Having a successful career in music is not easy for most aspiring performers, especially for those also trying to pursue a college degree. 

However, a lucky few manage to make it past the obstacles and produce a meaningful career, and one of those students is Jason Hoover, a senior at NC State, who is currently working on producing his next EP when he isn’t busy studying to finish his English degree. 

Hoover decided to take a break from NC State to pursue music as a career, finding success along the way. 

“I took time off from State for six years working on my music, and now I’m back finishing my degree,” he said. 

Hoover, who is currently working on a new EP, released his first full-length album, “Bedroom Tracks and EPs,” in 2012. The album is available in CD form and on iTunes. Hoover has also performed on live on stations such as NPR and WUNC.

Hoover describes his sound as having a lot of jazz and funk influence, with some rock as well, as he likes to draw from different genres. In regards to the EP, which is set to be released in the next couple of months, Hoover said listeners can expect a much more mature style. 

Hoover got his start performing at bars near NC State’s campus, such as Churchill’s in Five Points. The young musician said playing in the Triangle comes with both struggles and triumphs – the biggest challenge being getting his name out there. 

“If you start playing bars enough, people don’t really want to hear original stuff most of the time,” Hoover said. “Then you play bigger venues a lot of the time, sometimes playing for 30 or 300 people. So sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s not so great.” 

Hoover said that it can be discouraging in a saturated market where there are so many ways for artists to get music out to people, as well as a lot of ways for people to get music for free. Making money is a continuing struggle that all upcoming musicians have to face, Hoover said. 

Once he graduates, Hoover hopes to sustain himself doing what he loves. 

Hoover said his love for music began at the age of 12 when he started listening to roots blues artists like Robert Johnson and 60s and 70s music like Led Zeppelin. His goal is to dedicate himself to playing full-time for a while. 

When a singer-songwriter friend of his had an open mike night, he tried it out and then decided to start doing gigs himself.

Songwriting for Hoover is all feeling. He said that for him it’s not a systematic process, but an organic one. 

“I just kind of sit down and start playing guitar, come up with a melody or a few chords,” he said. “Then I’ll try to match the lyrics and melody accordingly to the overall feel. Sometimes I like to match it up in a way the sound will be happy but has sad lyrics.”

Hoover said one of his favorite songs is the title track of his new EP called “Eleanor.” The overall sound has progressed from his older material to his current work in this song, which adds a level of sentimentality to the song.  

“I think now that I know my limitations as far as a musician what I can do and what I can’t, my songwriting has really progressed to a new level with these songs,” Hoover said. 

His friends and mentors agree with his talent as a musician. Alex Granados, a writer and friend of Hoover, has a strong admiration for his work.

“He has a really unique sound, not really what you would hear listening to the radio,” Granados said. “He has become much better at songwriting, a better musician.”

Hoover said he has also expanded himself to working with other artists in the Triangle area. He said he is partnering with one of the members of Windsor Oaks, a Raleigh band, on the new EP.

Ultimately, Hoover wants his music to say something about the human spirit. 

“I guess that we’re all flawed, we’re all human, and that’s alright,” Hoover said.