Today we’d like to introduce you to Brendon ‘bird’ Jackson
Hi Brendon ‘Bird’, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m from Detroit, MI aka Motown. I remember my dad would play his records, and I would pretend like I was performing with them. Some of my favorites was when he would play Queen, Terrence Trent D’Arby, Michael Jackson and Prince. I remember my late uncle playing his sax, and I would call myself trying to play it behind him. As just a small child, I was soaking all of this in. But it wasn’t until a few years later that music would begin to forge its own relationship with me.
In middle school, I started learning to play the bass. Well, around that time, I started to write music and poetry myself. I also started to have these dreams of doing this with my life. But I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready for the work, the accountability, and whatever else came with it. I did a little bit of writing for a few artist after high school, then eventually left everything music behind. I started to pivot my focus to the tech field. It’s funny to me now because I went from the kid that literally bought every copy of Vibe, The Source and XXL, to barely caring what was going on with my favorite artists and genres outside of what was dropping.
In 2019, I started this podcast called The Fade Up Podcast which was largely inspired by barbershop talk. I knew what podcast where but I listened to maybe 1 or 2 up until that time. But if you know me, I have a A-type personality when it comes to stuff I’m interested in, so I studied it for a year. I bought books, online programs, did research on how to promote and market, looked up equipment, etc. It was a really fun time that lasted about 2 years. But once it came to an end, I kind of had this recharge for doing something creatively. Around the same time, I started collecting vinyl. I wanted to go back to having this intimate feeling with music. Now, you don’t have to listen to one album or even one artist. I can listen to a song by someone and never listen to anything they put out again. With a record, I have to pay attention because I have to flip it. I have to hold the actual record and its sleeve, so I get to look at the art and read the names of the people involved. It took me back. So I started to get ideas about how I can look into getting involved in music from a different side, perhaps the business side.
In 2022, I was laid off from my job with a mortgage company and it was at this time, I thought why not see what happens if I apply for work in Atlanta. I’ve been wanting to move here since I was a kid. As a black person, visiting down here and seeing the amount of black wealth, politicians, decision makers, I had never seen anything like that before. Even coming from Detroit, we have the politicians but not the wealth and decision makers too. That always left an impression on me. Whatever it was that came over me this time said now is the time to do it. And if I don’t get a hit back from anyone, at least I’m still at home. I was offered a job down here, so it was time to make a move. I spoke with my daughter, who was 12 at the time, because it was important that she knows my plans and how that would change things for us. She had primarily been with me since she was 5, so this was going to be a big change for both of us.
I decided that in coming down here, I was going to reenroll in school , and focus my plans on a record store idea I have. I decided to attend Full Sail University and earn my bachelors in Music Business (I’ll be graduating in May 2025) and in my pursuit, I started to have ideas for other things music related. The desire of wanting to help people get that same excitement about music again, combined with what I learned from people I would bump into who work in music down here, I wanted to do something in the meantime that I can give to everyone else. After a conversation with my cousin, I developed this meet up called Waxxed on Waxx Record Club. I spoke with Darryl, the owner of the historic Moods Music in Little 5 Points, and secured a space to meet up the last Sunday of every month with the concept that we invite other music fans out to discuss our favorite artists and their music. The first record I chose was Sade’s Stronger Than Paradise, which drew a pretty nice crowd. Since then, I’ve had other popular turn outs when we visited discussions about OutKast’s Aquimeni, Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun, and Prince’s Purple Rain. I’m actually in the process of revamping our topics and discussion so follow me on Instagram (@waxxedonwaxx) for the announcement of future ones coming soon!
As I got back tracking and studying the business and history of music again as my passion, along with research from what I have been learning in school, I started noticing trends in the direction of how the music business was going. I recognized how much recognition an artist can get in the streaming world, yet still be working a 9-5. Because of the internet and social media, I began to realize the other avenues an artist can take on the indie side of music, retain complete control over their music and image, and make a solid living. I begin to get an idea of what other outlets exist out there, and in what ways can I contribute to helping artist grow that way. And ironically through my Waxxed on Waxx Record Club meetings, I met my boy Quinton, who pitched this idea of creating an indie radio station whose ultimate goals aligned with mine. That’s when we created Indie By Nature Radio, a radio platform that is dedicated to the growth and promotion of indie music in genres such as hip-hop, R&B, house/dance, Neo-Soul and Jazz. We’re still building out the platform because we want it to be a full fledge station. So we’re going to have more segments, more shows, etc. But make sure you follow us on IG (@indiebynatureradio) and click the link in the bio to check us out or download the Welove.radio app and search for us there.
I know most people might say why radio, a seemingly dying platform, but here’s why. Because we’re tapping into a space that hasn’t been tapped into before. We want to do more than just play music. We are going to expand to helping artist with connections and services, workshops, access to free or low cost resources through the partnerships we’re building within the community. Indie By Nature Radio’s intention is to be the hub for indie music in Atlanta.
So make sure you turn in and ride this wave with us. And come out and show us support at our first event, Cre8tive By Nature on December 7th at Cre8tive Suites @ The Plug ATL. This is a partnership between Indie By Nature and Cre8tive Effect. We’re going to have a music showcase with some up and coming artist around the city, a fashion show, and local vendors selling art, clothing, and food and when the showcase is done, we’ll be partying for the rest of the night. Come support some dope creatives and enjoy some great vibes! Follow us for more info!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s always challenges in creating anything I think. Just getting an idea off the ground is one of the biggest struggles. Like, you have an idea to do something, but a lot of times, have no clue how to get it accomplished. The best thing I can say is to just do it. Life has a funny way of bringing things to you when you start getting movement going. Also another struggle that comes with being in a creative space in the people. Creatives tend to kind of move at their own pace, so you run into people with a lot of good ideas or the want to, but you quickly find out how serious someone is when you start actually doing the work. And my largest struggle is self. You’re going to have doubts, fears, whatever. Some days you’re going to work nonstop, and other days you might want to do everything, but struggle just to get up and get going, but that’s natural. Anyone who I look up to goes through it to. It’s a part of human nature. But focus on the outcome of your goals. Always keep that in front of you, and you’ll find your footing
We’ve been impressed with Indie By Nature Radio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned earlier, Indie By Nature Radio in a radio platform focused on independent music artists. If you know me, you know I’m not a an of traditional radio at all so a radio platform wasn’t on my radar. So when my friend Quinton approached me about it, I honestly wasn’t too keen on the idea. But the goal with me going to school and getting my degree, upon graduation I intend to be come an artist manager and consultant focused on indie artist. That’s where we aligned. So as he explained his vision to me, it made sense. What we want to do is become the hub for indie artist. Not only do we want to provide a platform for their music to regularly get played, we do interviews with artists and other creatives, we educate those artist, provide resources and network opportunities, and showcases where those artist can network and have the opportunity to take the stage and be heard! We’re in the beginning stages still of this thing, but we plan to grow this to more than a radio platform. We plan on being a major go to for the indie music scene. So make sure you follow our Instagram, indiebynatureradio and listen to us on the Welove.radio app. Look out for our stand alone app coming in the next month or two.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We’re throwing a major showcase on December 7th called Cr8tive By Nature that we are making a quarterly thing. So again, follow us on Instagram (indiebynatureradio) to stay up to date. If you wanna be a vendor, performer, or are a fashion designer looking for a platform at a future event, hit us up. We want as many people to show up as possible!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://welove.radio/radio/indie-by-nature
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiebynatureradio
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/waxxedonwaxx
Image Credits
Indie By Nature logo by New Foundations Media
All other photo credits courtesy of Brendon Jackson
