Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob St. Aubin.
Jacob, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I moved to LA in June of 2013. As a gay male from the Midwest, growing up was very interesting for me. I denied my sexuality for years to keep my family happy. Finally, in college (my first year, in 2019), I met a boy who changed my world and finally decided to come out as gay.
Throughout my college career, I had a great support system. I was finally learning what it meant to be myself. I didn’t know what I wanted to do career wise… but I knew I wanted to move to LA. I didn’t have much of a plan past that.
There were specific nights in my college town where you could perform, kind of open mic style. I wasn’t comfortable singing (yet), so my routines were mostly drag. It was never any good, but I learned from this that I loved being on stage.
I graduated with a BFA in 2013 and had an interview for a Talent Agency in Los Angeles. I was so excited, I flew out just for the interview not having much else of a plan. Thankfully I got the job, and that check was what kept me in LA.
Working at an Agency, you do a lot of the grunt work for other artists. Some young, some old… but sitting at my desk, I wondered what could happen if I pursued an artistic career of my own. I knew I liked to sing, but I had never done it publically. Was I even good? I thought I was. But how can you really know?
I started to reach out to Producers on Craigslist, and finally met someone who recorded me on two tracks. Those tracks will forever stay in my email, but that was a good experience at singing in front of people and in a studio. And, I got great feedback on my voice. I wanted more.
I met another friend who produced, and we put together music that you can now find on any music platform. It was great… I was putting out singles, performing live in small clubs, I thought that I could maybe make this work.
My biggest question has always been, “why?” When I pursue a career or an artistic endeavor, what is the purpose?
In my core, I know I want to help people. I’ve been through a lot that I feel I can help others cope with. Coming out was not easy… and I still have family that does not accept me. I have family that have passed away that never knew. I have family and friends that I know I will never talk to again.
It’s sad and heartbreaking, but at the end of the day, I will not sacrifice my own happiness for another’s. Not only do I mean to help those coming out, but I’m also very socially and politically driven. If one person does not have equal rights, then we are not an equal rights society. I will always march alongside the minority. Life should be about raising each other up, not holding each other back.
With all of this in mind, I thought, how can I combine this passion to help others with my passion to sing? So that’s where my writing comes from. And so far, the performances have only grown. I’ve performed all over the US, and I’ve had the time of my life getting to sing for people and getting to know them on a personal level. If one kid tells me I helped them, then at the end of the day I’ve done my job.
Currently, I’m still booking shows, and I’m always thinking of new ways on how to change the world for the better.
Great, 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?
The road to a successful music career has not been smooth.
To start, success to me is being able to help others, and financially support myself a little better from music alone. It’s never been about the red carpet or the Grammy. Of course, if that were to happen… I would accept! The thing is, there’s no right or wrong way to do things.
There’s no instruction manual. Some artists are discovered overnight, some are discovered at age 40, it’s really anyone’s game. So the struggle for me is always, how do I stand out? I’m always thinking of new ways to be unique and stay true to myself.
Another hindrance is that I’m Independent, meaning I have no representation. While it’s harder to book shows that way, it means all the more to me when I do book a larger show because I know I did that myself!
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I think what sets me apart from other artists is that at the end of the day, the person you see on stage or hear from my music is the same person you’ll meet when I’m offstage.
I’ve known artists to settle and take off under a persona that is not true to who they are as a person. It does and can work! But if I’m going to be successful, it’s going to be because I stayed true to myself the whole way.
What I’m most proud of is booking shows on my own. Pride season is big for me, so it’s always fun to set up little summer tours and meet people all over the US.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It would have to be putting out my first single “Supercharge” and really announcing myself to the world. My family and friends were not only shocked but extremely supportive.
I still get Snapchats or Instagram messages of people listening to the song, and it just means the world to me. I put my absolute heart into the vocals and lyrics, and that song will always mean the most to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jacobstaubin
- Facebook: Facebook.com/jacobstaubinmusic
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