Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaron Yancey.
Hi Jaron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town just north of Salt Lake City, UT. When I was a child, around three years old, my grandmother began teaching me piano. I played classical, jazz and began performing when I was four. I played piano until age ten. When I was 15, I got my first guitar for Christmas. I began to watch videos on YouTube to learn how to play. Mostly from my guy Marty Schwartz, I owe a lot to him and his free lessons.
At the time, I was big into skateboarding, and as we know skaters love rock n roll. I started to learn songs by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Cream. The blues aspect was what really got me hooked, cannabis was introduced into my life around the same time. I mean I’ve yet to this day been able to find a better combination than playing your instrument and getting a little toasty.
Around 16, I decided to start a band with some high school buddies. My homie Zach Rassumsen and his band Magic Flip would always be jammin at our local hang-out house and seeing them play really got me going.
My first group gigged around the Salt Lake scene for a few years. It was when I started college that I booked us a few tours up and down the west coast. Last tour we went on, I remember being in Seattle, after being on the road for a few weeks, checking my bank account and it read $1.98. The first few tours aren’t super glamours to say the least.
I spent some time living in Eugene, Oregon and did a few short tours with my buddy’s up there (big thanks to the Scuz Bros & Bryan Sumpter). I sent a tape I had made to a small label in Los Angeles called ‘All Welcome Records’ with some tickets and invited them to come to see us at the Whiskey a Go Go, which they did. We kept in touch and I moved back to SLC where I played in a group with some old friends. My Pal Jrad and I started a group called Ol’ Fashion Depot. After touring and playing around is where I really felt like I began to come into form with their help and inspiration, but Salt Lake just wasn’t cutting it.
I moved to San Diego and was signed to AWR where we recorded my first LP together. I booked a few more tours for myself. I had a lot of fun doing that, seeing the country on these solo tours, and sleeping in my little hatchback. I later then played in a group called ‘The Desert Spells’ which was an absolutely blast. Big thanks to Cory, Shawndell and Biggie. We were on tour when Corona hit and our last show in Denver never happened.
As of now, I’m 24 and have some very exciting things happening in the future. I as of recently have taken a spot in El Perro, a new group from Alive Natural Sound label fronted by Parker Griggs previously of Radio Moscow. Stayed tuned for 2022 tour dates.
Big thanks to all those that have helped me along the way. My parents, friends, family, my lovely lady, and The Break crew. Y’all are the best.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothin comes easy and nothin comes cheap. Anything really worth your time and effort there is bound to be some hiccups along the way. It’s just about managing them and keeping a positive mentality. We are capable of achieving anything as long as we don’t make excuses and hold ourselves accountable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I play guitar and sing, started writing songs in high school and have always been a big fan of Bob Dylan and John Lennon. I’ve always been a guitar player first and singer second. It took a while to develop my voice.
A big thing I think is being realistic with myself yet always wanting to get better. The cliche term of “never settle” is easier said than done. It’s hard not to get down on yourself but in this kind of field we are what we make of ourselves so any goals and achievements are all on us.
How do you define success?
Happiness.
Contact Info:
- Email: jaronyancey.booking@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaronyancey/?hl=en
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/7IoFD1Kbj4iWBSbQ9yB57J?si=oKLRL9qdRUGXW05H7VoNCw
Image Credits
@sundrenchedvibes @weirdhours
