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Middlepoet, aka Aaron Jackson, is a longtime fixture on Jersey City’s spoken-word scene, having been a key part of the Waterbug Hotel collective earlier this decade and a continued presence at cultural events citywide.

Now the former Poet Laureate of Jersey City is embarking on a somewhat new chapter in his artistic career, with the recent release of his first official single, “I’m Tired,” which features a slightly reworked poem of his, “Things that are getting on my nerves,” over beats produced by Weerai Music Company.

We caught up with Jackson for some quick questions to find out more about the single, and where he’s headed next.

I understand music — or at least music in the form of having a proper single and all that — is pretty new to you. So how did this come about?

Like most poets, I have experimented with music and how my words could work in that medium for quite a bit of time. I love to perform with drummers and my wife (Lady Jay) and many friends are DJs and producers, so it is something that has been brewing for a long time. When Weerai Music Co. approached with the concept of composing and releasing a single of my poetry put to music, it all just came together.

The poem itself is pretty easy to relate to for any independent artist, musician or creative type struggling to get things rolling in Jersey City or elsewhere. And it seems pretty autobiographical. So, two part question: what experiences informed the poem, and just how autobiographical is it?

The poem is very autobiographical. Most everything that is mentioned in the poem happened during the time the piece was written. I lived in a loft with a bunch of artists and wrote the first draft sitting on a futon mattress which was my bed/couch at the time.

In the video, which was directed by Jan Tompkins and Melissa Pulicare, Jersey City plays a starring role. How important was having the city’s scenery, if you will, featured prominently?

It was of the utmost importance. The video is filmed in the 143 building, which is the building I lived in when the piece was written and the trains are the trains I took and still take to go to work and to see my family. Jersey City is central to the piece and so it was of great importance that the video display Jersey City as a main character.

What’s next for Middlepoet?

It seems like things are a go for singles number two and three. The ball is rolling on an EP and I am actively working towards getting a book deal firmed up. As for live performance, check me out when JC Opens Up The Mic on August 31 at The Distillery Gallery. Then, I am really proud of what I will be involved with during the Jersey City Studio Tour for 2010.

You can also purchase “I’m Tired” on iTunes or Amazon.