Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Paxton.
Jeff, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’ve played music my entire life. I played trombone and guitar in concert and jazz bands from middle school through the end of college, but first started taking it seriously when I was hit with a freak nerve condition in 2011 that made me unable to play any instruments for a year and a half. After losing it for a pretty long period, I realized how important music was to me. Since then, I’ve been writing songs and playing in a couple of groups around town, and now I also teach music at YES Prep Gulfton High School and run the Houston chapter of Sofar Sounds.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
In the summer of 2007, as I was driving with a friend from New York to Lubbock, TX, I had a conversation that changed the way I make art. We both grew up listening to the great 90s punk and ska bands and going to shows where everyone was dancing and having a good time. In that car, we asked each other the question: “Why isn’t music fun anymore?” 11 years later, I ask the same thing. When I make music, I want each song to have two elements: 1. Meaning: What universal truth and I trying to convey in a new and creative way? What challenging concept am I articulating? 2. Fun: Does this song make me happy? Would I want to listen to it on a road trip with my best friends? Hopefully, when you listen to my music, you’ll say that I’ve hit the mark.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
Being a musician in Houston is really difficult. My wife Rachel and I did some traveling a couple of years ago with the idea of moving to a city with more infrastructure in place to help musicians succeed. We ended up deciding to stay so that we could be part of the movement that turns the city’s music scene around. It’s a really slow process, though, and the number one thing we lack is an audience. I’ve come across some amazing musicians and songwriters; people just don’t go to shows. It’s not part of our city’s culture. How do we change that? I’m still working on it… I do know that, as artists, we have to consistently put on great shows that can connect with a wider audience. This music scene isn’t going to turn around until artists begin thinking about music as connection and communication. Every day, I work towards that goal through Sofar Sounds, Minor League, and all of my other projects.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Two things:
1. I run a pop-up concert series called Sofar Sounds. We put on secret shows with really great musicians in non-traditional music venues around Houston. You can find out more info and sign up to attend a show at sofar sounds.com/Houston.
2. I have a really fun new project called Minor League and our debut EP will be coming out in July. Once we set a release date, we’ll throw an album release party with some other really cool bands. In the meantime, you can check out my old project called The Tomes on Spotify or anywhere else you stream music.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2522 Calumet
Houston, TX 77004 - Website: www.sofarsounds.com/houston, www.jeffpaxtonmusic.com
- Phone: 832-455-6009
- Email: jeffpaxtonmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: @jeffpaxtonmusic, @minorleagueband
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeffpaxtonmusic
Image Credit:
Navid Papan, Alejandro Porras
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