“I Just Wanna Live”: Jakub Chmelar on Breaking Free, Finding His Voice, and Turning Pain Into Power
- STAFF
- Jun 17
- 8 min read
By: Staff
Jakub Chmelar turns pain into power with “Speechless” — a bold anthem of truth and liberation.
There are some voices you don’t just hear — you feel them. Jakub Chmelar’s voice is one of those rare forces, merging raw emotion with theatrical grandeur to create something utterly unforgettable.
His latest track is more than a song; it’s a cinematic experience, weaving orchestral swells with confessional lyrics that cut to the core.
In an interview with him, we delve into the story behind the music, uncovering the passion, pain, and purpose that fuel Chmelar’s artistry. This is vulnerability turned into art, and performance elevated to emotional catharsis.
Scroll down to read the compelling interview.
Begin Interview:
Hello Jakub Chmelar, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. For fans just discovering you, is “Jakub Chmelar” your given name or an artistic name? What inspired that choice for your public persona?
A. Jakub Chmelar is my given name. I thought for a while about changing it, but since my song Speechless represents who I truly am and stands for visibility and acceptance, I decided to keep my real name. It’s part of embracing who I am and no longer hiding behind a mask.
Q. First and foremost, we have to acknowledge the stunning visual production of your music videos. The cinematography, styling, and costume design are breathtaking, a truly theatrical experience. And your voice!! The power and technical precision is absolutely captivating and breathtaking. It’s clear you have an extraordinary vocal gift. When did you first realize the strength and uniqueness of your voice, and when did you decide to share it with the world?
A. That was actually a journey. I always loved to sing as a kid, but unfortunately, people around me often told me to be quiet or “shut up.” So, I started believing that I wasn’t good enough. No one celebrated my voice, so I stopped sharing it and only sang when I was alone. It took me more than a decade to finally sing in public. I was scared and unsure if I was good enough, but something inside pushed me to do it. Even now, I sometimes doubt myself. But when I started getting positive reactions, I loosened up and allowed myself to begin discovering my style. I always loved musical theatre, and I feel like my voice fits best in that world. After trying other genres and not feeling truly connected, I realized that musical theatre is where I make the biggest impact.
Q. The lyrics “like a puppet on their stage / like a body without a name” are haunting. There’s an emotional weight to those words that feels incredibly personal. Is it safe to assume this is something you’ve lived through, and what gave you the courage to be so open and vulnerable in your music?
A. It is personal, but not only to me. I wrote it after realizing how much we are shaped by society, how we lose our voices and identities without even noticing. It was my story. I saw that I had become someone molded by others’ expectations and had lost my own voice. We are just told to blend in and follow the rules.
Q. “Speechless” feels like a release of deeply buried pain. After performing a song this personal, whether in the studio or live, how do you feel? Is it cathartic, exhausting, healing, or something else entirely? And how do you emotionally prepare to perform it?
A. Speechless is not just a song. It’s the story of many of us. It’s a fight for visibility and for the acceptance of who we are and who we want to be. It reflects a journey from past trauma to a present state of self-awareness and a future where I’ve decided to stand up and be unapologetic. While writing and recording it, I cried a few times because it came from a deep place of realization. It felt like a release. The emotions in the song aren’t just anger or joy. There are many layers. It’s complex, like life itself.
Q. Are there any specific lyrics in the song that hold a hidden or especially personal meaning for you, perhaps something your most devoted listeners might not catch at first glance?
A. “They wrote their headlines, told their stories, tried to shape the way I move, but I dance beyond their pages. I am the artist, I am the proof.” That’s the line I love singing the most. It speaks about how society tries to control and shape us, but I chose to dance beyond their expectations. I realized I had been molded into someone I was never meant to be. That line is about reclaiming my identity and voice.
Q. We were especially moved by the line: “no, no more chains / no more cages / I was meant to sing my song.” Do these words represent a future you’re striving for or a victory you’ve already claimed? What or who exactly were the ‘chains’ holding you back, and is that something you’re ready to talk about?
A. That line is a protest. It’s about being tired of the hate that surrounds the LGBTQ+ community. It represents the future I’m striving for, where I can finally live freely and be who I was always meant to be. The song and video are love letters to my community, but also for anyone who has ever felt silenced. The “chains” were societal norms, fear, internalized shame, and the environments that don’t allow us to be fully ourselves. I am ready to break free from all of that.
