Multi-instrumentalist, singer, song-writer, producer, actor. Jake Hays is a man of many talents, the musical side of which he’s showcased strongly on latest single “Overcomplicated”, which he recently unveiled the video for. PopWrapped caught up with Jake to find out how he’s been keeping busy during the Corona Virus pandemic and what his plans are for the rest of the year.
You started out your professional career through the project Maudlin Strangers – how does that project differ from your solo one you’re undertaking now?
I’d say the two projects are very similar in the sense that Maudlin Strangers was also a solo project where I’d write and record everything myself. However, with this new venture under my own name, I felt a little more liberated in being able to write whatever I was feeling because it didn’t have to fit into this box that I was beginning to put myself into.
How do you think your sound and style has evolved and developed from one project to the other?
I’m influenced by so many different styles and artists and songs that it’s an ever-evolving exploration from songs to song more than even project to project. I definitely run into the “Shit, does this even work with the last one?” problem each time…haha.
In November 2018, you were one of the many people badly impacted by the Woolsey Fires and lost your home and recording studio. In what ways did such a drastic change in your life influence the songs you later went on to write?
It actually happened at a time that I was taking a break from music to pursue acting, and in the wake of the fire, I rediscovered my love for music and its healing properties. It was definitely therapy for me – along with actual therapy as well, 10/10 would recommend.
The fire occurred while you were on location filming “Night Run”, currently in post-production. What can you tell me about that?
I wish I could say more, however last I spoke with the director, they were planning on reshooting an entire third of the movie, which is a bummer because I’ve been at least counting on seeing what we filmed, considering my house burnt down literally 4 days before returning home, and I continued filming for those days because of course I had a job to finish, so I’m hoping flying to Texas and my house burning down wasn’t completely for nothing.
In general, who or what most inspires the music you make?
I’m most inspired by big bass and drum grooves. Anything that feels danceable always draws me in. Almost all my songs begin as MIDI basslines and drum beats. Also songs that have like a sexy creepy sound are so fun for me.
Tell me about “Overcomplicated.”
It was actually one of the few songs I took to Texas on my laptop to work on while I was away – I was mainly using Pro Tools, but had downloaded Logic Pro X on my laptop to try working away from my desktop computer – and it wasn’t finished until recently with a pre-chorus and bridge, but I had always wanted to finish it and was inspired to do so via some needed encouragement.
Is there a particular concept or story to its video?
I’ve always been inspired by the Goosebumps series. Like, digestible borderline-friendly horror is such a fun world to play with. I have so many vivid memories of reading the series when I was in middle school – and even bought several of the books again during the summer before the fire and started re-reading them. My girlfriend Olivia DeLaurentis, who co-directed and edited the video, and I wanted to do something that paid homage to the playful horror universe.
You’re a rather gifted song-writer, having collaborated on song-writing sessions with Matt Sorum, Cherie Currie and Holly Knight among others, but which of the songs you’ve written, or co-written might you say you’re most proud of, aside from your own?
There’s a song that I wrote for my mom’s album Blvds of Splendor called “Shades” that I remember writing super late at night with just my guitar, which rarely ever happens, but it had gone through a rewrite with the producer and had veered away from what I had intended. The album was actually taking so long to release – it ended up taking 10 years; yes, 10 years – that we did our own version of it as a duet and released it on her album Reverie and called it “Shades of Me”, which was the original title.
What, to you, makes a song truly great and memorable, and if you had to choose a song to be the greatest ever written, so far, which would you pick and why?
To me, those songs that I listen to and have that genuine “FUCK, I WISH I WROTE THIS” feeling are the ones that really stick with me. I think what makes a song truly great is the perfect tempo, catchy melody, simple lyrics, and a captured feeling. Some of those songs for me are “Somebody Else” by The 1975, “The Hills” and “Starboy” by the Weeknd, “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man, “Attention” by Charlie Puth, and “The Less I Know the Better” by Tame Impala, to name just a few.
How have you been handling the lockdowns and restrictions in place due to the Corona Virus pandemic? Did you perhaps have any tour plans you had to cancel and how have you been keeping busy and creative over the last year or so?
I actually had formed a new band and we had played 2 shows before the lockdown was first placed – which was announced the day after the 2nd show – and we had to cancel a 3rd and 4th show. It felt so good to be back to playing shows after a couple year break so needless to say I was tremendously disappointed that we had to immediately stop our momentum after rehearsing for several months. However, I’m fortunate that the pandemic has actually been a wildly productive time for me. Olivia and I ended up doing a bunch of music videos for my cousins’ band LEVARA, and ended up created a production company called HELLBENT and we even both acted in a movie that we’re very excited about that is yet to be announced.
With vaccines now available and being given to the population, how optimistic are you about the year ahead and what are you most looking forward to once some semblance of normality resumes?
I feel we’ll be insanely lucky if live music is able to continue this year, but I’m optimistic about the idea of it starting in the later half of the year or beginning next year. At the least, I feel that outdoor masked festivals would be the smartest place to start. The fellas and I are just awaiting the word so we can start getting back into the rehearsal room together, and we’re all itching for it.
The music industry has been particularly badly hit by the pandemic. Do you ever think it can fully recover or will artists and those in the profession perhaps have to adapt to a business that’ll never quite be the same?
I think on one level it will never be the same, at least there will be a mental block for a lot of people to be shoulder-to-shoulder, maskless in a sweaty dark room with people breathing on the back of your neck. However, at some point, just like with all the other horrific viruses we’ve faced as a society, we will find a way to adapt and continue regular life for those of us that are lucky enough to have made it this far. Mask up and be safe everyone!!!
Aside from this new single and the video, what else do you have in store for 2021? What are your key goals and objectives and what can fans expect to see and hear from you?
Honestly, with there being no positive prospect of live shows for a while, I’ve shifted my focus entirely to releasing way more songs and continuing to paint this friendly comedy-horror visual universe. I’ve had a tendency to allow too much time between releases, and I’m making an active choice to change that up this year. What’s there to lose?
Check out the video for “Overcomplicated” below and for more information on Jake Hays, visit his website, give his page a like on Facebook or follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
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