Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Blaine.
Hi Jay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My musical Journey started when I was 12 years old in my mom’s basement with a garage band on my school iPad. After going through a tumultuous upbringing and moving out of my dad’s I started making beats from scratch then recording, mixing, and mastering them myself. Spent 4 years learning the basics of recording & making music all the while moving out of my mom’s at 14 and turning my grandpa’s basement into a studio.
I would run sessions until I graduated high school helping many artists in my hometown begin their music passions and gaining experience from working with so many different types of musicians just to be more well-versed. When I finally graduated school I had 3 20 song mixtapes that I had produced and released (looking back they were definitely my first projects and I cannot even compare them to where my music has come from) and upon meeting Anthony Miller (pinnacle pointe studios owner) at the gas station.
I worked in my hometown and was offered an internship that ultimately would change my path forever. I was brought into an extremely professional workspace with experienced mentors at a caliper I never could have imagined at the time. Have been working alongside the pinnacle, pointe studios family, ever since, and in the last year, moved to Saint Paul, to further establish studio connections, and my overall presence as an artist across Minnesota, and have been working alongside many very talented musicians, and mentors that share common goals as my mentors/peers in Duluth.
Mentored by everyone working at pinnacle pointe studios. I gained enough knowledge and resources to be self-sustaining at 21 years old. I now am 21 years old with two kids, own a clothing company, run mobile studio sessions across the state., am an active member of the Minnesota artist community, have worked with many talented and experienced artists, and have put in almost 10 years into my sound, and have created a new approach for upcoming artists to build and promote their platforms.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the most difficult parts of my journey have been a mix of financial emotional and physical stress. Even though it said we are Minnesota nice, I have experienced quite the opposite experience as an upcoming artist, born and raised in Minnesota. There are a lot of toxic mentalities, and unjustified competition that in my opinion, makes being a musician in Minnesota much more difficult than it should be, or is in most other states.
The amount of resistance that I’ve been shown from venues across the state artist across the state, and even vendors across the state when it comes to putting together events or attempting to merge hip-hop with other genres. Now that I’ve been doing this long enough, I see red flags, much easier so the financial burden isn’t as significant however, it took me years of essentially being scammed by promoters, collaborators, and business owners to finally have a catalog of people that are genuinely hoping to elevate the Minnesota art/ music scene in the same way that I am.
I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on gear, travel shows, expenses, merchandise, etc., and typically never receive compensation other than the joy of performing my music. It’s also been very difficult to gain the support of upcoming artists around the state since Minnesota is such a dog-eat-dog place in the music scene.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multi-genre-based recording artist /audio engineer/ clothing designer/brand organizer that over all else appreciates good music from classic rock to current pop hits and beautiful, art in all forms. I’ve always been told from a young age I am very inclined at expressing ideas to people, and seeing who would fit the necessary roles to make the idea happen. I’ve helped many people come together at different times for different things to build something they never would have been able to without having someone to introduce the people involved.
I’ve always had an ear for production, so anytime I’m in the studio I’m extremely valuable in a lot of different ways. Whether it be working on the mixing side instrumentation songwriting. Promotion, or live performances I have always stood out because I am so well-versed and charismatic. I also believe one of the main things that separate me from other artists is my tenacity and ability to take chances towards investing in myself more than anybody else is willing to.
I’ve slept in studio spaces, and in my car, sold everything I had except for my gear to get more gear and driven all across the state multiple times just to be where I am today and fit in conversations with people who have been doing this more than twice as long as me. My debut album is probably what I’m most proud of as an artist as of right now it took a year of recording and a lot of dedication and money to finish it and I’ve always received overwhelmingly positive reactions from anyone who’s listened to the album.
My favorite part about being an artist is being able to inspire people and see people become more than they ever thought possible all within a studio session or live performance. I love art, and the energy I get from being able to surround myself with such amazing people, and beautiful creations humbles me on a daily basis.
What matters most to you?
As a musician, authenticity and production quality are the two most important factors in a good song to me. When I was first starting out in my basement and had to hear all of the horrible mixes and keep convincing myself, I would eventually get better.
I knew fundamentally that growing as an artist and always striving to achieve more was going to give me the building blocks to a life of freedom and expression that I have always dreamed of. When I look back on my career as an old man, I hope that through all of this music and my career choices, I’m able to help other people prosper and be blessed in the same way I was.
Pricing:
- Collaborations $100
- Merchandise $20 minimum
- Beats the $50 minimum
- Mixing/mastering $150 a song
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinnaclepointestudios.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thajayblaine?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088785077178&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thajayblaine?s=21&t=NMiQREwmEKDSy58-YEzdFg
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@whoisthecat123
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/Amefgqpv9RR2DxJC6
- Other: https://withkoji.com/@Thajayblaine?fbclid=PAAaZxNWwlmsg_1fKP-yrUv2nGVHIPR_Q73kgLnv29BukdGtV_awqRRU7OuQ8
