Jared Robinson: Multi-Talented Producer Joins Multiple Arts Boards
Jared Robinson is a lot of things. He's a business owner and an entrepreneur who runs Nebulus Entertainment. He's a producer who has worked with many of the most talented artists in the province, he's a film maker, he's a photographer, he's a composer who recently wrote the score for a theatrical rendition of Edgar Allan Poe's life, he's a graphic designer with countless breathtaking film and album covers under his belt, each one distinctly his own. He's a musician who plays with both LunarTheory and The Scott Benson Band. He's a superbly versatile artist, seemingly capable of creating anything.
Jared Robinson has a pretty outstanding resume; and now he can add Board Member to the list.
At the start of 2018, Jared accepted positions on two different local Boards of Directors; one with Tourism Moose Jaw and the other with the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre. This, to go with the position he already held at SaskMusic.
It seems like a guy whose life mission is to make the world more entertaining would be the perfect fit on advisory boards for centres dedicated solely to making the world more entertaining. Somebody with a history of success in the arts and culture world on a board whose goal it to make arts and culture a success. A popular, multi-talented figure to work with figures honing in on the talents. Who else is suited for this type of work as naturally as Jared Robinson is?
The arts world is known to be full of dreamers, protagonists and people who think a bit of skill is all it takes to get them to the top. But Jared Robinson is not one of these persons. He's got skin in the game. He is acutely aware of what it takes to consistently create art that people love. We spoke with him about his vision for Tourism and Arts in Moose Jaw, and got the down-low on the day-to-day travails of the city's premier recording engineer.
Jared (in helmet) in the studio with Above the Crown
Give me a run-down of where you're at now; the projects you've worked on recently; and what they were about?
My roles differ so much from week to week. There could be a half-dozen different projects co-existing at any one time, and although I don’t plan to have it play-out that way, I do prefer it. Having more than one creative project existing at once.
I currently have two rock projects, and a pop artist recording in the studio, but am also working on some sound design for a stage play. Tonight’s recording session will involve some voice-over work and music design for a commercial that was hired out to me by an advertising company. I’ll be shooting two photo shoots this weekend for singles that we’ll be looking to release to radio shortly. Beyond that, I am meeting to discuss a partnership with the sponsor of a local sports organization, in order to provide some exciting new visuals.
Clearly, you've got a particular vision, that's obvious of anybody as entrenched in the artistic world as you, so it's no real stretch to imagine you've got a particular vision for the Cultural Centre, Tourism Moose Jaw and SaskMusic. In what direction would you like to see these ventures go?
I have a vision, sure. Whether that vision differs from the other board members', I don’t know. From what I’ve seen so far, there’s been a strong interest in positively moving forward as a community, and to find ways to better each of the organizations. Each of the boards that I am serving, are quite different from one another. SaskMusic (Saskatchewan’s Music Industry Association) runs a tight ship. Joining that board was a matter of publicly getting involved in an industry that I feel I am already working hard at. I can’t say enough about the hard-working staff at SaskMusic.
With the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, I’ve always believed that the building has the potential to be so much more than it is. It has the space needed to house programs and events that could eventually lead to it feeling like the cultural “hub” I understand it was meant for. I believe it’s our city’s culture that will leave a lasting mark on future generations, as well as on the city’s tourism.
I have spent much of my life traveling to other parts of the globe and have seen the embrace of culture. I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone that when budgets get tough, it’s the artistic/cultural elements that usually get looked over. These elements are not only what will make our community what it is, but our country. I am obviously a huge supporter of our arts and culture.
When you are a part of these boards, what do you actually do? What does being a board member entail?
I had a conversation with someone about this yesterday. I admit that I had been skeptical of getting involved for some time. Why? I’ve been involved in other boards, and I believe in POSITIVE CHANGE. Some boards can have largely debated topics that don’t end up making large enough changes to a policy or problem. It can be slow and often frustrating to find that a board can be hand-cuffed by non-existent budgets, etc. Largely, a board might be reviewing policy to help pave the way for positive movement in the future. It’s been important for me to remember to have patience, and to have respect for the process, but you can bet that I’ll be pushing to see tangible differences wherever possible. Spending countless hours on something that doesn’t bring about positive change would soon feel like a fool’s errand.
Jared produced Xana's debut EP and created it's artwork.
Aside from this, what have you got in store for 2018?
The creation of personal goals is important for me personally. I’ll be continuing to pursue my own creative outlets, as well as helping my artists do the same. I’ll be working to create some more visuals in multiple platforms, and will hopefully continue to build my relationships with the companies that are allowing me to do more of what I enjoy. Besides that? You can bet that the Robinson’s won’t be able to resist getting away again. We set a record in 2017 and visited San Francisco, Hawaii, Orlando, New York, London and Paris. This year? Who knows.
What kind of work was involved in building your studio? Give me the highs and lows of running your own production business.
It’s difficult to go into the specifics of what makes my studio what it is. I’ve gone to a great deal of trouble to make it into what I’d like it to be. That being said: Even last year, you could find me making large improvements to some of the sound treatment and several design changes in the room. The studio has been allowed to evolve, and because of that: So have I. I think my artists feel a certain amount of pride working with me in this space, and that helps me believe that I have made it into what it needs to be.
Business highs and lows? Obviously with any personal business, you can expect slower times. I’ve found ways to stay busy in multiple platforms, and I don’t know that I could solely count on one without the other anymore. So much of what I do requires the other aspects of my career to make it into what it is, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to put my skills to work in our community.
Recommend three things: A book, an album and a movie
A Book: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
An Album: PVRIS – White Noise
A Movie: This is a tough one.. How about: Ex Machina
Watch Jared's Film "Worlds Between Us" below