaye, and John Mayer.

Weston and I absolutely love to watch and play basketball. Our favorite players are Stephen Curry, Lebron James, Jayson Tatum, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson.

Our favorite rappers are Tupac, Eminem, and The Notorious B.I.G.

Our favorite movies are Rocky and Creed movies, Ace Ventura, Dumb and Dumber, and Home Alone.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://soundcloud.com/aaron-brown-music
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dabrownsmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dabrownsmusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dabrownsmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyyWoTTci3tqHjQqd277kDw/videos
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dabrownsmusic
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/aaronbrownsongs

Image Credits:
Matt Blum Joshua Freedman Anna Bellisi