LA Music Review | Art, stories and advice
Raw, honest and empowering!
Hi Jake, welcome to LA Music Review! Tell us a little bit about you and your music.
When I was a freshman in high school I quit sports and joined choir because I had always loved to sing. I soon landed a role in my high school’s production of Grease. That started my love of musical theater. My junior year I was cast as the lead in Pippin at my school, which definitely solidified my career path in music.
I didn’t really find my place in the world until I stopped listening to who others thought I should be and started following my passion of writing songs and singing.
I was then accepted into the University of Michigan’s School of Music and have enjoyed my time as a part of the Men’s Glee Club and the elite Friars group. I’ve gotten to travel all over the U.S. to perform. Through my music I learn what I think and how I feel, how to express those things, and how to connect with others. When my songs move someone emotionally, I feel more alive.
Start streaming “Self-Destruction” right here:
Congrats on the release! What was your inspiration when you were writing this project?
This project was born out of my own heartbreak and difficult breakup with someone I thought was the one.
Released on December 24, 2021. The song “Self-Destruction” is a break-up song like my debut single, “Unwanted,” but it’s coming from a different head space. Whereas “Unwanted” explored feelings of rejection and longing, obsession over what went wrong, and the realization that you’re alone in the world, “Self-Destruction” is about embracing self-reliance and becoming empowered to set boundaries with the selfish partner that doesn’t value you and choosing yourself over them.
What lessons would you like to impart with your audience?
I have found that waking up with obsessive thoughts, like what happened to me during the aftermath of my breakup, was a great time to start penning lyrics.
Through the process of writing and singing about my heartbreak I’ve learned that everyone, no matter who they are, has dealt with rejection, loneliness, and longing at one time or another. I hope these raw feelings expressed in “Unwanted” resonate with everyone as they recognize the irony that because of that common human experience, we aren’t alone.
I’ve also learned that the way others treat us says more about their own baggage and dysfunction than about our worthiness to be loved. And I hope the self-preservation and self-love expressed in “Self-Destruction” helps people get to that place where they can recognize self-destructive tendencies and red flags sooner.
What is your favorite part of this body of work?
I believe “Self-Destruction” is my favorite song so far because it is more uptempo and represents personal growth and progression from the heartbreak first expressed in “Unwanted.” I like the idea of continually growing and improving and allowing others to participate in that journey with me.
Anything else we should know about it? Future releases?
My third song will be released in February of 2022 and will continue exploring my journey navigating the dating world and learning to love myself first and foremost. At the same time, I want to help shape a better future for marginalized groups and make a difference in the world with my music. Ultimately I’d like to use my art form to write and sing about issues that speak to the shared human experience and promote social justice.
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