Meet Jacob Cooledge | Musician & Concert Promoter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Cooledge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, how do you think about risk?
This question can have many different answers. If you are an entrepreneur, or an artist there is always risk involved. You really need to use your best judgement, and know what you can afford to risk. This does get easier to judge. If you keep the big picture in mind, and make the right steps to get there risks will get bigger. That being said the rewards also get bigger.

The first big risk I took was quitting my day job. I did this to pursue a more free lance career in the music industry. My main focus was so I could pursue my passion of playing music with more flexibility. I had to take a big pay cut at first. So it limited my financial flexibility, but it gave me time I need to work on what I want. Without that, I would not be anywhere close to where I am now. I have seen, and experienced growth with my band Beguiler. I have also seen, and experienced growth with my career working in the concert industry. It can be a long, and very stressful haul. Taking logical risks is worth it if it enables you to be more happy with where you are at, and what you’re doing day to day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the vocalist in a death metal/deathcore band from Toronto, ON called Beguiler. We officially formed in late 2014 but, things never really got started for us until more recent years we were still quite young. We are fully focused now, as apposed to before.

In the last year alone, we have quadrupled how many shows we do per year. We have been presented some amazing opportunities to play with bigger acts in our genre. In 2023 we released a song titled Unrepentant. It was dedicated to speaking out about the abuse, and genocide endured by First Nations communities in the Canadian Residential School system. These were federally funded schools ran by the church. The last one closed in 1996. We were able to raise money for a charity focused on helping the cause. The charity was called The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. We have hit many milestones as of recent and, we are working hard on our next chapter. We just finished a new album and it’s release has been our main focus as of late.

I have played in bands for years now. Since I was about 14, and I am 27 now. It is never an easy industry. It can be a really big learning curve. If you want to do music full time it is always presenting challenges. I have learned a lot through other musicians, as well as just experiencing it for myself. I’ve learned many lessons, but there is one that can be carried far. Always be humble, treat people well. How you would like to be treated. Don’t get discouraged, keep working hard. This can lead to many things being paid forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would say we would have to go to some shows. Big, and small. There are plenty of great venues in Toronto. I would take them to get cheap food, and drinks at Sneaky Dee’s. There are also a lot of spots to find around the city with unique themes. It depends on what our common grounds are! My idea of a fun week would be going to shows. Checking out different bars, and cafes. Maybe finding something different to do if there are any pop up attractions etc. There is an endless supply of things to do in Toronto if you have the time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think if you are working in any kind of startup or especially a band. Everyone close in your life is important. It is not exactly a normal life to be a young musician, or entrepreneur. People in your life need to be understanding of your goals, and motivations. Some people simply don’t get it.

My partner, and any band wife/girlfriend deserves recognition if they can give you that unconditional support. They are often in it with you making sacrifices themselves to help you pursue your goals, and dreams. This is a very selfless act.

My closest employer, and mentor also deserves the recognition for understanding my goals. They have taught me many things, and lent a hand when they could because they see how hard I have worked. Not to mention providing me opportunities to keep my head above water financially. There is a lot to this dynamic, it is rather special and I am grateful for it.

Friends, and family also offering their unconditional support does go so far. It is hard to always believe in yourself going through the motions. Having others in your life that believe in you, and don’t make you feel guilty for the sacrifices you make goes a very long way.

Website: https://linktr.ee/beguiler

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beguilerband/

Facebook: facebook.com/beguilerband

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzTJVhF5LrfKT0BSHiWCRRQ