How Jason Gould 'Reclaimed' His Voice Through Writing Music and Why He Won't Go on Tour (Exclusive)

"I have to be true to myself," the singer-songwriter, who recently released his 'Sacred Days' EP, tells PEOPLE

Despite being born to one of the most legendary vocalists of all time, Jason Gould — the only son of Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould — had to find the confidence to sing on his own.

Speaking to PEOPLE for this week's issue, Gould, 57, opened up about how he learned to "reclaim" a part of himself that he once shied away from in order to pursue his career as a singer-songwriter.

"I sort of reclaimed my voice — and not just as a singer, but as a human being," reveals Gould, who recently released his Sacred Days EP on March 22.

Related: All About Barbra Streisand's Son Jason Gould

He explains that various therapeutic, spiritual programs helped him tap into his creative talents.

"I've always been a seeker, and I've been on my own spiritual journey, which included meditation and prayer," the "World Gone Crazy" singer says, adding that he's also "been in therapy" and "gone to 12-step meetings." "I learned a lot in those programs about reclaiming those parts of ourselves. Particularly, as children, maybe we pushed away or forgot about."

After embracing the concept of "reclaiming your hobbies," Gould picked up pottery — and then, naturally, he turned to music.

Related: Jason Gould Returns with New Album After Past Worries of Being 'Compared' to Mom Barbra Streisand (Exclusive)

The singer/actor explains that he felt as though he had to reject music as a child because of his mother's success. "I was very afraid of exploring that part of myself," he recalls, admitting that the eight-time Grammy winner wasn't even aware of his pipes until he shared his first recording, "How Deep Is the Ocean," with her in 2012.

Realizing that he wanted to "work through" that part of himself, he took a songwriting workshop, met other songwriters and started making music himself. "It just unfolded so organically," Gould says.

"To be able to express that part of myself was my goal really," adds the star, who went on to release his self-titled debut EP in 2012, a full-length album, Dangerous Man, in 2017, the Dark Grey Skies EP in 2021 and various singles, in addition to his latest release.

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Despite focusing more on music in recent years, Gould describes himself as an "oddball" because he feels a "need to create," but not to perform.

He shares that he didn't feel like hitting the road after the release of Dangerous Man, and doesn't now either. "I made a record with Quincy Jones, but I didn't go out and tour the world with it," he says of the 2017 project. "Most people would think, 'Why not? Why? That's what you should do,' but it didn't feel right for me."

The recording artist reveals that he simply doesn't get a "thrill" from performing. "I've heard people say, 'Oh, I feel the most alive when I'm on stage.' I'm not that guy," he explains.

"At the end of the day, I have to be true to myself and honor what feels right for me, because, otherwise, it wouldn't bring me pleasure," the "Laws of Desire" singer says. "And if it's not going to be pleasurable for me, then I don't think it would be good to experience or watch."

Related: Barbra Streisand's Cutest Family Moments with Her Grandkids

Still, Gould revels in memories of the times that he's gotten on stage with Streisand, whom he joined on her 2012 worldwide tour to sing a joint performance of "How Deep is the Ocean" in front of tens of thousands of fans every night.

He explains that he enjoyed the experience simply because he was doing it for his mother. "It wasn't about me. I was just showing up to be of service and be the vessel of this music, and be there with her and have that moment with her," the recording artist shares. "It was a very private moment — it just happened to be in front of 18,000 people."

Although Gould says he used to feel "anxiety" when releasing a solo project, he no longer feels "insecure" about what he creates. Rather, he describes it as "an accomplishment."

Like the journey he's taken to feel even more confident as an artist, the musician says that, above all, he hopes fans feel "a moment of peace" in listening to his work.

For more from Jason Gould, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.

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