We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Jane Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura Jane, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk taking is at the core of my career and what i do. It is the nature of the beast with being a creative. I remember years ago driving across the country from New York to Los Angeles against my parents wishes to pursue my dreams. It was not that my parents didn’t want me to pursue my dreams they were afraid i was going to be all “alone” in LA with no real support. That was a risk and the ultimately the catalyst for alot of my thinking then on. Beyond that as a creative i think to truly delve into your art taking a risk is at the heart of that. And actually taking a risk is necessary.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a musician and vocalist at heart and have been my whole life. As my career has evolved i do many things within the realm of music at that point. I produce projects, i mentor young people, i contract music projects for variety of people and things. I still sing, write and perform globally. In terms of getting to where i am today, i would say persistence is the reason. We all get knocked down and discouraged as this business is not for the weak. The key is to get back up and be okay with “reinventing” yourself as well. I feel grateful that i have been able to evolve. I think it is super super important to recognize when change is needed or necessary. That can be a really tough challenge and sometimes hard to face.

What i want the world to know about my brand is that i run my own company called the Laura Jane International Vocal Studio and basically i am open for business!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think to truly experience the beauty and all that Los Angeles has to offer there are some musts! One is the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, The Self Realization Fellowship at Lake Shrine, (Ghandis’ ashes are here, the only place in North America) . I highly suggest driving and hanging out in Malibu and Zuma. Malibu has a very interesting energy out there and has always has a mystical and spiritiual vibe. including check out the Malibu Hindu Temple, you literally feel like you are in a different country. In terms of restaurants there are definitely some classic places that are historically just TRULY Los Angeles. Casa Vega is an iconic Los Angeles restaurant, Jitlada is an iconic thai restaurant with a michelin star – dont miss this spot, run dont’ walk! In Santa Monica i highly recommend Blue Plate Oysterette and the new spot called Lucky Yu. Everyone should hit the beaches in Southern California in general, maybe Laguna or just Venice Beach to experience Venice Beach. There are so many things to do i could go on and on and on !

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?
Wow what an interesting question to ask. I am a bit flustered on how to answer this because clearly there are so many people, groups, organizations and books i could mention. First i would mention my family, in particular my big sister Dorothy Jones. She has been a rock, a confident and there for me especially in the last decade as i navigate some of life’s biggest decisions. I also want to give a shout out to my deceased college professor Walter Dallas. He was the head of the theatre department of where i went to college UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS in Philadelphia. I mention him now because his name has circled around me recently in the last year, as i have met new friends who were colleagues of his. He held such a high standard and really cared about his students, his mentoring me was unmatched. It was also back in college when some ideas were birthed that are finally coming to fruition for me now. I want to give a shout out to the unions that protect us artists like Sag-Aftra and The American Federation of Musicians too, i have recently gotten support from the Musicians Performance Trust Fund to launch a new project. So i owe a thank you to them. Lastly i definitely need to acknowledge The Autobiography of Angela Davis. I am re-reading this again this year in hopes of finally launching and producing my own woman play about her.

Website: www.laurajanemusic.net

Instagram: www.instagram.com/miss_janejonez

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-jones-b436b18/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sweetlaurajane1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mizzlaurajane/

Youtube: @laurajanesmusic

Other: instagram: kingcolelegacyexperience facebook: kingcolelegacyexperience

Image Credits
Photo credits by Mike Quain of Quain Photography Photo credits by Michael Hart of Hart Photography Logo by Kim MClean

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