Meet Joshua Jackson of Leo The Kind in South of Downtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Jackson.

Joshua, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Becoming an artist was more or less a road that I never really saw coming. When I was younger… maybe like nine years old, if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d say “a Mechanic.” I loved cars; I was amazed by their designs and their speed. It wasn’t until my cousins introduced me to a video game that shifted what I was passionate about. “Music Maker” was the title, and it essentially let you create full compositions using premade loops. I was intrigued by it, and would sneak into my cousin’s room to play the game when they weren’t home. Over time, my dad saw my interest in music and decided to invest in it. His side of the family was all into music, so it’s no surprise that I followed suit.

I got into making beats on the computer using a DAW (digital audio workstation) when I was 15, and I simultaneous self-taught myself the piano with a midi keyboard. I’ll stress that it wasn’t easy… I would copy melodies that I heard on the radio and try to replay them on my own. Eventually, I got to a point where my original melodies sounded decent. Then, after some time, maybe about a year and a half of creating at home, I was introduced to an actual studio environment. This was the point where I no longer became interested in being a mechanic, I knew making music was definitely my future.

For years, I was making music for local rap groups, not really seeing any real profit but I didn’t care, I loved it. When I was in high school, my design teacher introduced me to electronic music. He’d play house music while we were working in class. For the most part, I never really paid attention… until this one record by a major electronic artist changed my life. “I Remember” by Deadmau5, a beautiful house record that resonated with my soul. That night I remember going home and downloading a ton of house music and just studying it. This was the moment where I began to create compositions for myself, just me. As this door opened, the world of electronic music opened up for me.

My dabbling in the electronic music world was very successful and very rewarding. I landed my first EDM single as “IMAGIN8” with an indie electronic label by the name of “High-Intensity Records.” My song went viral and was played all over the world. Following that success, I landed a record label roster with Heroic Records, the same record label that founded the electronic music giant “San Holo.” A few successful releases with them spearheaded me into the position I am in now.

I was and still am in the studio all the time, the only thing that changed is now I’m singing and writing on my own records. For a long time I’ve felt like I could sing but I never really gave it a shot until about two years ago. After being in the studio for so long, you get really comfortable with yourself… and as I got more comfortable, the more I opened up. At the same time, I picked up electric guitar because it’s my favorite instrument to hear, and I’ve felt like I could play it if I learned it. I would always hear crazy riffs and tunes in my head that I just couldn’t do on the piano, so I knew I had to train myself on the guitar.

Fast forward to today, I have millions of streams under my belt and I’m currently recording my debut album as Leo The Kind. I hope to open my own studio in either Boston or on the West Coast where I can cultivate my own artist and eventually start a recording label. It’s my dream.

Has it been a smooth road?
I think that for what it’s worth, I’ve been on a very blessed path. Every step of the way had its challenges but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t recover from. My biggest challenge has been myself. Trying to outdo you is tough, and I’m very hard on myself. However, trying to overcome the depression and self-doubt that comes with artistry is difficult. There was a time in my life where I hated how I looked and sounded, I hated the hand me downs I wore, I hated my deep voice and my facial attributes. I owe it to the music that I’ve made and myself because I am now more comfortable and confident with my craft than I have ever been, and I strive to get even better.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a music producer at heart, and I feel that is my most valuable attribute as an artist. I find joy in passing on what I know to other artist finding their “sound.” I didn’t have anyone but myself when I was looking for my “sound” so I feel it’s only right that I help others get there faster than I did. Alongside music producing, I am a songwriter, I love a good story driven song. I like to visualize myself in the space that a great song sets and it helps me write too. I went to school for recording engineering at Full Sail University, so I’m able to engineer and mix my own stuff when I’m in the studio. It makes my workflow easier and it’s a great attribute to my artistry.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think in this day and age anyone can do anything, anywhere. I will say that Boston doesn’t have the most thriving music industry, but there are artists here… and it’s growing. My ideal place to live is in Los Angeles but, I’ve also told myself if I can make it where I’m at, I don’t see a reason to leave. Although every day, I’m leaning more and more towards LA. Boston just doesn’t have the industry like LA does or even New York. Such booming cities with so much to offer, it’s almost an overflow of opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leothekind/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leothekind
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/leothekind_95

Image Credit:
Carlvin Medar, Christina Vivada

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