Jake Smith

His last album, Real, proved Jake Smith to be one of the industry’s brightest up-and-coming talents. From out of nowhere, it seemed he seized each stage he was able to grace with his New Orleans influenced jazz-pop-rock sound. Plus his fun, catchy lyricism meshed well with the infectious musical material.

Now Smith is back with a new EP, showcasing a more somber, reflective side. We recently asked him a few questions regarding his career, his direction and what he thinks about his debut now that some time has passed.

SA: You’ve mentioned that the new EP is really focused on hope and the ability to find that in life’s circumstances. Were there specific instances that led you to want to focus on this?

Jake Smith: The last CD was based on huge events that I hope people don’t have to go through such as hurricanes, cancer, car wrecks, pretty much anything horrible. Those things aren’t every day occurrences, and it’s not as if once you go through such things like that then your life will be smooth sailing from there on out. This EP is based off of the everyday situations, politics, relationships, careers etc.

One thing that gets me through the catastrophic along with the everyday is hope. I have gone through a lot in the last year even in the early stages of my career and I have learned so much from these experiences. I don’t believe that failing is what causes people to give up, but when they lose hope it is hard to go on. So more importantly than succeeding in everything we do all the time… hope is All That We’ll Ever Need to reach the goal.

SA: How personal is this new record? And what about your writing in general - is this project more so?

Jake: This project is very personal. The last CD was very produced and upbeat and fun, yet a side of me didn’t come across. I believe that I am the entertainer and writer of fun songs yet there is part of me that sits home and reflects on life in a deeper sense, and some of these reflections came out on this EP. Over the first two projects I would say my writing has been me, both sides. I have written from the heart and I am looking forward to what’s next.

SA: Why an EP at this point? Why not extend this to a full length?

Jake: There were songs from the last cd that I don’t think translated as well as they could have. “This Is Certain,” for example, was a straightforward pop/rock radio single. I don’t think it got across the feeling of what the song is about. I also added a few lines on the bridge that were specifically about Hurricane Katrina. “Can’t Save Your Soul” was fun but again it had no feeling to it so we broke it down and just had a good time.

Also the first CD has not officially been out for a year yet so I wasn’t quite ready for another full length. I wanted to give a place for a few of these songs on a small EP so that they would not get lost on the next full length. I believe the song “Once Love” will carry over to the full length with more instrumentation. I have 12 more songs in the works that fit with that song on the next full length. It’s going to be old school sounding for sure and I didn’t think the folkier songs would fit. Plus it costs a lot of money to make a record. [Laughs]

SA: Do you find that the Internet age allows you to release projects like this? Some artists are ‘Album Artists’ and can’t seem to navigate these waters very well…

Jake: Indeed! The thing about the Internet and this day and age is people have so much to choose from. The rules of putting out one record a year and saving music for later doesn’t always work because people move on so fast. If I had the money I could put out a record every few months and be totally okay with that. That way people could pick and choose exactly what songs they like from me.

SA: When you think in terms of your career - is there an artist you look to and you want to embody that same trajectory or integrity?

Jake: I have seen many bands and have been let down by many people who I thought I would look up to and I’m sure I’ve let some down as well but I have always be fascinated by how Bono keeps his head on straight and does so much. It’s cool nowadays to help out in Africa and fight for a cause but I want to be someone who does it from the heart. That’s a fight for me in itself.

As far as ‘Christian music’ is concerned I would say Shawn Mcdonald. In the little I have gotten to talk to him he has seemed to be as genuine as they get. He is who he is and he doesn’t seem to get caught up with the mess of this industry. The funniest thing to me is a ‘Christian Rock Star.’ I hope people are never fooled to think that just because people play Christian music that they act like Jesus because that is rare. The genuine ones are out there but the road is indeed narrow. I hope I grow into the man God wants me to me and that I never become jaded or the opposite, let success go to my head. Integrity is everything in these days.

SA: Since this disc showcases an acoustic side, does this mean there will be an acoustic tour to follow?

Jake: I still play full band shows from time to time especially around New Orleans but I am doing a lot more of the two man acoustic game. It really showcases the music as well as the vocals… if you like my vocals. [Laughs]

SA: Now that you have some time and perspective to look back on Real, what do you believe now about that collection of songs that you didn’t before?

Jake: I don’t know if it is so much something that I didn’t believe before but with time the songs still hold up to be true. I have times where I have to revert back to the older stuff and actually listen to my own words to see how God has always brought me through life. I still enjoy playing those songs live; they just don’t get old to me. On a recording side of things I believe now that I could have sung those songs a lot better and put a little more feeling into them, but then again it was one of my first times recording so I can’t blame myself.

SA: And finally, what is coming up for you this summer and fall season?

Jake: This is going to be the busiest summer/fall season of my life. I will be gone the entire summer playing camps as well as random shows. The camps will be a change of pace for me but I always come away with something great. The fall will be full of tours. I will be playing a few full band shows but mostly acoustic around the country. From June ’til Christmas it will be nonstop for me, which will be good. Let’s hope I can stay in shape and not eat too much junk. [Laughs] I’ll start working on the next record some time in the winter.

• www.jakesmithmusic.com
• www.myspace.com/jakesmithmusic

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#1 MattConner.net » Blog Archive » S-A Interview: Jake Smith on August 29th, 2008 at 1:31 pm

[...] can read the rest of the interview here. Posted in Soul-Audio | Leave a [...]

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