Meet Jacob Olson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jacob Olson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jacob , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

If I was asked this a year ago, I wouldn’t have had a proper answer to this question. But over the past year, I’ve learned that the best thing for my confidence and self-esteem is simply going through with things. Not stopping when I hit a slump creatively, doing the harder thing on my list first, and simply doing the things that are harder in order to learn & grow more have helped immensely. Practicing more gratitude has helped with that as well. I try to make sure I appreciate all those in my life who are important to me and being grateful that I am able to get up in the morning and use my creativity to make music.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My 9-5 consists of selling graphics/branding and working with owners, interior designers, and architects to shape a space. My passions outside of my day job are recording/producing music (for myself and others) and playing live shows. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with multiple Milwaukee bands playing a variety of instruments as well as doing my own shows. I am constantly trying new things in production/songwriting that I consider experimental and unique. I have many projects that will be coming out over the next year that I have helped put together including my own album under the artist name Hyer called Avenue Saints.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The thing that I’ve learned is the most beneficial to growing in my creative abilities has been connecting with people who have similar interests/passions. I have learned so much about different techniques in live music as well as producing, different artist that inspire my peers, and how to build a musical brand. Another area that has helped me in my journey has been understanding that when in doubt, learn it yourself. When first starting and looking at the cost of studio time with my college budget, I took recording/producing into my own hands and learned so much through all of my failures along the way to get to where I am now. This principle is one that I have carried throughout every roadblock in my music journey. Lastly, showing kindness and compassion towards others. Whether it be truly listening to an artist you’re working with on their vision and showing them that they are valued or simply showing support to local artists/peers by showing up to shows or helping promote their new material, acts of kindness like this go a long way.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

I read The Creative Act by Rick Rubin at the beginning of the year, and that book taught me so much about the creative process. My favorite idea that was presented in the book is that if you have an idea and you do not bring it to life/light, it’s not uncommon for that same idea/art to be executed by someone else creatively because it is that ideas time to come to light regardless of the initiator. This has helped me push through times of imposter syndrome/doubt because I understand that if it’s not me, this aspect of creativity will be done by someone regardless, so I might as well let it go out into the world to be heard.
Another lesson that has been helpful is putting the listener last. This is not to say that the listener/viewer of your craft isn’t valued, but that YOU are what comes first. You have to make exactly what you are looking to make regardless of the opinion of those around you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyermeplease/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-olson-6a145a159/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1GiU33sBkNqSLo7aa3c7B1?si=–S7Zx2JTfOIUNFqe1Ro_A

Image Credits

Austin Wood
Anna Oleniczak
Bobbi Knopp