Catch up with Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Jake Etheridge, and listen to new single, "You Found Me First", off his forthcoming EP due out in May.
What first got you interested in music?
My family was a huge part of it, they all play music; my grandfather, mom, dad, everyone. Our family reunions are somewhat jam sessions, so I think it was only eventual that I’d play myself.
Do you remember the first song you wrote that you were happy with?
I remember one of the first bands that I started writing music for and I’d write a song every few weeks that we’d all learn and rehearse. We were a bit punk rock and there was a lot of yelling [laughs]. The first one that I was the happiest with though would have to be the first acoustic song I wrote called “Remember”. Naturally, it’s a sad song about a girl.
Which musicians have you been influenced by?
In the beginning it was Dashboard Confessional all the way. I think now I pull heavily from Jason Isbell, John Denver, Ryan Adams, Gregory Alan Isakov.. I love good songs.
What words would you use to describe your sound?
Folk. Earnest. Honest. I try my best to be honest.
The song speaks for itself, but could you tell us more about your inspiration for your new single "You Found Me First”?
I actually wrote this one about my girlfriend. One of the first times she and I hung out together in Nashville was a direct inspiration for the 1st verse “with you right there in that grey and blue dress, smiling at me through your wineglass, it finally feels as if I found myself”. The ‘yellow flower’ was my nod to her blonde hair. I took that verse to my friend Olivia Rudeen and it was over. Rudeen’s a badass and I always have faith that she’s gonna mop the floor with whatever I bring her. I like to think she did in this case.
Is that single indicative of what we can expect to hear on your forthcoming EP and could you tell us more about the EP?
The EP forms a 5 song story of a relationship. The coming and the going. The first song happens to be “You Found Me First” and the EP wraps up with “Getting Over You”. I didn’t really plan on a story based EP, but the songs that I ended up wanting to release the most sort of fell into it.
What do you want your listeners to be able to take away from your music?
More than anything I want them to be able to hear the words and enjoy the story and what that makes them feel. I think I always drove home from a gig or a night out with friends and jammed to my favorite songs with the windows down and listened to the lyrics. Bottom line, I want that for these songs; for folks to listen while they drive home.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
I’ll add a big thank you to you guys for helping to spread the word and love on this song! This bad boy was written quite a bit ago and I’m so eager for it to finally be seeing the light of day.