Musical Mentors: An Interview with Jason Harrod

Over the years, I’ve created my own personal music culture, defined mostly by recommendations from friends, the timeless college unforgettables and my own personal fantasy to have lived as a hippie in the 1960s and 70s.

And, I can’t leave out the musical influences from my mom and dad (read: Abba, The Carpenters and a wide range of showtunes).

So, I’m branching out a bit. During the past year, I’ve made it a priority to notice the positive impact music has on my life and our overall culture. I’ve made a concerted effort to step out of my bubble by adopting a more exploratory, experimental style to expanding my musical world.

Enter Jason Harrod. Jason and I recently connected and I’m so glad we did. He’s done extraordinary work developing his musical career and craft – and as a lover or words, I find his lyrics to be profoundly moving and insightful.

Jason’s insights helped me remember that we all can be original and be vocal about who we are, as writers, as musicians, as anything we want.

4 Questions for Jason Harrod
Jason and I caught up recently to chat about his career and to get some of his expert thoughts for musicians and writers of all kinds.

Laura: Was there a particular moment you realized you wanted to be a singer / songwriter or did it evolve over time?

Jason: It evolved. I’ve always had melodies in my head, whether from Saturday morning cartoons or something my parents were listening to. Eventually I realized that melodies I heard were my own.

The first song with lyrics I wrote was called “Hop Away Little Frog.” My grandmother used to play guitar, and gave it to me when she became too arthritic to play. So it was kind of a natural progression to start guitar lessons, and from there, to start accompanying myself.

Laura: What are some of the most satisfying aspects of songwriting for you? The most challenging or difficult?

Jason: I think the most satisfying moment is when I’m actually singing a completed song for someone. It feels like the natural end of a long process. In those moments I feel like I was doing what I was made to do, using my whole body and spirit to communicate with someone (if they’re listening).

The most challenging part is staying disciplined, working when I don’t feel inspired. But I find if I keep working, I’m often rewarded with inspiration when I least expect it. I’m always very thankful for those moments, and I scurry off to find a recording device to get everything down before I forget it.

Laura: Where do you get most of your inspiration for your lyrics?

Jason: I think I’m a visceral writer. I write when I feel moved, either by God, or others, or a great story I’ve read or movie I’ve seen. I try to read poetry and let it work it’s way into my mind.

I pray, I shout, I yodel keening vowels into the air seeing if there’s anything in my gut that wants to come out. Hoping there’s something in my gut that wants to come out.

Laura: Finally, what advice can you offer other aspiring songwriters/singers – or even other writers – as they start their musical or writing journey?

Jason: Listen to artists you love and are drawn to and learn their songs. That’s something most songwriters would probably do anyway. It’s kind of like wearing someone else’s skin, being someone else.

Eventually you grow enough to wear your own skin, but then you’ve got tricks up your sleeve you learned from someone else. But don’t be afraid to be yourself and be original.

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For more info on Jason, his albums and whereabouts, you can visit his site, which also includes samples and lyrics to many of his cool and inspiring songs. He has a number of upcoming tour dates as well (check it out on his “tour” tab). You can also find Jason on Twitter.

For a bit of conversation: Do you have a musical mentor? My list is getting longer by the minute. Feel free to comment and share – we’d love to hear about the musicians that rock your world.

Editor’s note: This is a continuation of the songwriter interview series originally launched at Laura Reviews. More songwriter and musician interviews to come.

Tagged as: Interviews, Laura Cococcia, Music, Writing