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When an islander with a passion for underground music sent an 'off-the-cuff' Instagram message to a fitness influencer with one million followers, he never expected it would take him from Jersey to London and Dubai.
It takes a special type of person to decide to go it alone in an uncertain world. But if you are that person, then it is precisely because the world is uncertain that you see so much opportunity.
But many people do exactly that - and this week, we're sharing the stories of some of those in Jersey, starting with Jasper Crocker-Kilic...
How many people have messaged their favourite celebrity, artist or influencer on Instagram? A lot.
How many can say that their idol has replied, or even offered them a job? Not so many.
Jasper Crocker-Kilic is the exception to this.
He is currently working as an audio engineer on the ‘First Things Thirst’ podcast which was created by fitness model and celebrity influencer Mike Thurston, who has over one million Instagram followers.
Jasper was given the job after sending Mike an ‘off-the-cuff’ message asking if he needed any audio work done.
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His involvement in sound and music doesn’t stop there. Jasper, also known by his artist profile Dominus, is making a name for himself in the UK garage and underground music scene.
Jasper puts his recent success down to not being afraid to give things a go.
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get,” he said.
“If I never messaged Mike out of the blue, I would have never secured this full-time role working for him where I am transitioning between Jersey, London and Dubai, doing all the audio for his podcasts and YouTube videos.
“It is a dream job. I can genuinely wake up and say that I love what I do and never dread having to work.”
Jasper’s pathway into music started from an early age. He explained that he learnt the cello at six and the guitar at 12, before getting into electronic music at 16.
Jasper said he spent the summer after his GCSEs learning how to make music, starting out with Lo-Fi beats before making garage music at 18.
He explained that one of his recent releases titled ‘Sweet n’ Sour EP’ has been a big turning point in his music career.
“I pressed 300 copies of that EP myself and spent over £1,000 doing it, rather than just passing the music to a label for them to do it. I took a gamble doing it myself and I think I have gained some respect doing that.”
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While Jasper was born in London, he was raised in the Island and believes it is very easy to get “too comfortable in Jersey.”
“In terms of music, there is a good scene here and it is promising and growing as people are starting to do their own thing. But to make a career from being an artist, I think you need to put yourself in the UK or somewhere where it is thriving and you can be surrounded it.
“It is all about networking and having those conversations when you’re out and about. I think that is where social media comes into it too. I hate social media generally, but for networking it is great and it is paramount if you’re trying to do anything independently or entrepreneurially.”
When asked what his advice would be to others who are considering taking a chance and starting their own business venture, he said: “Always be true to yourself. Don’t compromise your values just for the sake of what is trendy. Make what you want to make and do what you want to do because that passion will reflect in the quality of your work. However, be strategic and don’t rush things.”
This article first appeared in Connect Magazine, which you can read in full below...
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