Rising Stars: Meet J.K. Halvorson

Today we’d like to introduce you to J.K. Halvorson.

Hi J.K., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got my first guitar when I was 16. I didn’t have aspirations at the time to become a musician but I played every day. It was never something I had to discipline myself to devote time to. Learning guitar was fun! Years later, I began teaching myself how to sing and play at the same time.

I don’t know what led me to want to get on stage for the first time at an open mic. I still at that time didn’t think making it into a career was even a possibility. I did not start with a voice that perked up ears and even had a family member tell me “You’re no singer.” But I kept doing it because singing and playing the songs that I had loved for so many years was enjoyable. After several years playing and singing cover songs at open mics I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing my songs. I hadn’t ever written anything before. The most I had ever done was come up with a few riffs here and there on the guitar.

How in the heck does one write a song anyway? At this time, I had moved out of Colorado for the first time and was living on the island of St. Croix where I was working on construction. The very first song I wrote was called “Down from a Mountain”. It was about the move, the events that brought it about, and the companionship on the island I had found when I arrived. This was a whole new dimension of being able to express myself and it was as tough as it was rewarding. It was on the island that I got my first few paid gigs.

I moved back to Colorado in 2018. I began reaching out to places for gigs and continued to write songs. I was getting gigs here and there but was still working a full-time day job. It wasn’t possible to get out and perform live for audiences during the pandemic in 2020 but last year my music career was in full swing. I played 115 gigs in 2022 and I am set on track to play more in 2023.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I struggle with the insecurities I have as a performer. I’m still trying to learn how to transmit emotion to my audience. It doesn’t matter if I played as well as I could. If the people there seem indifferent to my music it gets me to question my competency. I think that just comes with the territory of being an artist. I can also get discouraged by comparing myself to others who are more established than me. I can find myself wanting to create songs that I think others will enjoy instead of following my heart.

Of course, I’d like to do both but it can hinder the creative process. I’m always looking for ways to improve and I’m glad I have that drive but at the same time, the feeling of being satisfied is fleeting. All in all, the biggest struggles are internal as opposed to external. The feelings of inadequacy are enough for me to question whether my music is something of value or not. I have always been hyper-critical of myself and that proves to be my biggest obstacle.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a performing artist, I consider the space that I’m playing to be my canvas. My guitar and microphone are my brushes. My voice, body, and imagination are the paint. I’m known for my polished vocals and clean guitar work. I spend a lot of time on the lyrics of the songs that I write.

I’ve always wanted them to be something that, detached from the music, could be read and enjoyed as poetry. What I am most proud of is when an audience member tells me that they felt it. That’s what I’m looking for! As far as what sets me apart, there are so many incredible musicians here in Colorado. I’m not the most accomplished guitarist or singer but I do write my songs. They are unique and don’t fit into a distinguished genre.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
Oh boy, that’s both profound and tricky lol. I experienced sublime catharsis when listening to my favorite musicians growing up. I am always looking at how I can improve my craft as a musician.

Being able to impact people in a meaningful way is what matters most. I want my music to be poignant and heartfelt more than I want it to be something that’s just there to make you tap your feet. I want people to hear me, feel me, and tell me they can relate.

Pricing:

• $100/hr.

Contact Info:

• Website: jkmusicandvideo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.k.halvorson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdZ4mzOTuHnI_osPcuHsqcA
• Other: https://jkhalvorson.bandcamp.com/