Meet Jaron Crawford | Actor, Musician

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

Hi Jaron, how do you think about risk?
Risks are the foundation of my artistic pursuits. With each step of a creative process I encounter a point in which I have a choice; mind or gut? My mind is like an overbearing mother that calculates the possibilities and outcomes of my future, while my gut is like a mysterious stranger that shows up at my door… asking for shelter. If you know me, you know I’m letting them in 95% of the time… unless they’re foaming at the mouth, ya know? But even then, I might regret leaving them out there to die so… I gotta trust my gut! It helps me live without regrets. I think a daily risk is trusting my gut, even in situations when my mind says otherwise. Taking risks really helps me let go when I’m creating music. That’s how I can just do one take and have confidence in it. Yeah, I could do 15 more takes and choose the best version… but I am going to take a risk and trust in myself. When I’m writing, I can’t go up to the brain and filter my words before I scribble them out. I gotta open the door and just go for it. As an actor, you often hear “make a choice” or “take a risk”. That’s because taking a risk is captivating, it’s why I love watching Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in the Shining; they don’t follow the rules. They take risks. Sometimes the raw, ugly, wet, stranger at our door is secretly an angel in disguise. We just gotta take that chance and let them in.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m dropping an alternative rap album called “Icarus” on July 3rd, 2021. Two years ago I was performing Hamlet in Maine. In 2020 I graduated from Carnegie Mellon with a degree in Acting. Since then, I’ve worked alongside Thomas Douglas as a Songwriter for the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, and as a Composer for Ty Greenwoods’, “Proclamation”, produced by Flugelman Productions in Australia.

So I’ve really let go of labeling myself.

My latest endeavor was I developing a fashion brand called PooNooWoozy! Some collections, like “PeaceNotWar”, raise money for the Last Prisoner Project. Others, such as “ProtectNativeWildlife”, give to rainforest rehabilitation. Of course, I also have exclusive merchandise that supports me, the artist.

My plan is to continue to use my platform to perpetuate critical conversations, and lift the voice of the people. I believe as strongly in social justice as I do in music or acting, so I see each promotional opportunity as a chance to give back to the community.

In the future, I would love to collaborate with a cannabis brand or a farm/garden company. I would love to host a community event that raises money for Cannabis Law reform, or maybe host a planting workshop in the city?! I was raised on organic farming, and I still organic farm here in LA…. it’s such a powerful tool for changing the lifestyles of the younger generation. Someone hear my call! Let’s make it happen.

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.
In Los Angeles? I still feel like I just got here. I would take them to Hey Hey tea on sunset for FRESH boba tea, then we would go across the street to hit Lowboy for dinner, and upstairs to Bar Flores for drinks on the rooftop. (don’t spill the tea!). I love hidden gem spots. Then of course, we would have to hit Mullholand drive for the views~ and my favorite, Will Rogers Beach for a couple beers and an ice cold dip in the ocean. I like experiences that require little planning.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my parents and my sister. Without the mentorship of Jason Haws, Kathy Dorgan, Blue Peetz and Thomas Douglas, I don’t know where I would be. Safiya, my partner, and all of my friends.

Website: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/poo-noo-woozy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaronsfun/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR5xXrWpUxE

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/69GVoRCyD6WXGXPddOqiPD?si=Y9fvWgfEQdqGLt-95FQ9zA&dl_branch=1 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jaron-crawford/1223756153

Image Credits
Evan Mulling