Meet Jon Benward | Producer & Artist

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

Hi Jon, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think risk is everything. To put it in the most simplistic way that i can, risk is the reason i’m still living. My background as an artist is a pretty humble one compared to the many that i’ve heard over the years. I did however, like many others, grow up in a home that wasn’t always supportive of my interest in the performing arts. When i was young i heard a lot of talk surrounding the college lifestyle and the benefits that a competitive four year degree could reap for me. I felt trapped in that idea. I always felt a connection to music more so than anything else and the early parts of my middle school and high school journey were very much reflective of that. Coming to terms with the fact that i knew deep down i was always going to go a different way in life was stressful yet I knew it was a risk that I had to take. I took it. The thing about risk though is this; once taken, the comfortable nature of convince and safety just isn’t enough. Taking that initial risk was scary, but what scared me even worse was not taking it at all. Living a life that made me wish I wasn’t living at all was a much scarier scenario than any ‘going broke’ scenario I could come up with. Taking that initial risk lead me to seeing the most beautiful places i’ve ever seen. I traveled the country in very unorthodox ways that allowed me to see a perspective of life that vert few will have the pleasure of seeing. While the road wasn’t always easy or fun, taking a risk on trusting and believing in myself was the best thing i ever did.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe that what sets me apart in terms of what i create is simply what I have to say. I don’t believe it’s necessarily vastly different or controversial to many messages that are being spread today, but what i do believe is that the perspective i’m writing my experiences from is an interesting one. I believe that at the end of the day we all have a unique perspective on things that may seen dull to us but to someone else could be life changing. Ideas are powerful things. The power of art lies in ones ability to shape and reshape ideas, both preexisting and strikingly new. Listening to each others unique perspectives and seeing the way those perspectives shape their lives is what life is all about. Getting to where i am professionally was definitely a mountain of an ordeal. Not because of uncertainty of how i would get there, but because of the mindset i was trying to get there with. Coming to terms with my own shortcomings and flaws and a person was tough. A lot of time time, i was too prideful to let myself do things that i knew would help me while at the same time being too stubborn to quit the bad habits that I had formed over the years. It was a real vicious cycle for a long time. Looking back, it’s was the people I surrounded myself who eventually helped pull me out of that damaging mindset.
I learned a lot of lessons coming up, thats for sure. The biggest lesson that i’ve learned over my time teaching myself how to be both a better artist and human being is this: Get out of your head. I can’t even dive into how many times my gut and intuition we’re correct but my overthinking mind would get in the way. I have a couple projects coming out this year. Throughout all of it, one thing remains consistent: The music that i make is all about how my head is a dangerous place. It’s not about negatively talking down to myself, it’s about confronting myself with the reality of how harmful my past actions have been to both myself and others. While I believe that wallowing in self pity is very harmful to ones development, I do believe that self reflection is important to gain a perspective worth writing from. If I could have one thing be remembered about myself and my story, I want it to be that, no matter what happens, i’ll never stop trying to be better. Neither should you.

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.
The first stop I would them to would be the top of the greek theater in echo park. The concerts that take place there are incredible but it’s not only for that. The view from that theater is one of the best in the city. The echo park area is beautiful at sundown as well. One of the best restaurants in the city is E.P./L.P. and as a post concert hot spot, it’s one of my favorites. Day time activities for me include Santa Monica’s promenade and the downtown area of Venice blvd. Over the week long trip I would definitely recommend a trip up the coast to Santa Cruz. The rest stops and camp grounds along the way are gorgeous and absolutely worth the trip alone. In my option, a lot of the most exciting things to check out are on the coast. I always loved being by the water. As a child i spent a lot of time by the beach and it always kept with me. That being said, the Malibu mountains is one of my favorite places ever to explore and drive through when I’m spending a day to myself or sharing that time with someone special.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents first and foremost. They raised me the best that they could and I wouldn’t be who I am today without everything they did and tried to do for me. Theres a lot of people who i could thank for helping me along the way. I’ve made (and lost) some truly incredible friends throughout my journey. They all had one thing in common, they were then and continue to this day to be outstanding people both in and outside of their fields of expertise.

Website: www.jonbenward.com

Instagram: @jonbenward

Twitter: @Jonbenwvrd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.benward

Other: Music Links: Instagram: @ifutakemehome Twitter: @ifutakemehome Spotify: if u take me home.

Image Credits
Native Giants Nairie Aintablian Roxy Faith Alexandria