Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Secondary Circuit


Seth Jacobs





Hi, it's nice to meet you, and thank you for taking the time to interview me! My name is Seth Jacobs, but my musical alias or "band name" is Secondary Circuit, even though I'm a solo artist.

I like to think of myself more as an aspiring artist or even an entrepreneur if you will, given that I've poured a lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears into the things I've created whether it's music, videos, short films, I like to do all that stuff.

Describe your style.

I'd like to think I have a style of my own but with a hint of certain genres or bands showing here and there. I don't like to really go by a specific genre, at least not anymore. Back when I started, I use to say, "Oh yeah, I'm in a pop-punk band," but nowadays, I don't really like to be subjected to a specific target or audience. If I were to be technical, I would say my music sounds like a mix of "pop-punk," "emo" (which I use very lightly), "pop" or even "indie." Being in a one-man DIY band has always made me more proud of what I've created, which is probably the best way to describe my style.


How did you get started in your career?

When I was 10 or 11, I picked up a guitar for the first time. One week later, I was playing the Star Spangled Banner on guitar at the 5th-grade talent show. I was hooked. Over the years, I've had my fair share of hiatuses from playing but always returned to it. I remember trying to start bands with my friends from middle school and high school on multiple occasions. It wasn't until I was 17 that I decided I was going to just do it on my own because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that it's easier to agree with yourself about what direction you want to take rather than relying on others' opinions. Scheduling and lives, in general, can also slow that process down. So I started Secondary Circuit at the age of 17, borrowed a guitar from a guy I worked with, obtained a cheap little used mixer for my birthday, and just recorded songs onto an old Windows 95. It did the job, but the quality was absolutely terrible. I don't know how I let myself get away with it! Were my ears not developed all the way back then or what!? It is what it is, though. I don't even like to consider it my "first album," though. I consider it more of a demo, if anything. It was called "Rabbit Punch." I don't have any clue as to why I called it that. I guess I thought it sounded cool?


What struggles or barriers did you face, or are you facing to promote yourself and your work?

That is a great question. Well, if there's one problem I've always had, I would say it's that I have too much of the opposite of an ego. My close ones like to say I'm too hard on myself often because I have a hard time accepting or feeling like the music I make is any good. But with each new song I write, I honestly feel like my music gets better and better and that I'm growing as a person. I'm proud to be humble with what I do, and I hope that I come off that way to others.

At the age of 24, I have to admit I've lived a lot more life than I would have liked to at this age. There's always been barriers and obstacles that I've had to overcome or that I'm still working through, but through it all, I try to make music and do what I love as much as I can. As far as the "promoting myself" aspect of it goes, I think it's just the timing mostly. Every day that goes by, the industry is getting more over-saturated by the minute. It's not always about talent, but more who you know or your publicity. I've always found that to be a bit of a pity. With that being said, though, I do truly believe that with time comes talent, and eventually, you will perk someone's ear. Someone that's a SOMEONE.


What life lessons have you learned, and how have they influenced your style?

I'm still learning every day. I'm trying to be the best person I can be and figure out who I am. I have learned some things, though. You can't take the opportunity for granted and you have to commit everything to what your dream is. That's something I struggle with. Like I said, I also enjoy making videos, short films, and things like that, so I've never really been committed to just one thing. Being interested in so many different hobbies (music, film, video games, skateboarding), it's only made me mediocre at all of these skills. I think that if I really just focused on one thing at a young age, I'd be flawless and successful at it by this point. A lot of life lessons such as honesty and selflessness have influenced my style, but I'm still a long way from complete selflessness. Like I said, I'm still learning.

Provide an example of your work that I can include in your interview.

I wish I could share these few new songs I'm working on (yes to everyone who is reading, I am working on new songs already, and I think they are the best I have ever made). See, I just put out a new album at the beginning of April, but I already feel like it's been so long, and I'm eager just to keep writing. I guess if I could provide one example, it would be a song from my latest album, "Not Another Tragedy." This song is called "The Ballad of Life and Death," and I'm very proud of this song. I don't use that word often either about my own music.


What is your website and social media for my readers to be able to follow you?

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. It's like therapy but fun.

And Thank you to all of you that are reading this. It means a lot to me. Remember, for those that don't know me, my band is called "Secondary Circuit," and you can find me on all digital streaming services (Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Amazon, Bandcamp, etc.) worldwide.

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