Metal music to soothe the soul: interview with Jake Segura of ‘Citizen Soldier’
I started doing a deep dive into metal bands and their positive impacts recently, and though there are so many bands that are changing the world, there's always been one that stood out: Citizen Soldier.
I mentioned them in my "Mental Health Metal" article, but to recap: Citizen Soldier is a rock band that flutters around the rock, metal, and hard rock genres. They are well-known for lyrics that focus on mental health issues and their frontman, Jake Segura, is a therapist. The band was formed in 2016 when Segura was hospitalized for depression and wrote the lyrics for Let it Burn. Through their music, they work to fight the stigma of mental illness and create a community of music lovers that can come together in support of each other.
Due to scheduling difficulties and what's shaping up to be one of the busiest seasons, we decided to conduct the interview via email.
So, without further ado, my interview with Jake Segura:
Lori: Where would you say you get most of your inspiration from?
Jake: My family, my therapy clients, fans, & my own life experiences.
L: I read that you are from a small town in Utah and your musical interests weren't popular there; what was the turning point for you to decide to just go for it and start making music?
J: It was never something I thought would turn into a career. Our first EP was a one time passion project, seeing how people reacted to it online is what changed things for me.
L: What goes through your mind during the creation process and do you typically have a sort of goal for every song?
J: I try to start with a hook or a chorus, something that is an ear worm and would make a good billboard or T-shirt, then everything in the song is built to serve that.
L: Are there any songs that are closer to your heart?
J: Weight of the World, Always December, If I Surrender, Afterlife
L: What's the most rewarding part of your musical career?
J: Watching a song come to life in the studio & meeting fans and hearing their stories at shows.
L: Have there been any fan interactions that have stuck with you?
J: So many. More than I could ever count.
L: What messages do you want listeners to take with them from your music?
J: That they are not alone, there are people out there struggling with similar things ready to connect with them and stand by them.
L: How do you keep yourself grounded and practice self care?
J: Still a work in progress! Communication back home while on the road is key.
L: How has the experience of being the frontman of a band changed you and your outlook on life?
J: It’s taught me not to take myself too seriously.
L: Do you feel like you've made a significant impact in the lives of your fans?
J: I would hope so!
L: Have your fans made a significant impact in your life?
J: Absolutely! They’ve given my life more purpose!
Thanks again to Jake Segura for taking time out of his busy schedule for this! Be sure to check out Citizen Soldier and their new releases - they've released some fantastic new singles!
