An energizing punch of lyrical genius, contagious melodies and an upbeat perspective on life and love.

13 MP3 Songs
URBAN/R&B: Soul, ROCK: Funk Rock



Details:
About Jake Smith

By Kristen Kane

In the Deep Southâ where a fusion of soundsâ tastes and electricity collideâ emerges a band that embodies the richness and eclecticism of the New Orleans culture. A fusion of funkâ soulâ R&B and rock blend harmoniously to create the sounds unique to a band named for the front man himselfâ Jake Smith
I had the pleasure of sitting with Mr. Smith over a chilled cup of coffee to get a little background on his musicâ and he generously shared some of his inspirationsâ influences and life experiences that alchemized together into the kaleidoscope of what his music embodies.
First of allâ if you are reading this and you havenât heard Jakeâ you need to stop reading and put it in your ipod immediately. Before you ever get to the chorus on songs like âThis is certainââ or âThese thingsââ you will instantly find an unparalleled attraction to every word Jake speaks or sings and vow to play the record constantly. There isnât a song on this album that wonât hook you. And I know from experience.
His music has the calm reassurance and wisdom similar to that of John Mayer with some infusion of lyrical genius and wit like Jason Mraz and somehow he ties it up with a little R&B urban flair like that of Anthony Hamilton.
Howeverâ so unassuming is Jakeâ that in our chat laced with slight caffeineâ he mentioned some influential greats like Ray Charles but he claimed no similarity. And with his usual tendency toward the unexpected he mentioned his once allegiance to the band âBush.â This again is Jake.
Not just one box. Not just one way to play.
âI just write what I feel. And I can only write what I know.â
âBut surely from the great city of New Orleansâ you must have some attributes from the culture around you?â I asked with a need to get to the source of his magical powers.
âI canât say I grew up following my dadâs musical genius or that I use to sit outside of local jazz clubs in New Orleans and acquired some kind of transference of greatness. Butâ itâs almost like itâs in the waterâ that if you get close enough to the music of the cityâ you some how get affected!â Jake leaned back and adjusted his cabbie cap. âWe just have fun and donât take ourselves that serious.â
And Jake may not take himself that seriously. But he does evaluate his musicâs purpose with a deeper intent than just entertainment.
âWe arenât just another band to listen to. I hope people hear our music and are led to change.â
And change it would definitely bring. Lyrics from real life experiences that somehow bring hope to a dismal situation or just an upbeat outlook in general. And Jakeâs laid-back Louisiana style is shared by his band matesâ Jared Morvant (Keys and background vocals)â Chris Arceneaux (âSkinsâ to the hipper crowd) and Darren Phipps on Bass.
The combination of these musicians (who in their spare time actually enjoy each othersâ company)â is a phenomenally energetic performance that has graced the stages of clubs and churches alike across the country.
With an album on its way out and touring for 2007 lining upâ Jakeâs completely genuineâ down to earth attitude seems surprisingly cool and collected.
He knows who he isâ where heâs goingâ and that life experiences are all a part of the journey to get there. Before we parted waysâ I asked him if there was any particular hangout or restaurant he liked in New Orleans the best.
He just smiled and saidâ âI like hanging at home with my family and my Dad makes the best Jambalaya.â