We recently connected with Jacob Rountree and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jacob thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I was always raised with rather traditional career expectations. Although, since a young age I always found ways to monetize my passions whether it was competitive snow skiing, or photography, I never expected myself to leave behind the pursuit of a more stable option. I even graduated college with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and sought out employment for that.
The journey was not easy but I felt a personal pressure to give music my full attention and I just could not ignore it. Three weeks in to a “Dream” job of Mechanical Engineering, I was miserable, the company was terrible and the environment was unsustainable. I spent every hour at that job thinking of all of the more productive things I could be doing for music. That being said, I left the engineering behind and took my first go at full time music. This first attempt at self employment was nothing short of challenging, it was unpredictable and a large step backwards in my lifestyle, absolutely no financial stability to purchase anything more than celery and peanut butter or eat from the food that was provided at gigs. Throughout all the struggle I was happier than ever and knew that I was on to something.
Aware that I wasn’t using my time to the fullest, I reentered the engineering market, this time with an advanced material science, start- up company. Thankfully this employment got me through the challenging times of covid, as well as taught me how to think like, run and operate an organized, growing company. With the burden of Covid even over the companies head, I was forced to put that on pause as company investments were running thin.
This led to my current stint of Full time music lasting nearly 3 years now where I have multiplied my income for my previous attempt, I have released multiple music projects, performed several regional tours, dramatically grown my social media accounts and most importantly have found stability. I have loved finding the balance of business and art in this journey of self employment!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.
“His performance can be described as warm and comforting, almost like a welcoming hug from a family member.” – Gifted Balance Records
Jacobs contagious soul presents itself through raw vocals of impressive range and beautiful timbre, mesmerizing percussive finger-style guitar and a balance of catchy yet complex, polyrhythms. Rountree’s unique production style is that of Bob Dylan meets Pink Floyd, ranking the integrity of his music with contemporary artists such as Bon Iver, Ben Howard, and Shakey Graves
In 2022, Rountree released his second full length album, AS I SEE IT which was nominated top local albums, top 10 indie albums of TJPLNews and received copious write ups and reviews from around the world.
“Jacob Rountree presents us with a deep enigmatic work that transports us to another world. Rountree’s deep philosophical lyrics are poetry filled with deep introspection. They could be released as a separate booklet in their own right.” – Sinusoidal Music
While he has been nominated best solo artist and best folk musician of Bozeman, Jacob has been investing his time with building his full band’s (Jacob Rountree & The Somethings) reputation with multiple tours of clubs and festivals across the region.
Voted #1 Solo Musician in the 2022 & 2023 Bozeman’s Choice Reader Poll
Voted #1 Folk Musician in the 2023 Bozeman’s Choice Reader Poll
Voted Top Three for both Best Album Released and Best Musical Performances in the 2023 Bozeman’s Choice Reader Poll
TJPLNEWS Top 10 Indie Rock- 6/5/22
Main Stage at Sweet Pea Festival 2023 – Main Stage at Portland Rose Festival 2023 – Performer at Pig Out in the Park 2023 (Spokane) – Headlined Tractor Tavern 2023 (Seattle) – 2023 – Main Stage at 2022& 2023 Okanogan Barter Faire – Main Stage 2022 Schweitzer’s Fall Fest including guest feature with Moontricks – Main Stage Performer Montana State Hemp Fest including guest feature with Fortunate Youth – Support Act for Future Islands at The ELM Bozeman – Host of Summer 2021 Singer Songwriter Round Tables – Accepted in Montanas’s 2021 Drey Fest – Performer in Montana’s 2020 LWCFest – Headline Performer for 2019 National Climate March – Performer in Montana’s 2018 Labor Fest – Montana State University 125 year Celebration Performer (2018) – Acoustic Vibration and Resonance Prediction Research for Gibson Guitars.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
To me, I am honored to be entering the music industry at this time. Since Covid, The power of being an independent artist has grown significantly and has even had some of my idols returning to being independent. I find each minor success, from a new release, to performing a new festival, or organizing a tour to new states, to be so much more rewarding as I am putting in all of my efforts alone. I have always been one to work hard and enjoy labor, but the rewards of working in an industry that allows me to express myself, and be fully individual brings me great joy. Im honored to have found a band that is like family, and to have fans that are a wholistic, self aware community.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My main drive is to connect and bring people together through common experiences and through the poetic analysis of the human condition. I feel fortunate enough to have been gifted a voice and I hope to have the work I put in result in not only being heard but being beneficial to the listeners. We live in a time that seems more polarizing than ever, so I hope to use my music to bridge the gaps between any religious, political, or cultural differences.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jacobrountree.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobrountree/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacobrountreemusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-rountree-46352b171/
- Twitter: https://x.com/jacobrountree?s=21&t=zuiFb4qIQbPAg68z6GkjVQ
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUTkja1RLEgFhYlv1pIaYwg
Image Credits
Jacob Rountree, Taylor Barrett