Today we’d like to introduce you to Larysa Jaye.
Sarah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story… there are so many ways to approach this. Do I start with the pastor’s daughter in the KCK phase? Do I start by picking up a guitar at 16? Do I start from becoming a single mom at 21? Do I start from when I had twins at 25? Do I start from when I got married or after I got officially divorced six years later? It’s like how do I wrap all of my life up and give it to you with a pretty bow? (laughs)
Let’s start from me finally leaving the four walls of my room when I was about 24. I finally decided to hit up an open mic at a local spot down in Cummins Station. It was called LoveNoise and they did it every Sunday night. I knew it was a heavy R&B/neo-soul type of vibe, but I took my guitar and my songs and did it anyway. I was nervous and knew people would wonder what this black girl on this acoustic guitar was about to get up and sing.
So, I am happy I did. I went once and got a great response. I kept going back week after week as much as I could. Eventually, the gentlemen running it asked if I wanted to do my own show. I was like heck yeah! Had no idea how to do it, but I just made it happen. So funny that as I was preparing for that show, I knew I was exhausted and emotional but had no idea why. Come to find out a little after that first show that I was pregnant… WITH TWINS!!
Of course, I took a break during my pregnancy and for about a year after I had the twins. After that, I decided to switch my focus and head down into the heart of the Nashville music scene. I hit up writer’s rounds and more of the typical songwriters nights around town. Same songs, different audience. They were received with just as much enthusiasm as when I was doing the LoveNoise open mic.
I was running all over town doing all these free gigs. Mind you, I have three babies at home. I was in school and just trying to find my place in the world professionally and musically. Eventually, I burnt out. I was living with my parents and knew I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing because it wasn’t working. I wasn’t making any money and plus I wanted to be grown and have my own space for me and my kiddos. So, I went back to work a 9 to 5, moved out, and put my music on the back burner for a while.
I eventually connected with a band and started doing corporate gigs. So more of the wedding scene and big galas or whatever. I ended up marrying the founder of the band and we started a life together. I was able to quit my 9 to 5 and focus on being a mom. It was a space I’ll always be grateful for. During this period, I slowly began peeking my head back at the artist’s life. I knew it was something I would get back to; I just didn’t know how or when.
I had a girlfriend reach out to me, actually while I was engaged, who managed a few restaurants in the Nashville International Airport and she asked if I would want to start playing at one of the restaurants there. Of course, I said yes! I went in to do a 3-hour gig with about 10-12 songs of originals and covers altogether. I would repeat them over and over. Needless to say, I had to learn a lot more if I wanted to make some money.
So I did. Performing in a space where no one asked you to be there, but you show up and make them feel like they should give you money, is not an easy task. But I figured it out. I grew soooooooo much at the Gibson Cafe. I learned my guitar better, I learned how to sing without blowing my voice out in an hour, I learned how to interact with people (which I already have a diverse upbringing, but opted to jump past the part for the sake of time), I learned how to work that space like the back of my hand.
During this time, I got married, had a baby, and then watched my marriage completely fall apart. It was not an easy period in life. I was faced with becoming a single mother again, but this time with four children. It was really embarrassing and I felt like a failure. My ex was quite a bit older than me and so many people were not supportive of our marriage from the get-go. So with all those thoughts happening in my head, I felt stupid and like I was a horrible decision-maker. I will say though, that it taught me so much about life.
It especially, taught me, to respect and empathize with others. Many people had no idea what I was walking through because I’m a pretty private person when it comes to struggles and personal life. So in this, I learned to never size people up or judge others, because now I know what it feels like to be tired and isolated and just in need of personal space.
Thankfully, through all of that, my music career never suffered. It actually has blossomed. That airport gig grew me into a full-time musician. Brought other opportunities and my hustle outside of that gig just added to what I was building. I am now supporting myself and my family as a full-time musician. It’s something I always dreamed of doing. I was just never sure how I was going to get here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, I think I may have gone a little overboard on the story because I included quite a few obstacles and challenges during that part of the interview.
But navigating life while maintaining a positive image is important to me. I know we live in a day where everyone wants “the tea” but that’s just not how I’m wired. I don’t mind being transparent as I can be. But what I don’t want to do is undermine or intentionally hurt others because of my need to tell my story. Whether it’s my ex-husband or associates that I don’t deal with anymore or snakes in the industry, I never want the focus to be on the hurt; I want the focus to be on the growth. When I share I always want to know what is the win of me discussing this. Will this uplift others? Or am I just venting because I want people to know who did me wrong?
Parenting – doing this and raising kids is not easy. I have a super busy schedule. But what I remind myself is how busy my schedule was working a 9 to 5 and how little time I had with my children on that schedule. I would literally wake them up at five in the morning send everyone off to school/daycare and go to work. Eventually, pick everyone up by six or later. most of the time. Go home, dinner, showers, bed. Nothing else.
Then every other weekend they’re gone. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for parenting. So when mom-guilt kicks in I remind myself everything is ok. And I’m super blessed to have a schedule that allows me to be present a lot more than I used to be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Love Me Down (ep) Larysa Jaye – Live at The Hidden Room (ep)
Forbidden Heart Club Blues (single)
Take Me Home, Country Roads (single)
Birmingham (Side by Side) – (single)
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Hmmm… well, I always save the four kids for the surprise, but since I already spilled the beans on that. Something surprising is that I played violin in elementary school and was part of the All-City Orchestra. And I played tenor sax in middle and high school first chair the majority of my years. Also, I love to eat. That’s it.
Contact Info:
- Email: larysajaye@gmail.com
- Website: www.larysajaye.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/larysajaye
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/larysajaye
Image Credits
Nita Nashville Photography and Wendy Binns Photography
