What happens when music stops being something you want to do and becomes something you feel like you have to do?For Jared Willemsen, the answer is simple: you keep creating—even when the numbers don’t make sense, the path isn't clear, and success feels years away.Jared Willemsen doesn't fit neatly into one musical box—and he's not trying to.From Smile Bro and his alt-pop sound to Neon Rejects, his experimental electronic project, and A Willa, his folk-rock outlet, Jared has spent years exploring every corner of his creativity. After nearly 200 songs, thousands of dollars invested, and years of fluctuating between hundreds of monthly listeners and just a handful, he's still going.But these days, it's less about proving that "next year" will finally be the year everything takes off. It's about creating because he genuinely can't imagine not doing it.In this episode, Jared talks about finding his sound, battling the pressure to succeed, stepping outside his comfort zone as a live performer, collaborating with other artists, and chasing a dream that includes one day headlining Lollapalooza.IN THIS EPISODE WE TALKED ABOUT:- Jared's three musical projects: Smile Bro, A Willa, and Neon Rejects- Why he's spent years making music even when the numbers haven't reflected the effort- His journey from playing drums as a kid to producing and releasing nearly 200 songs- Learning music production through Ableton, sound design, live instruments, and endless experimentation- His goal of creating monthly live showcases for artists who aren't quite ready—or comfortable—to perform regularly- His collaborations on the Hyper Folk project and Fight the Gray, and why working with other artists has reignited his creativity- The challenge of finding community and belonging within the Twin Cities music scene- His ultimate musical dream: building a sustainable creative life and someday headlining LollapaloozaJared's story is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful creative pursuits aren't the ones that make the most sense on paper—they're the ones you simply can't stop doing.🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Minnesota Music Note and get to know the artist behind the many sounds, projects, and ambitions of Jared WillemsenIf you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special.The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest!Resources:PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.onlineThe MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/Email: william@podcastcrew.online