Q. The arrangement of the song is spectacular, from sweeping orchestration to delicate piano and thunderous percussion. Who was involved in creating that sonic world with you? Was this your original vision from the start, or did it evolve throughout the process?
A. I wrote the lyrics, but when it comes to music, I needed help. My friend and an amazing composer, Stoyan, wrote the music. I told him I wanted something inspired by musical theatre, and he delivered beautifully.
Q. There’s rich symbolism in the visuals: painted eyes, masks, flowers, even a red mask that looks restrictive. Beyond their striking beauty, do these elements hold deeper meaning? Are they reflections of personal emotions, identity, or transformation?
A. Absolutely. Each of the 14 looks represents something deeper. We start with a black suit, which symbolizes uniformity and social expectations. I break out of that into something more fluid and expressive. The flower mask represents beauty growing even in difficult times. There’s a scene where I have real anti-LGBTQ+ bill numbers written across my body, which shows how political our existence still is. The entire video is colorful on purpose, to represent pride and my community.
Q. One particularly powerful scene shows a group of people around you. It’s ambiguous whether they’re holding you back or propelling you forward. What does that moment represent, and do those people symbolize specific figures in your life or a broader force?
A. That scene is connected to the previous one, where I’m a needle in a haystack. The people chasing me represent society trying to pull me back into silence and control. It’s about all the forces that try to make you shrink. But I found my voice, and even though I’m still fighting them, I’m not going back.
Q. The final scene is unforgettable. You appear stripped of theatrics, in a simple outfit, crying beside the water. It feels raw and real. Is that moment meant to be interpreted as closure, surrender, rebirth, or something else entirely?
A. It was completely real. The moment the camera started rolling, I broke down. I had been holding it in, and the thought in my head was, “I just wanna live.” That’s what the entire song is about. I want to live freely, to be who I am, knowing there’s nothing wrong with me and there never was. That moment was both a closure and a rebirth.
Q. Would you say “Speechless” marks a natural evolution in your artistry, or did it emerge from a distinct turning point in your life or creative process?
A. It was a turning point. The song had to happen. It had been building inside me, and I knew that if I didn’t write it, it would haunt me. I had to share the message, especially considering what’s happening in the world today.
Q. Do you envision performing “Speechless” live? If so, would you adapt the staging or emotion in any way for a live audience?
A. I would love to perform it live. The staging would need to adapt, but I would make sure the emotional journey and message stay exactly the same.
Q. Can you share what your songwriting process typically looks like? Which instrument tends to spark the first ideas, and how does that influence the final mood of the piece?
A. I usually start by writing lyrics like poetry. It’s a release for me. I don’t usually begin with a melody. Once the lyrics are ready, my friend brings the music to life, and then I focus on shaping my vocals to match the emotion.
Q. The music industry can be a heavy place for sensitive, expressive souls. Have you ever reached a point where you questioned continuing, and what keeps you grounded and motivated in those times?
A. I haven’t questioned continuing so far. My goal is always to impact at least one person’s life or perspective. If I manage to do that, then I’ve succeeded. And based on the feedback I’ve received, it’s already happened. That keeps me grounded and proud of the journey.
Q. When it comes to producing your music, do you work from a home studio setup or collaborate with an external producer? And when it’s time to finalize the track, are you hands-on with mixing and mastering or do you bring others into that process?
A. I work with my friend Stoyan in his professional studio. I give him my lyrics and inspiration, and he takes care of the arrangement and production. Once that’s done, I record my vocals, and he handles the mixing and mastering. I fully trust his creative direction.
Q. From concept to completion, what was the most challenging part of bringing “Speechless” to life? What tested you most, whether emotionally, creatively, or technically?
A. The music video was a big challenge, but a beautiful one. We had a very tight budget and could only rent the studio for eight hours. What you see in the video was mostly shot in that one day. It was intense, but I loved every moment, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished.
Q. FYI, this is us giving you a standing ovation 👏👏👏. Truly. Thank you for letting us into such an emotional and intricate piece of your world. Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects, collaborations, or performances that your fans should be excited for? We’d love to help share the news.
A. Thank you so much. Right now, I’m focused on continuing to spread the message behind Speechless. A small documentary project is coming soon, answering the questions of why this song was made, why now, and why it matters. After that, I want to return to musical theatre, films, and maybe create some new, inspiring music.
Jakub Chmelar, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Jakub Chmelar’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about the creative process behind the music.
Now, click the links below to experience this incredible work firsthand!
