We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Jane Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura Jane Jones, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I think what most people are not aware of in my business is that IT IS REALLY REALLY HARD and hard work. I feel like people really think this life is glamouros, and well? It isn’t , it just isn’t. The other thing that I dont think people realize is that this is a “trade” and that people like myself have studied the craft our whole entire lives. In other words…would you want to go to a doctor that never studied? I doubt it very seriously….
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I think about my journey I dont think any of it has been easy. Starting with the very first time I sang a solo in public when I was 5 years old! I remember being so nervous I was shaking. Clearly I overcame the nervousness and then it turned into my passion. I think getting to where I am today professionally has alot to do with the fact that I have studied my craft. I studied for years and years and years. Music, Dance, playing piano, playing guitar, writing poetry, short stories, singing and singing and more singing.
The biggest lesson that I have learned along the way is KEEP GOING, get back up, you get knocked down – GET BACK UP…never give up…forward motion, one door closes another one opens…..There is a flow in life, let things flow, trust the unknown and make sure you are using your third eye to guide you at times. Not knowing what will happen next I think is the biggest challenge in our industry. Our line of work is up and down, and that means you need to know how to survive and be creative when you in the “down” times….but the “down times” have so much value! You have to see that value and be okay with the value….
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh My gosh! Okay!
Must do’s in Houston for me are : Walking in Memorial Park, absolutely stunning when the weather is amazing!
Going to the Museum of Fine Arts on Thursday evenings when they have the discounted tickets. You must attend one opera at the Houston Grand Opera, such an eclectic quilt of pieces they do there and non traditional casting that truly represent the city of Houston. Go to the Houston Farmers Market. There are so many amazing places to eat, but I highly recommend LORO in the Heights, De Gama Canteen in the Heights, Lucille’s, if you love sushi – Handies Douzo – so so so good! The Harwin District is one of my favorites, for middle eastern food and goods, including Persian Food, Indian Food, and oils and spices! Love it over there.
Houston has so many cool places!!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes I want to do a Shout Out to Sam Dinkins III of Dinkins Music and Arts Foundation. I have been working with Sam for the past several months and learning more and more about what he does. He runs an amazing foundation helping young people through music. His speciality is African drums, and his outreach is to reach the underprivileged youths in the Houston area through music, like workshops and classes from professionals such as myself who care about the generation of young people and artists.
Website: www.laurajanemusic.net
Instagram: @miss_janejonez
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-jones-b436b18/
Twitter: @sweetlaurajane1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mizzlaurajane
Youtube: @laurajanesmusic
Image Credits
Mike Quain of Mike Quain Photography Ron Fontenot of Ron Fontenot Photography Kim Mclean of McLean Design