Career Spotlight: Jacob Bannon (Deathwish Inc)
Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
My name is Jacob Bannon, I am a visual artist, designer, musician (Converge, Wear Your Wounds), and business owner (I am the co-founder of the Deathwish Record label). I’ve been involved in the underground music community since I was a teenager, and I’ve been making art since then as well.
What drove you to choose your career path?
Necessity. No one was helping our band when we started so we learned to do things ourselves. I was already interested in visual art by that time and I gravitated in that direction, whereas our guitarist, Kurt Ballou, became interested in the engineering/recording world. He later started God City Studio. Soon after that, our band started running into label issues. Our tour manager and myself started Deathwish as an alternative label option for Converge at the time. Though our band remains quite active, we’ve extended into these other aspects of the music world. I’ve continued working in both the fine art and design world, much of it rooted in the independent music world. If anything drove me down a path, it is/was the band, the people around us, and our collective vision.
How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?
I created it over time. I kept working in artistic styles that interested me. I believe that education/experience isn’t something that you “get” can through a degree from an institution. It’s something that truly develops over time. Like a creative style or skill set for some it comes fast, others slow. Personally I graduated from high school early and then travelled the U.S. on my first tour. I was just a kid at that time, around 17. I feel I learned more on that tour than I did in school. I did go on to attend college and earned a BFA in Design. I am glad I did, but it was a small part of my education.
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
I have a variety of responsibilities so it varies from day to day. For example in the last week I’ve been working on paintings for an upcoming art show, video editing a project for Deathwish, writing descriptions for upcoming Deathwish releases, and I also had two recording sessions for two different musical projects. Though my days vary, they are always rooted in something creative.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
I’m not sure as I don’t pay much mind to what others think.
What are your average work hours?
I’m averaging about 8-12 hours a day, 5-6 days a week at the moment. I use to work more before my son was born, but now I try to spend as much time with my family as I can.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
There are no shortcuts in what I do really. I just let things happen naturally as I personally cannot force creativity.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
I only know a few people that have similar responsibilities. Likely our days are similar. A weird ebb and flow of multitasking, etc.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
None really. If I have time and am able to work on an interesting project, then I take it on. If I can’t fit it into my schedule, then I pass. It’s as simple as that.
What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
There is no “worst” part really. I could delve into the negative aspects of things, but I feel it’s not constructive.
What's the most enjoyable part of the job?
Being able to share art and music with others, as well as champion musicians that move me.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
I couldn’t survive on any one “job” I have, it’s the sum of them that allows my family to live. I’m not sure, I suppose that’s up to how hard someone works?
How do you move up in your field?
Dedication.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Do what you love.
Thanks for your time, it’s appreciated.