Meet Jules Martinez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jules Martinez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jules below.

Jules, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Actually I always thought music found me. It’s in my DNA, My dad was a musician back in the days.

Long story-short: I was 16 years old, back in France, High-school, 2004, Rock and Indie was everything. The Strokes, Jack White and The Raconteurs, Nirvana documentaries… You know it.

I really struggled making friends, and I saw these 3 dudes dressed just like Nirvana: You had the short guy with black and yellow stripes shirt and mid-long hair (guitar singer), The tall skinny dude (bassist), and the energetic weirdo (drummer).

Real quick I started hanging out with them, after school. The guitarist had a peavey guitar, and It was like a revelation to me: I HAVE TO PLAY THIS INSTRUMENT. Few weeks later, my mom helped me get my first bright red Cruiser by Crafter. Garbage, but precious.

Then, I tried to join the band of these 3 fellows. A one-night stand. They fired me a week after for no apparent reasons. I was too “focused” on studies. 20 years later, I’m still playing guitar (and other things) and I’m in LA. Not bad.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Jules, professional musician living in Orange County (Yes, Los Angeles for the non-locals).

I am lucky enough to be able to pay my bills with just music related activities:

Whether as a teacher (McCormick Music Lessons, Vqt Music Academy)

Or as a live/session musician (Top Rock at Brea Copper Blues, Whiskey at Stache West Hollywood, Buffett Beach at the Whisky A Go-Go, Regular worship music performer in Los Angeles, Streetmosphere show at The Venetian in Las Vegas and so on…). I also performed for a video clip promoting the iOS/android game Garena Free Fire.

On top of this, I’m an independent songwriter/producer under the name of “Jules Martinez” (“Babe Why Won’t you get me outta here”, “If You Wear a Hat”, “Blue” on Spotify and streaming platforms). Several singles and album on these platforms, currently working on a new release…

I wouldn’t trade my job for anything else. It’s definitely a hustle and you have to be constantly looking for the next gig or collaboration, mostly when you’re pretty new to the city (I settled in LA by late 2022). I’ve met so many talented and kind (also not so kind) musicians since I’ve been here. There is no other place like Southern California, whether you like it or not.

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?
3 things: BE KIND (don’t brag, don’t bully), BE ON TIME (communicate with your employers), DO YOUR HOMEWORK (don’t rely on the holy spirits of music). I would even say than talent is sort of, secondary, if you don’t have the three qualities mentioned earlier.

For anybody coming into the music business: If you practice your material, with the biggest amount of honesty and kindness possible… People will see it. It’s full of very charismatic mammals ready to take advantage of you or manipulate you.

Stay strong, try to stay in touch with friends who are out of the entertainment industry, Stay grounded. Stay true to yourself. Family is everything. Don’t believe in compliments, praises or bad reviews, critics. These things come and go.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
Staying creative and grounded in times where work/sessions are not coming. I struggle finishing my own art when there is no deadline given. So It’s a lot about self discipline and commitment.

I also fight a lot against my own thoughts when it deals with putting my own music live and finding the right partners for that. It’s a work in progress. but the need to legitimate my own material on stage is something that has been tickling me recently.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Gina Joy, Mauro Villalobos, Chandra Vece, Nina Cloutour

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Where does your generosity come from?

Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your