Meet Jacob Betts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Betts.

Hi Jacob, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
Embarking on this musical journey was never part of the plan for me. For the longest time, I saw my place exclusively behind the scenes, immersed in production and art direction for fellow artists. Back in 2016, a friend and I founded Variare Productions, a multimedia production company fueled by the dream of establishing our own recording and creative haven to support local and regional artists in their creative endeavors. 

In the initial stages, my focus was on collaborating with various artists, contributing to diverse projects, and honing my craft through production and artistry. Unexpectedly, the spark to create my own music ignited. In an effort to showcase and refine my skills, I began writing and recording original music under my own name, culminating in a two-year labor of love named ‘Reflections.’ 

The turning point arrived in 2017 when, almost serendipitously, The American Hotel System came into existence. Initially conceived for what we thought was a one-off show, we found ourselves on stage performing several of my original songs just for the sheer joy of it. This moment inspired me to reimagine ‘Reflections,’ originally leaning towards a singer-songwriter/acoustic vibe, into a collection of guitar-driven rock songs, which we proudly released as The American Hotel System’s demo EP. 

Now, six years down this incredible path, we’ve not only released three full-length albums, six EPs, and numerous singles but also cultivated a musical journey filled with unexpected twists and creative exploration. As the band blossomed, so did my opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow artists, delving into realms of brand identity, marketing, and art direction. It’s been a joyous ride of growth, creativity, and shared musical experiences that I never foresaw but wholeheartedly embrace. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Navigating the creative path is a labyrinth of challenges. The daily dance with work-life balance, especially in the indie and DIY scene, tests one’s resolve to be a full-time musician while also securing a sustainable income. As I often say, the highs are the highest, and the lows are the lowest. The life of an artist, in any form, is intertwined with a certain degree of frustration, a constant battle against the inner critic, fear, anxiety, and the specter of depression that haunts the music industry. Steven Pressfield aptly terms these hurdles as “resistance” in his book ‘The War of Art.’ Despite the daunting nature of these struggles, I believe they serve as the crucible in which artists like myself forge new depths of creativity and build resilience against the adversities we face. 

Beyond the universal challenges of the creative journey, my personal journey has been marked by the additional burdens of a seizure disorder and chronic cluster headaches stemming from a traumatic brain injury that impacted my ability to speak and function on a daily basis. Eight months of dedicated rehabilitation later I not only regained my ability to speak but also acquired new strategies to navigate life with a chronic pain disorder. 

In the spring 2021, my world crumbled beneath the weight of the prior 18 months of the pandemic— not only loneliness and isolation, but all of the societal anxieties and tension had built up within my heart. It was an emotional breakdown— a soul-scorching collapse that left me gasping for breath under the weight of it all. With the encouragement and support of my wife Ashley, my family, and my friends, I embarked on a journey of therapy. It was there, amidst the raw vulnerability of ripping away the built-up layers of defense, that a lifelong suspicion was unveiled—an official diagnosis of OCD. My therapist, Tracey, has been such a blessing. With her help, I started to confront lifelong anxieties, insecurities, and relentless intrusive thoughts that stormed the sanctity of my mind. Through the darkest part of this journey, Ashley’s love was a flickering light of resilience — a testament to the power of beloved community. Life, it seems, orchestrates an interplay of events etched in the tapestry of our past, propelling us forward and dreams that beckon us toward the hopeful paths of tomorrow. At the heart of it all, love reigns supreme. It is love that cradles me in the darkest moments when I feel the ground slipping beneath my feet, whispering words of solace and encouragement. It is love that weaves the threads of connection, for within our shared struggles, we find solace and strength, reminding us that we are not alone. These personal experiences of both physical and mental health struggles have only further fueled my creative act. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Embracing the identity of an artist has been my guiding star. While my primary canvas is the music I create and perform with The American Hotel System, my artistic spirit extends to various realms. It’s a multifaceted journey fueled by an unquenchable desire to express the profound longings embedded in my soul — what C.S. Lewis beautifully terms as the “music we are born remembering.” It’s the recognition that my existence is tethered to a purpose beyond earthly realms. 

Graphic design, illustration, writing, acting, and video production are not just skills but potent tools for creative expression, each serving as a unique conduit to channel the depths of my artistic vision. What sets The American Hotel System apart, in my view, is the seamless integration of these diverse mediums. There’s a cohesiveness that I’m always seeking to weave through our creative tapestry, aligning with the core of our mission as a band — to provoke the hearts and minds of others. 

Most rewarding of all are the profound conversations at the merch table or the heartfelt messages that grace our DMs from individuals who found a connection in one of our songs. It’s here, in these exchanges, that the real magic happens. I firmly believe in the transformative power of words; they can build kingdoms and burn them down. For me, the most rewarding aspect of my creative endeavors lies in the ability to share life experiences, love, and hope with others through the poetic medium of lyrics. It’s a privilege to wield these powerful tools, sparking connections that resonate beyond the stage and reverberate in the hearts of those who engage with our art. 

What do you think about happiness?
One of the core values of the band is ‘Fun’, which we define as “experiences and expressions of freedom, joy, and happiness; which move us emotionally and bond us relationally.” When I think about the creative life, the moments that bring me the most happiness are the ones shared with my bandmates that foster unbridled joy and laughter– Sleep-deprived car rides, backstage in the greenroom, and late-night rehearsals are where some of our longest-running inside jokes have been born. It’s a shared language of laughter and joy that not only fuels our creativity but also forms the foundation of the deep bonds we share as a band. In the midst of the creative chaos, these moments stand as a testament to the transformative power of music to not only move us emotionally but also to forge connections that extend far beyond the stage. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theamericanhotelsystem.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanhotelsystem/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAmericanHotelSystem
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tahsband
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAmericanHotelSystem
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/theamericanhotelsystem
• Other: https://tahs.info/m/tahs

Image Credits
Jake Orr