Jacob Golden
Musician
jacobgolden
Style: Psychedelic
Joined: September 06, 2006
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Jacob Golden- underground american singer songwriter.
In the new musical world order, where digitised tunes can be emailed or downloaded anywhere, any time, intimacy -- that precious sense of communion between listener and performer -- has become a rarity.

But not in the world of Jacob Golden; and never at any point on his beautiful and powerful album, Revenge Songs.

Golden is a singer, guitarist and songwriter from California, who makes music suffused with big and complicated emotions in small, friendly spaces.

Most of his tours grow organically, their bespoke itineraries designed in response to audience requests via Myspace. Last year he toured the East Coast of America, playing 'living room shows' in the front rooms of fans to no more than 40 people at a time. "But you make an unbelievable, lifelong connection with those people." This Spring he's coming to get close to his fans in the UK and Ireland.

"I enjoy the possibilities of electronics," Golden says. "But the foundation of my musicality, and what enchants me in music generally is atmosphere. A good record is a document of an experience, of people playing and listening in a room."

He seldom bothers with recording studios, preferring, when he's away from home, the natural acoustics of underground car parks and a particular subterranean concrete art gallery. "I love the idea of making modern field recordings."

The new album came about partly as a result of personal contacts. There were, basically, two conversations. One with David Kosten of Faultline, who fronted him the necessary cash to tidy up his bedroom demo's. The other followed an acoustic performance in an LA hotel room which convinced Jeremy Lascelles of Chrysalis Music publishing -- the company which recently brought Ray LaMontagne to our attention -- that Golden was another unique talent in need of careful tending.

If he sometimes sounds, in his songs, old beyond his years that's because Golden "was raised on my mother's record collection. She loved all the great vocal groups of the 1960's, particularly Simon and Garfunkel and the Mamas and the Papas." To this sturdy melodic inheritance Golden brings his own resilient sensibility. "I know Revenge sounds like a negative concept but for me it represents the idea of accepting your inner struggle, standing tall in the face of doubt and failure. The driving force of my music is my attempt to rise above my circumstances."

Paradoxically, Golden wrote most of the songs on the album after he moved to Portland to do a regular job. Following spells hustling his wares in LA and London, he had turned his back on the compulsion to make music which has been with him since he started singing at the age of 10. "I was getting hung up on the career thing. The distance and perspective of Portland was an inspiration, and it made me realise that a musician is what I naturally am." Tunes would turn up in his head, unannounced. The lyrics he began to write became more diaristic. "Once I stopped trying to be poetic, everything felt stronger."

That message has started to travel. The old 1990's mantra Think Local, Act Global seems already to be pushing bedroom symphonist Jacob Golden to another level. One song from the album, On A Saturday, featured prominently on the last episode of the upmarket LA soap, The O.C. "I've not seen the show," Golden admits. "But it's been amazing to me how many people noticed the music. I've had calls from all over the world as a result of it."

The simple truth is that, once heard, Golden's music is very, very difficult to ignore or forget. "Revenge Songs is not the kind of album that needs to be rammed down people's throats," he says. "It just needs to be approached quietly and with love."

And it will be. A lot.

Formation Date: August 24, 2007
Record Label: Echo/Sawtooth
Label Type: Independent
Band Members: Jacob Golden
Influences: Nina Simone, White Stripes, America, Chris Whitley, Jose Gonzales, Neil Young, Panda Bear, Simon and Garfunkle, Band of Horses, Brian Wilson
Sounds Like: Falling in love and the aftermath thereof...
City: Portland
Hometown: Sacramento
Country: United States
Albums:
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From: jacobgolden
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I was ego surfing and came across this cover someone did of one of my songs. I was flattered and came up with the idea of featuring these videos on my Youtube page.So, If you are a singer or musician of some sort and want to record yourself performing one of my songs. then upload to youtube and send me a message and my favorite versions will be featured on my youtube page.
go get to it! love,
jg
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Channel Comments (49)
danwoodier (1 week ago)
mate loving your new song!
freewheeler2909 (1 month ago)
Hey jacob i am running through a version of 'weight' at the moment and i will upload it next week. I have to say i think you should give me artistic license on this one. What i'm trying to say is that i wish i wrote this one, its awesome.
luvualways14 (1 month ago)
jacob...i don't know if you're gonna read this or not but this is sierra...toni and lews grandaughter, anyway i absolutley love your music they bought me your cd..and now i have like all your songs on my ipod...so good luck with touring and everything
waterbody08 (2 months ago)
Jacob
I heard you on BBC at 1am last night for the first time as i was trying to fall asleep and I feel so fortunate to hear someone who believes in a connection with audience. I'm on my way to do a "living-room tour" as well, and I appreciate your inspiration. Thank you.
Scott
Boise, Idaho
we would love to have you here, there are some great living rooms perfect for you
Chocolove1007 (2 months ago)
I'll be seeing you live in NYC at The Living Room!!!
solelo7 (2 months ago)
hi how are you
ma0namaste (2 months ago)
We are looking forward to your California tour - you're doing such beautiful music, Jacob.
jkrolik (3 months ago)
it's so lovely to have you as the soundtrack to my summer :)

very inspiring

i am working up the courage to post a cover of Zero Integrity

we'll see ;)
gunnerbower (3 months ago)
will you be in florida ?miami area anytime soon/
gunnerbower (3 months ago)
i think u r so with it .this coming from someone who used to only listen to lenard cohen.i want to do a cover of wolves for you .so look for me .i have never responeded to anyone before now that is how inspired i am