Jared Hallock is a dedicated craftsman of effortlessly charming, pleasantly unusual tracks laced with delightful doses of absurdity. The mind behind Project213, this songwriter, composer, producer, and publisher is one of many accomplished artists contributing to the vibrant, kaleidoscopic Boise, Idaho music scene.
Now splitting time between Boise and Nashville, Hallock has planted creative roots in both cities. His songwriting continues to flourish through collaborations with a diverse range of artists around the world, while his personal catalog evolves with fearless eccentricity—breaking genre rules and bending expectations. In Hallock’s musical universe, avant-garde aesthetics meet tongue-in-cheek storytelling, and each song flirts with the limits of what music can express, where it can transport fans, and how deeply it can captivate.
“My Destiny,” released under Jared Hallock’s own name, is far from a solo effort. Through a deeply collaborative, tech-enabled process, Hallock tapped into a global network of artists to bring the track to life—melding voices, ideas, and sounds from around the world.
This song captures the nervous inner monologue that creeps in when ones standing face-to-face with fate. Inspired by whisper-driven production like the Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song)” and Snoop Dogg & Pharrell’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Hallock layers sultry spoken-word whispers over a slinky bassline, eerie whistles, and West Side Story-esque snaps. The atmosphere is surreal—grandiose, mysterious, and strangely familiar.
Despite the narrator’s attempt to play it cool, there’s a sense of awe, even disbelief, at finding his “destiny” beside him, “chilling out” and “sharing smiles.” Whether destiny is a shimmering goal, a long-awaited love, or something more abstract—Hallock leaves that beautifully unresolved, inviting the listener to decide for themselves.
Dada-esque absurdism—defined by its embrace of chance, spontaneity, and, of course, absurdity—makes it the perfect stylistic match for the “My Destiny” music video. Brought to life through a uniquely animated, collage-like design, the video unravels a universal tale of yearning, with the insecure narrator at the helm. Everyone has been there—trying (perhaps a little too hard) to impress someone who isn’t exactly paying attention. In this case, the object of this tennis player’s affection is a girl who soaks up the spotlight, her radiance enchanting everyone around her. But to the narrator, she’s not just dazzling— she’s his “destiny.” This surreal love letter unfolds like a rom-com, full of humorous moments and intriguing details, all culminating in a nail-biting tennis match. After all, tennis is a game of love, and this player is determined to prove that he is the one—the only one—worthy of her consideration. Does he win the match? Does he win her heart? Step onto the court of this surreal romance to see where the serve lands.
You’re known for blending charm with absurdity. How did that become your signature approach to music?
I’ve always been suspicious of taking life too seriously. Charm lets you connect. Absurdity keeps you awake. Life is weird — like falling in love in a tennis outfit while plummeting through space — and also deeply real. That tension between heartfelt and hilarious is where I feel most at home creatively.
So when I write a line like “You best believe it, I’m chilling out with my destiny,” I’m leaning into both wonder and play. I want my music to hold space for both the mess and the magic — because most days, we’re carrying a little of both.
Tell us about the title, “My Destiny.” What does this phrase mean to you, and how does it capture the essence of the track?
In the world of the song, Destiny is both a concept and a person. The protagonist is singing about someone named Destiny — their love interest — who also represents their ideal match. So when they say “Oh, I can’t believe that you’re still standing here with me,” it’s about awe, gratitude, and maybe even disbelief that something so right could happen.
The word “Destiny” carries both emotional weight and a touch of playfulness — it lets the listener decide if this is a love story, a life shift, or both.
Talk to us about the collaborative process of bringing “My Destiny” to life alongside artists from around the world.
The heart of the collaboration was the music video, and working with Scott Grady (Apricott Films) and Tom Sanford (Hal 13 Pictures) was where everything came together.
In some ways, it felt like a creative 48-hour film festival. I gave them a handful of springboard ideas — I knew I wanted tennis outfits, a cigar, and a tennis racket as props. I had a specific color palette in mind: purples and whites. And I knew I wanted the tone to be influenced by Dadaism — surreal, disjointed, and a little tongue-in-cheek. Beyond a few check-ins, I let the song and their intuition guide the rest.
