May 2, 2024
Not a 'Show Biz' Guy, Jason Gould Finds His Own Creative Path
Nicholas Dussault READ TIME: 8 MIN.
EDGE: Who did the EP cover for "Laws of Desire"?
Jason Gould: It's actually something I created using AI. I was exploring Midjourney art and I thought it was something interesting. I thought about the laws of desire, that whatever we desire we probably see as we know. The eye sees and it know what it wants, and I think desires.
EDGE: In a roomful of music icons, your mother is the most iconic one. Do you come from a musical home?
Jason Gould: I always loved music. I have always been musical. I was always listening to it, even creating it. I was a kid who would sit at the piano and come up with little melodies. But I never knew how to craft a song. I did take some piano lessons but could never understand the notes etc. It was like math to me. But I would hear things and try to find the chords. I created my own way to make it happen. I'd put stickers on the keys, colors, numbers. Now with technology you don't have to you do that. You can press a key and it will tell you what chord it is. I just come from a place where it's instinctive.
EDGE: Was there a lot of singing in your home?
Jason Gould: I come from a place where my mom is, as you say, iconic. But I never even opened my mouth and sing because I didn't want to be compared to her. I was always a very shy, introverted kid.
My mother didn't really sing around the house. She just didn't. I would sometimes be in the recording studio with her. I was around it all the time. I believe I was in her womb when she was performing "Funny Girl" on the London Stage. I guess you could say I was in it. (Gently laughs)
EDGE: Did you ever resent your mother's success and fame?
Jason Gould: No, I didn't resent it at all. Because I grew up in that world, I've seen it inside and out. I understand it. It's not at all the allure for me. I wasn't someone who wanted to be in the spotlight. I don't think my mother likes the public part of show biz either. She's also an artist and a creator. For me It's about expressing myself, creating and collaborating, making the music. If it doesn't reach a large audience, that's okay with me.
EDGE: Certainly nobody can call you one, but what are your thoughts on next generation Hollywood artists being called "nepo (nepotism) babies?"
Jason Gould: I don't really understand it. Many people follow in their own parent's professions. That's not unusual. There are some privileges and there are also some challenges. It does help to know people who know people who make music. But if your parents are in a certain industry, there's a good chance you're going to know other people in that industry. It was not set up for me in any way. I had to find my own people to make music. I chose to find this in my own humble way. For me, it's all humbling. I never even asked for the help.
EDGE: Who are your musical influences?
Jason Gould: My first ever favorite song was "I Say a Little Prayer for You." I had the little 45 of it when I was like 5 years old. And I had this plastic record player. I listened to it all the time. I liked the song "Up, Up and Away" a lot too." I liked The Police, Donna Summer, The Supremes, the Psychedelic Furs. I guess everything we love becomes a part of us. I'm not trying to be like anybody. I'm trying to follow my own influences, to just please myself. I've loved many, many musical artists not just in pop music. Jazz, world, and reggae. I guess this record is more in the pop genre, pop dance.
EDGE: What's next for you?
Jason Gould: I continue to write music. If I'm not making music, I could be making soup, or painting something, or making pottery. I'm innately creative. I always need to be making something. I think it's fun to experiment with food.
EDGE: What's your specialty?
Jason Gould: I don't have a specialty really. But I just made this vegan corn chowder. I'm not vegan, but I don't like dairy. I don't eat cheese. I don't like cream, but I do like ice cream. How's that for contradiction?
I have to go on creating. That's part of how I stay grounded and centered. If you are a creative person and you are not using that, it can turn against you.
EDGE: Are you single?
Jason Gould: I'm very single right now, but I'd like to find my life partner. Dating in LA, it's really hard. Oh my God. I don't go to bars so what do you do? It's all online stuff. I find it really sad how people are so disposable to one another. But I'm out there and I'm totally available to a wonderful relationship.
EDGE: Is it hard dating being the son of such famous parents?
Jason Gould: It was all a big challenge out there when I was younger. But I'm at peace with it now. We're all just human beings trying to make it in this world.
EDGE: And you have a good relationship with your mother?
Jason Gould: We have a lovely respect for each other. A deep love for each other. It's always real. It's had challenges, but we have a deep, honest relationship.
EDGE: If you were given the chance to do something over, would you take it? And, if so, what would that be?
Jason Gould: I'm not somebody who has regrets. That's where I've gotten in my spiritual life. I don't look at my life with regrets at all.
For more on Jason Gould's music, follow this link.