Meet Jake Fraczek | Author, writer, broadcaster.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jake Fraczek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jake, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Being true to your art, being honest with your desires when creating something. We have ideas and visions, and they can take shape. Once they become tangible, becoming books, songs, films, whatever, they can get away from us. The allure of more praise, more success, is powerful. It can usurp our direction and misguide us, like a Ouija board controlling your hand. Not even just the big money, but merely the sensation of attention is magnetic, to the point where we begin to tailor our art and expression to make that appeal the priority. With my books, writing, my podcast, doing them the way I envision them, feel them, brings a satisfaction that doesn’t fade, a freedom success can’t mirror. In my past music career, I felt that feeling of deviating from my intentions, creating things I didn’t love, because a carrot was being dangled inches from my face. And I lost passion from that. Since my writing career, I’ve made sure to not feel that draining feeling again. I’m blessed and grateful my writing has been well received, and that reinforces my approach. It’s not always what you do, but how you do it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Telling my stories. Because they’re mine, no one else can tell them. I have to be comfortable in my vulnerability, and ready for what comes with telling some true stories. Thankfully I have a lot of good ones. I’ve recognized that as one of my assets as a writer. I’ve certainly lived what some might call a “colorful” life, wild experiences, good, bad, crazy, beautiful, weird, dangerous and I’m grateful as hell. Having a unique perspective on top of that makes for some storytelling that doesn’t trace the blueprints. Creating has always been a way for me to cope with, process, and understand what comes. Writing my first book, Quicksand, helped pull me out of a self-destructive emotional safari. The dark humor is a survival tactic I get from my family, an element of my character and my writing that I couldn’t shake with rehab. Art provokes all kinds of emotional responses, I want people to take from my writing what they want, what they see.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a beach bum, I surf, I grew up in The West Indies when I was young, so I’d take ‘em to places I know and love, taking advantage of the weather. The LA area is loaded with all types of beaches and hikes. Venice Boardwalk is top-tier people watching. Bounce around to a few bars and crush some oysters, bring a road soda and a cigar to the boardwalk, take in the wildlife. Late night taco trucks to rescue you from the edge of hell, Thai Town for some green jade noodles, and some art shows or pop into a friend’s studio. Eat what is done best here, hit up indie movie theatres to watch midnight flicks on 35mm, push your limits at a secret after hours joint, and dodge Hollywood like jury duty.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Skateboarding in general, it gave me what I needed in life. Hip-Hop, it shaped my perspective. My friends who keep me on point, balanced, and inspired. My mother, whom I get a lot of my style and artistic creativity from, plus she raised me through all the winds that blow in life. My father too. He was wild dude. The two of them gave me a lot of character, stories, and experiences. Albums like Illmatic, Catch of Fire, Wish You Were Here, Trouble Man, Me Against the World. Books like Soul On Ice, Post Office, All Souls, Papillon. And shoutout to everyone that reads my stuff, supports, and sends messages, comments, or reviews saying how or why they liked it, that it connected with them in some way. Nobody wants to feel alone. When someone relates to, or admires your art, it’s a bridge to something greater than just yourself.

Website: https://linktr.ee/jakefraczek

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakefraczek/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jthes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@damagedgoodspodcast5357

Other: https://www.damagedgoodspodcast.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Room-Jake-Fraczek/dp/1977253407/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KNXT6JO1GX2T&keywords=the+waiting+room+jake+fraczek&qid=1680494757&sprefix=the+waiting+room+jake+fraczek%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1

Image Credits
Photos by Adam Amengual. Poster/print by Brendan Donnelly. “The Waiting Room” and “Quicksand”, by Jake Fraczek,