We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jake Walters. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jake below.

Alright, Jake thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

This most recent project, a series of EP’s that make up a larger work titled “The Eighth House,” is probably the most meaningful to me right now. I really had the idea a long time ago, back when I was like a freshman or sophomore in my undergrad. I was learning about large-scale works of classical composers, like masses, symphonies, ballets, etc. I really wanted to create something like that, but with my medium of pop music. I later stumbled across an album called “Krai,” by Russian-American musician Olga Bell, which inspired me further, and made me want to make something that was heavily inspired by folk music, and explored society in a deeper and more scrutinizing way.

Over the years, various other ideas came to me, like the idea of including astrology, ie “the houses,” as well as exploring society through the lens of topics that have previously been seen as taboo or inappropriate – thus the Eighth House of astrology, which represents exactly that. I later decided on using a lot of folk instruments, like acoustic guitars, pitched percussion, and woodwinds, but I wanted to distort them so that they would be virtually unrecognizable, almost as if they had come from an alien planet.

I wanted the project to be challenging in every way. Challenging lyrically, challenging musically, challenging vocally, and even challenging for the listener, whom I wanted to grapple with the subject matter and come to their own opinions and conclusions about. It’s meaningful to me because I really felt like a kid again, making this music. I was playing, learning, and working so hard. In a way, after so many years of working in music, I felt as though some of that freshness and joy was missing, and this project really has brought that back to me. I’m so so proud of it, and am so eager for people to hear it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I really was born into a love of music. I remember so vividly dancing in the living room and singing at the top of my lungs with my mother to Michael Jackson CD’s, and even putting on my own concerts of NSYNC’s album “No Strings Attached.” I knew all the words and all the choreography. When I was 8, I finally got into private lessons, starting with the piano, and later adding on voice lessons. Later, I joined a local youth theatre, and fell in love with the theatricality and storytelling that singing could bring, as well as the incredibly modern and conversational sound of the musical compositions.

From there, I feel as though I gave myself over to my craft. I’ve wanted nothing but to do music since then, and I think I’ve accomplished that, by getting both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music, having played in bands, operas, musicals, choirs, anything I can get into!

I think what sets me apart from others is my eagerness to push boundaries, and try new things. I’m never satisfied with the answer that “well, that’s just how its done.” Why shouldn’t we do something new, if that’s what feels right? If doing things the old way feels right, then, of course, do that! But if it doesn’t – make your own way that does.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the fact that I can give something to people. But it’s not something physical, that will end up in a landfill. It’s an experience that goes deeper than that, and that they can always take with them. Going to watch a performance can be so life-affirming, so beautiful. I feel proud that I am able to participate in something that can do that.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Following my instagram, and listening to my music on Spotify, or other streaming services! I’m always posting updates about my musical journey, and so following my instagram is the best way to keep in touch and see what’s going on! Listening on Spotify generates revenue, of course, but also gives you the opportunity of sharing with your friends, and building my audience! :) I’ll link both of these below!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1FpAz4eBd5mYPYb9gGQRBS?si=o_9y8R59Q6C7E6cUz4nn6g
https://www.instagram.com/khakijake/

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/khakijake
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jakewaltersmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudKc64BaYWLveVddfK_LTA

Image Credits
David Pujol, John Gordon