Check Out Beatbox Jake’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beatbox Jake

Hi Beatbox Jake, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, I started playing guitar around 9 years old and started beatboxing at 19 years old. I had JUST started going to an open mic in Brighton, MI and would bring my guitar and play little things I had written and got fairly addicted with performing in front of people. I discovered beatboxing shortly after that and started obsessing over doing it myself. I tried it at the open mic on speakers the day after I found out beatboxing existed, and I was immediately grabbed by how it sounded coming through a speaker when I did it myself. From there I started going to other open mics and traveling further out (sometimes 30 to 40 minutes away) just for more opportunities to do my thing in front of a crowd. There are people from the southeastern Michigan open mic community that have watched me beatbox from the day after I found out about it all the way to now. You can see How far I’ve come since the beginner days if you see me live or watch videos of me online.

When I got to the point where I was constantly getting positive feedback from my beatboxing capabilities, I realized I had moved away from playing guitar a bit and didn’t play it live anymore. I didn’t want that to be the case, so I started finding ways to integrate it in with the beatboxing. At first, I started trying to play electric guitar WHILE beatboxing at the same time, and wound up creating my own genre that I call Beatbox Metal.

Soon after, I realized I wanted to be able to connect with an audience through my guitar playing more than the Metal stuff would allow me to. I became absolutely enchanted by the topic of music theory and how scales, notes and chords related to each other. The topic took over my brain and I wanted to be able to express moods, flavors, and emotion with as much ease as possible on the instrument, while also practicing enough flashy technique to appease the show off side of my personality. I’m happy to say that my studies have paid off in every way I wanted them to. I got a looper pedal, figured out a way to hook both my microphone and guitar to it, and became the kind of guitarist I wanted to be in my head all while playing the role of my entire rhythm section. On top of that, all my time studying and practicing beatboxing made it so I don’t even need the guitar and pedalboard to keep an audience happy. All I need is a microphone to entertain a crowd, but add my guitar into the equation and I am in my full element.

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?
Not entirely. Some things have been easy going, but there is a LOT of doubt and negative self talk that happens as an artist that doesn’t get talked about. On top of that, there is no clear path for original artists, and for someone like me who pretty much created their own lane, it’s even less clear. I haven’t found a single other person who is doing what I do the way I do it, so I don’t have too many people to look to for an idea of direction for my career. Luckily, I have found some people who are similar enough in their approach that can give me guidance in certain ways.

My Mom and Dad have been the biggest support in my life though. They help a lot, and honestly things would be a lot worse if they were unsupportive, or apathetic toward my dreams and goals. I am definitely a product of a very positive home and upbringing, and I think it shows in my state of mind and mental health.

I’m also part of a collective called Shattered Dreams Entertainment. It consists of me (beatboxer/shredder), Bio Killaz (Hip Hop), and Agatha Haag (an acoustic folk/rock/punk band), so a very diverse group of artists. They have helped me with a bunch of other stuff with regards to growth, merch, etc. I’m very grateful to be a part of it, and to be a founding member.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m known for being capable of impressing an audience on any type of show. I fit in well on rock shows, metal shows, festivals, hip hop events, EDM events, variety shows, and anything else under the sun. This is something I’m very happy about because I can connect with more people that way. I like meeting people from all backgrounds and interests, so the more types of shows I’m able to be on, the better. I get to hear more life stories, and more types of feedback on what I do as well. I don’t know anyone else who blends theory influenced guitar playing with the spectacle of beatboxing. If anything sets me apart from other people, it’s that I’ve put so much practice and study into two completely different things, then found a way to make the two skills work together.

I really hope I’m not coming off like I’m super arrogant or anything, but I suppose I’m supposed to talk myself up when it comes to interviews like this.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best ways to support me are to follow me on Instagram and Facebook, listen to and share my music, getting merch from BeatboxJake.com, or from my merch table at a show, and also booking me for events. I’m also available to teach beatboxing basics lessons online, or if you prefer in person, you can set up a lesson with me at Tailored Harmonies Music Co. in Waterford, MI. If someone wants to book me, all they have to do is reach out to me on Instagram or Facebook!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beatboxjake.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatboxjakeofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeatboxJake
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeatboxJakeOfficial
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Qz5LDC2DznCZ7XzUDqVG5