Jeremy Bowen Interview With Colby

Jeremy Bowen stopped by for a chat!

Hello, Jeremy. Your debut single ‘Change My Heart’ is deeply personal—what was the turning point that led you to write this song?

— Thank you! So in August of 2023 I got fired from my job at this call center. I was at a point in my life where I had given up on music because I told myself it just wasn’t meant to be. But then I stumbled on this picture of myself when I was 17 after I’d gone out on my first ever little audition and I literally said “what happened to me?!” I was this kid that always dreamed of being a pop star and I’d let bullying, bills, life, and insecurities kill those dreams. If my teenage self saw that his future was a desk and not a tour bus, he’d never forgive me. And that thought of just letting myself down like that and realizing I really didn’t have anything left to lose anymore lit a fire in me.

I’d tried things my way for 32 years and here I was with nothing to show for it. I’d hopped from job to job, school to school, telling myself my dreams were unrealistic and I had to just grow up. But really I’d lied to myself because I was too afraid of failing to ever really go all in. Jesus says the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy and that’s exactly what I’d let happen to me because I was so insecure. So I literally looked in the mirror and said “Okay God. You win. I surrender. From here on out I’m doing things your way.” I didn’t know how I was gonna do this or even what it is I needed from God, I just knew I needed help and He had the answer. And that’s how the song was really born. Just me having that wake up call and having to get very honest with myself about why I was in this situation.

You describe your music as a blend of country, worship, and modern pop—how do you balance these influences in your sound?

You put on a song to meet a need– whether its to feel something or stop feeling something or express something you can’t quite say with words, even a good party song has a purpose. Worship and Country both have this authenticity to them at their core that the music just doesn’t work without; so I just lean into my real feelings for that. As for the pop elements, pop has the problem of being hot today and cold tomorrow because in a month there’ll be another catchy beat by someone younger and hotter. So if you don’t actually have something to say, its harder to stick around as a pop singer. It becomes all flash and no fire. So I try to capture that catchy pop sound that you cant get out of your head, but bring the authenticity that country has and put God at the core as the anchor to kind of make this musical sandwich. I’m a singer first and foremost so I want to make sure I’m vocally strong, but ultimately it’s always me asking myself “If this came on the radio, would I listen to it?” and finding that sweet spot. If the hook isn’t stuck in my head, it’s a pass.

Faith plays a big role in your songwriting. How do you hope your music resonates with listeners, regardless of their beliefs?

I want to make songs that I can always be proud of. I think that we’ve reached a point where entertainers have so much cultural power that we need to be more intentional about what we’re consuming and also what we’re putting out there. I want my music to connect with people in a real way that makes them go “yes this song is for me I needed this!” whether its a sad song to ugly cry to or something to dance around the kitchen to when you have the house to yourself. But I also want my music to be accessible to people, I write my songs to be easy to sing because all the fun of music is getting lost in it. It’s important to me too that you don’t have to change the station because a Jeremy Bowen song comes on but your kids are in the car. So I think what I want the most is when my album is done playing, people turn it off and feel spiritually “full.” Whether they needed to dance, or cry, or rest, or pray, or be distracted — they got that.

What was the most challenging part of bringing ‘Change My Heart’ to life, both emotionally and musically?

Honestly? Believing in what I was doing. I have a collection of eviction notices in my closet as keepsakes from last year, and the first thing I did when I found another job last May was throw myself further into debt to get this song done! I know how crazy I must’ve looked to everyone. I’d had so many long talks with God and my mother about if I was doing the right thing, but I really had to put my own faith to the test. If I truly believed God could do anything (and I did) and I truly wanted this to happen for real (I do), then I couldn’t shrink back this time no matter what it looked like. I had to do whatever it took and even on my worst, hardest days, ignoring every cell in my body screaming at me saying “this is never going to actually happen.”. But Change My Heart is a real prayer I said to God, especially the bridge. And it’s me choosing to believe that He really is my God who’s defeated everything I’ve gone through. And ironically, that was harder than writing the song.

As an emerging artist in the country and faith-based music scene, what are your biggest goals for 2025?

I want a record deal! I have so many more song ideas that I’d love to do an album for, so just trying to get the attention of a good label is the next step. I’m still working 40 hours a week and just kind of writing and getting songs done when I can, but I’ve got another song in the oven right now so I’m hoping with this one I can show people more of what I’m about and what to expect from me.