Jakob The Liar

Meet Aalborg, Denmark-born UK Open Mic performer, Jakob The Liar:

Jakob The Liar

Hi Jakob The Liar, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Group

What’s the name of the group?

Jakob The Liar

How old are you?

Where were you born?

Aalborg, Denmark

Where did you grow up?

Denmark, Germany, the US, Sweden

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

Having grown up, studied, worked and played in 9 countries around the world, I’ve been fortunate enough to be exposed to a range of different musical cultures from an early age. My time studying in Melbourne, Australia in 2015 was where I found my voice as an artist.

Where are you based now, and why?

I’m based in London because I feel this is a city that really understands and appreciates my unique journey, both as an individual and musical artist.

What got you into making music in the first place?

My teen idols were Rage Against the Machine. Zach’s fiery lyrics and Tom’s hard-hitting riffs and innovative solos really spoke to and inspired my younger self. Later on Jeff Buckley’s advanced melodicism and timeless compositions combined with Ani DiFranco’s one-of-a-kind tunings my inspirations were as carved in stone. I started composing songs on guitar early on in high school, and while the lyrics were in their infancy at that stage, the music itself attracted many collaborations with other musicians early on.

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing, Guitar, Piano

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Rage Against the Machine – riffs, solos, Zachs lyricism and vocal style
Jeff Buckley – vocal style, compositions, harmonies, chord progressions
Radiohead – songwriting, lyrics, orchestration, continuous musical evolution
Ani DiFranco – quirky chords, rebelliousness, troubadour style

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

Over 15 years

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

I either start with having gathered lyrical ideas over a period of time or coming up with a chord progression/picking pattern/melody and then either add music and melodies on the former or add lyrics to the latter.

Why did you get into playing open mic nights in the first place?

Because I love the raw feel of open mic nights and getting to know other musicians and their songs.

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

1. You need to be brave to go on-stage and do your thing.
2. You need to have experience to get good. Hence you must keep coming back if you want it to go somewhere.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

When people are talking during your performance.

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

I played Kaf Cafe in Valencia and it was an absolutely amazing experience. The locals were extremely respectful of all the performers and I ended up getting the entire crowd screaming in excitement.