Meet Jethro Astle: A teacher and part time rock and roller in Boa Constrictors.

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

Hi Jethro, how do you think about risk?
I was thinking about how in school and parents always talk about how life decisions are risky. They say you should make smart decisions or try to be smart about things. But that isn’t true at all. Everything is a risk if you accept the game that is played by the banks or system. If you want to be successful in that system, you have to play by the rules like at Chuck E. Cheese. You want prizes, buy the coins and get their tickets. But why not just leave and make your own? This probably sounds like ranting and raving but maybe it will make sense in your head. The only real end to everything is death. Don’t risk your life with rock climbing and sky diving (which I see way too often on Tinder). Start a business, start a band, make money, get dumb jobs, go to school, paint, make movies, be a doctor; life is daily risk. I’ll steal a Steve Jobs quote (paraphrased) even though he is an asshole: The only time you actually win big is when you risk it all. That being said, do not risk family and friend relationships. You don’t want to be a Scrooge or Macbeth in a giant house with all your rotten dreams and no one cares that you’re taking your last breath. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is just what I like. I support myself by being teacher. It allows me to read and work with students on their writing. It wasn’t easy because I hate forms and mindless requirements. It also made me think I was wasting my life. But I try to think positive. It could be a lot worse. I was in some pretty bad states of mind. The only way to overcome it was to never give up. It’s a little cliche, but you just keep putting your foot in front of the other. Also, I didn’t glorify drugs or think they were the best thing in the world. Fuck drugs. I just want the world to know that my art is honest. It’s pointless too. A great way to waste some time, experience life or whatever. Go read the bible or something.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m leaving in Mesa, Arizona. I like buying old things like video games or Ninja Turtles. I would go to Bookman’s or Goodwill. Deseret Industries sometimes has some cool stuff. I like pizza too so Barro’s or Venezia’s or Grimaldi’s. I’ll walk around Walmart or Target too. I’m a professional consumer. My daughter is the most exciting person I know. Most people are on drugs and say the same stuff they read on the internet. Natural History Museum is fun. Have you heard of Youtube as well? Alamo Drafthouse for a mooooovie.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It’s always good to have a rival. My rival was my best friend Eric Mattson. I always wanted to make a better song or jump a higher fence just so he would say, “Wow, I’m impressed.” Really, I just wanted to impress him and anyone who would listen or read my stuff. I’m not sure why I want to. Joe Astle is probably the reason why I’ve done anything in the music business. His genius has been recognized by the great minds of the music world allowing for us to play all over. I actually have stories to tell, even if they aren’t that impressive. My new rival is James Astle. He is very hard to impress. My daughter keeps driving me to never give up and keep making money. But the most helpful would have been my parents, Jim and Sharon Astle. They let me be whoever I wanted and offered advice if I asked. My dad got me a guitar and my mom showed me The Ramones. Without them letting me go wild, I never would have felt comfortable with myself (to a degree).

Website: jetumbo.bandcamp.com
Instagram: jethroastle
Youtube: Jethro Astle
Other: boaconstrictors.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Daisy