‘INDIE SOUL JOURNEYS’ SHOWS SPIRIT OF PERSEVERANCE
BY TIA CAROL JONES
John Jointer has worked on “Indie Soul Journeys” for the last eight years. Jointer was a fan of the music created by independent artists first. He wasn’t moved by the commercial music he was hearing on the radio, so he started to “dig in the crates.” He was searching for different music and sounds that personally spoke to him as well moved him.
John found this connected community of independent artists who were creating music unapologetically, not answering to any kind of gatekeepers. “They were making music that spoke to them and in return, it began to speak to me,” he said.
The more John dove into the music and learned about each individual artist, he started to get introduced to other music, other artists and other musicscapes. He discovered there were untold stories there – the challenges the artists had creating music outside the “mainstream.”
Those artists John discovered were still creating a niche for themselves, still having a fanbase and still able to live off what they were passionate about. It was an amazing opportunity for John to get to know the artists and tell their stories.
As John was trying to tell the stories of these independent artists, he realized that he was on a similar path as an independent filmmaker.
“I was just a fan of the music and a guy who was just arrogant enough to think I could pull this off. But, smart enough to recognize that I didn’t at that time, possess the skill set to do it,” he said.
John started to surround himself with people who had the gifts, skills and expertise he lacked. He steered the ship and leaned on those individuals to create “Indie Soul Journey” docuseries. The artists who are featured in the docuseries did the same thing.
One of the artists featured in the doucseries is Eric Roberson, who had early critical success. He had to create a pathway as an independent artist. Eric Roberson is seen as the blueprint for how other artists can be independent without the major label backing. Roberso has encouraged and inspired other artists. The shared spirit of independent artists, musicians or filmmakers, is one of courage to do what they love and not let anything or anyone stop them.
Other artists featured include Sy Smith, Maysa Leak, Frank McComb, YahZarah and Avery Sunshine. Singer Will Downing serves as the host and narrator of the series of Season One.
“All of them are passionate about what they do, they love it, just like I do. And, I think everybody will really appreciate and be able to connect with their stories. Because who doesn’t have a dream,
who doesn’t have something they’re passionate about, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make that dream and that vision come true,” he said.
John wants the stories to inspire others and see themselves in the stories. He described the stories as human stories. He wants people not to shy away from their dreams.
John, who was divorced and had found a place for himself and his two children, moved back into his mother’s house to pursue his passion of making “Indie Soul Journeys.”
“Be inspired to move forward on whatever it is that’s burning inside you that you really want to do,” he said.
The prevailing theme of the docuseries is overcoming. John hopes the stories featured in the series will give people that push, aspiration, inspiration. John wants people to walk away believing
they can pursue their dreams.
John founded 3919 Filmworks to house “Indie Soul Journeys”, as well as other projects and visions. The goal is to create human stories, stories that connect with people who look, walk, and talk like him.
We should take advantage of this new social climate, where our stories are being embraced a little bit more than they have been in the past, and the value of our stories, are being acknowledged and embraced a little more,” he said. “Value that you and I have always known was there. These stories are relevant and necessary and they have transcended skin color.”
“Indie Soul Journeys” will have a live event component, as well as a podcast. The series is available on WTTW. For more information, visit indiesouljourneys. com.