Scott and Tom worked together as a true team. There wasn’t a rigid divide between roles — they shared ideas, made decisions together, and trusted each other’s instincts. Their collaboration felt easy and natural, and it brought a sense of cohesion to the whole video. I think that trust — between them, and between all of us — is part of what made the final result feel so connected and alive.
How did you go about drawing inspiration from other iconic “whisper tracks” like the Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song)” and Snoop Dogg & Pharrell’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot?” How did you make it your own?
Those tracks made whispers feel bold — like a way to grab attention by pulling back. But in “My Destiny,” the whisper isn’t meant to be heard out loud. It’s the protagonist’s internal dialogue — a private thought repeating in their head as they try to make sense of what they’re feeling.
It’s not about seduction or swagger. It’s about intimacy with yourself. The whisper became a way to show what the protagonist can’t quite say out loud yet — the quiet realization that this moment, this person, might mean something. That’s where the tension lives. The voice inside you saying, “This could be real,” even if you’re scared to believe it.
Who could you not have done the “My Destiny” music video without? What was your collaboration process like?
I couldn’t have made this video without Scott Grady and Tom Sanford. From the beginning, they understood what the song was reaching for — that balance of surreal imagery and emotional honesty — and they leaned into it in a way that felt intuitive and deeply thoughtful.
Our collaboration was built on trust. We discussed some key ideas — a few props, a color palette, and a general tone — and then I gave them space to follow their instincts. What they created was something that felt beautifully aligned with the heart of the song.
They have a natural way of bringing sincerity to unconventional ideas. The whole process felt fluid and connected. I’m grateful for their sensitivity, their craft, and how much care they put into every part of it.
What made a tennis match the ideal metaphor for this story?
Tennis has always been a game of love — literally. The scoring starts at “love,” which is both a clever detail and a poetic truth. For the protagonist, that felt like the right entry point — emotionally vulnerable, a little ironic, and entirely sincere.
In the video, the protagonist doesn’t go anywhere without a tennis outfit and a cigar. The outfit is how he wants to be seen — composed, well-coiffed, and ready. The cigar adds a bit of edge, a sense of rebellion or bravado. Together, they create this image of someone trying to hold it all together, even when they’re floating through something uncertain.
The tennis match itself represents that one moment in life that feels like a game-changer — the kind of moment where the whole world feels like it’s watching, and all you want is one predictable outcome. This is the moment the protagonist has been training for, even if it doesn’t look the way he expected. That’s what makes the metaphor work. It’s about preparation, pressure, vulnerability, and showing up anyway.
How did you infuse your unique personality into the visuals for “My Destiny?” Do you feel like the video represents your artistic identity?
I think my personality came through by just staying true to the music and the process. I didn’t try to control every detail — I trusted the song, trusted the collaborators, and let the visuals grow from that. The choices we made — the tennis outfit, the cigar, the surreal pacing — weren’t just quirky details. They were meant to show contrast. A character who appears in control but is clearly in a state of emotional suspension. That tension between image and feeling is something I return to a lot — in music and in life.
So yes, the video represents my artistic identity. It doesn’t explain everything. It lets the feeling speak for itself — and I think that’s where the real connection happens.
How do you feel now that the final product of “My Destiny” has been released? What aspects of the project are you most proud of?
I’ve honestly been watching the video over and over. Scott and Tom packed it with so many little details and easter eggs — it’s the kind of thing where you keep finding new layers each time. That’s one of my favorite things in any piece of art: when it keeps giving you more the deeper you go.
What I’m most proud of is that the whole thing feels true. We didn’t overthink it. We trusted the process, stayed connected to the emotion, and let the song lead. And somehow, everything — the sound, the visuals, the pacing — came together in a way that feels complete. It’s surreal and honest at the same time. I think that’s why it resonates.
