Hi Jason! Can you explain what you do?
I am the concept music supervisor at Elias Arts (And a DJ at KCRW.)
What does that mean? I’m responsible for selecting and licensing music that appears in visual media (i.e. commercials).
What were you interested in during high school? What did you do work-wise?
My interests at that time were working on an ambulance as an auxiliary with the LA city fire department. I worked on an ambulance for 10 years, but at the same time I wanted to work in music and radio.
How did your career in music begin?
While I was working on the ambulance, I started working at KLOS radio on my days off in 1992. As time went on I wrote numerous letters to Skunk Records to work with the band sublime. For two years I worked with the band until 1996. I left working on the ambulance and got a job at FOX sports music, helping develop the first music department for a television network. In 1997, after working at KCRW for a year I got my first radio show.
What is your favorite Los Angeles music venue?
My favorite LA music venue is constantly changing. Every venue has a special place for every band. If it’s not UCLAs Royce Hall, it may be the Bootleg Theatre, though I do also enjoy going to the Troubadour.
What was your first major project?
My first major project was working in FOX sports where we had the band Jungle Brother re-write the lyrics and do a commercial for the network.
What did you do after college?
After college I was working on the ambulance.
What was your first job?
My first job was working at McDonalds when I was 15. However, beforehand I was a child actor and I was in McDonalds commercial. Does that count?
Did you know what you wanted to do career-wise in high school?
Yes. When I was in high school I was taking a class where I worked at a hospital through the high school. We went to the hospital twice a week as part of our first period class. Shortly after, I worked auxiliary for LA city fire.
What did you listen to in high school?
Musically, I was what you call a rude boy (in the 80s). A rude boy was somebody who listened to earlier ska and also punk rock. We were in various different groups of friends who also listened to older soul, jazz and world music. The way we dressed was different than most kids. I had a buzzed head, wore plaid shirts, and off-colored green pants and a lot of Doc Martens. At the time, my favorite bands growing up were The Specials and Madness, and by the time I was in high school I listened to Fishbone (who also attended my high school).
What was your first record (or two?)
My first two records when I was eight-year-old were The Beatles’ Magical Tour and Bob Marley’s Exodus, in 1978.
Was there a moment that inspired you musically?
In high school, I had a teacher who made us sit down and listen to the song “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. We had to listen to the lyrics and then discussed the meaning of the song and its importance. To this day, that experience has been one of the most invaluable lessons I ever learned.
Where do you discover new music?
Growing up I used to love going to the record stores and spend an hour or two thumbing through the bins. Since that’s as archaic as a dinosaur, I now spend a lot of time online looking through various blogs, other radio stations, and streaming channels like Spotify to find new music. And most importantly, I listen to friends.
What was your first concert?
My first concert, not including anything with Pinocchio, or any other Disney based character, would have been Cheap Trick. I have always surrounded myself with people in music, if not fans, my hippie uncle and other musicians. I’ve been vey lucky with seeing some amazing artists in my life.