A Dirty Dozen with JACOB CADE from THE BRKN – August 2019

According to a recent press release: “It would be impossible to walk away from a Jacob Cade performance without being overwhelmed by the sheer energy he brings to the stage. Mixing old school rock and roll guitar shredding with dance moves straight out of modern pop, Jacob has tapped into a style that is unique and unexpected.  The multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter knew a life in music was in his future ever since he was eight-years-old when he watched Jimmy Page’s electric performance in the Led Zeppelin film, The Song Remains the Same. His band, Jacob Cade, has since gone on to perform at venues throughout Colorado, Texas, and Arizona, along with a national tour in late 2017 and into 2018 around 27 cities in the northeastern states of the US.” We get Jacob to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Good question! Not really too many Easter eggs in the song but there are some fun facts about it. One being how the “I hate your face” line came about. At first when Glenn Sawyer and I were trying to figure out how to make that bridge part pop out a little more and we were thinking of ideas. After a billion tries at it I just sang “It’s you, I hate your face.” And upon hearing it we laughed and thought “hey that actually could work!” So we put it on the track as a place holder but ended up keeping it and even throwing on that gang vocal! Fun stuff.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I had always been interested in music and instruments, things like that. They fascinated me for some reason. It wasn’t until I saw Jimmy Page playing the first song on the Song Remains the Same Led Zeppelin live DVD that I knew I wanted to be a musician. Changed my life. I was about 8 years old.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There’s been so many over the time I’ve been a musician that have inspired me to write songs a certain way: Led Zeppelin – Song Remains The Same live album; Slash ft. Myles Kennedy – Apocalyptic Love; Aerosmith – Any live record from them; Bruno Mars – Unorthodox Jukebox; Justin Timberlake – 20/20; Neck Deep – The Peace And The Panic and Life’s Not Out To Get You; The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep and Self Titled record. Those are the biggest game changers for me at the moment.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Slash, Aerosmith, Neck Deep, Michael Jackson, and The 1975 at the moment. They are always changing around! But these tend to stay heavily on the list.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

At this moment it would be Matty Healy from The 1975. I’m very fascinated by his songwriting and lyrical ability. It’s a bit of a mystery to me how his brain allows him to come up with the stuff that he does, as well as the rest of The 1975. I would very much enjoy being able to sit in a studio for a day and just get a feel for what his methods are to his incredible songwriting. Also seems like a cool dude to hang with!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say our music is a high energy mix of rock ’n’ roll Guns n Roses type stuff with pop punk styles like Neck Deep and All Time Low. Leaning more towards the Pop Punk what with the bouncy vocal melodies and catchy lyrics. As well as heavy riffs and guitar solos that come from the Rock n Roll influence. Either way, It’s in your face and fun! I respect everyone’s take on the band for the most part. But one time someone compared us to Greta Van Fleet and I wasn’t entirely thrilled about it. Nothing against the person or the band I just didn’t really agree with the statement!

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

The best thing about it is knowing my place and my outlet. Too many people I know have no way to express themselves in a healthy way and that’s sad to me. It must be very frustrating. I’m lucky to have somewhere to put all my feelings and emotions. Also lucky that it turns out to be something that people want to listen to!

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Fun question!… None of us in the band are really cooks but as far as food is concerned Aaron our tour manager and Mike are usually the first ones to suggest a food stop on the road or a food trip when we are just chillin. I’m usually the one to start handing out drinks and getting the party started lol. And Kick is definitely the first person to bring out the guitars…dude always wants to jam out! As we all do, but when it’s time to just hang out we like to take advantage of it. Doesn’t happen too much that we aren’t working when we’re all together.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

It was at the Gothic Theater in Colorado when I met Bonnie from Stand Atlantic. It was so embarrassing because that had never happened to me before. The only other time was when I ran into Steven Tyler at a movie theater in Nashville. Palms got sweaty, couldn’t finish my sentences. Was a total mess! Usually people are just people to me but there was something about her that made me get mad nervous lol. She was very cool about it though. We chatted for a while and talked about music and touring, stuff like that. An awesome moment!

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

If I wasn’t a musician my dream job would be to make hats at Nick Fouquet’s hat shop in Venice Beach, CA!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I don’t have many regrets on things I could control. But I guess the biggest thing for me would be that I wish I paid more attention to learning how to sing correctly earlier in my career. Never wanted to be a singer when I was younger, always just a guitar player. But now I wish I had been because I love it so much now. And it would’ve been nice to get a head start on that like I did with guitar.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would love to have been involved in the Appetite For Destruction Guns n Roses sessions. That record changed my life and the world of music if you ask me. Most of my favorite riffs, solos and arrangements came from that record and to be around at the birth of them would be incredible. I probably would’ve learned a lot. To think that that was their first record blows my mind. It’s amazing!

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Category: Interviews