Last night of the tour in Bristol was a really nice way of wrapping up the tour. The crowd was warm and the sound on stage was loud and clear which really helps me to get into it. I've really grown fond of Bristol and the Louisiana is a quality venue to play. My favorite tonight was probably "Love You" which when the stars align in the right way can feel very transcendental to sing. That's the point I try and find, where I forget about the day, the audience, the chords and all that stuff and just deeply connect to the song. That doesn't always happen but I felt tonight there were some moments of that, plus a good bit of back and fourth banter with the people that was good natured and funny. See you next time!
Last nights show in Portsmouth was an unexpected surprise. We were racing to get from the Johnie Walker session I did in London to get to Portsmouth and being a Sunday a notoriously slow day and having only played in Portsmouth once before I didn't quite know what to expect. we arrived at the club which I have to say was the coziest venue so far, kind of like an old english pub very warm with a nice little stage and a good vibe all around.
I ended up going on last and I felt good kind, of like cutting loose a bit and by the time I hit the stage I was a little tipsy but my voice was returning to form after having a cold for a couple days and the songs seemed to just flow in a nice way. I still managed to bunk up the lyrics on BlueBird but all and all what was really nice is that everyone was dead silent while I played the songs and very enthusiastic in between which for me really let's me do my thing with out wasting energy trying to sing quiet songs above a bunch of chattering heads! I'll definitely be coming back to Portsmouth and to the Cellars... good night folks!
As Jacob Golden hurtles around the UK, he is recording the journey in this tour blog. But, like the inquisitive sods we are, we decided to delve a bit further. Mr Golden has a quiet demeanor about him when he's of stage and when he chats, it's with a soft American drawl and thoughtful answers. He laughs often - especially when we hit the topic of Morrissey and his 'clomping boots'. yes, Jacob Golden is a delight both on and off stage. Let's hope you have the pleasure of a brush with this talented young musician. Until then, enjoy this little trip down Jacob Lane...
Thanks for sending us your tour diaries Jacob – I know people can read about the gigs on there but how has it been for you?
It’s been a real success – each night is going to be different and for me, playing is always an emotional process so I’m always going to have my ups and downs and whatnot. I feel good about each show you know, they’ve all been different and I’ve really been pouring my heart into every one of them.
I was at the Roundhouse gig and it absolutely blew me away, in person you seem to be a quiet guy but on stage you are extremely captivating. Do you get nervous up there?
I don’t know… I definitely feel an energy. I guess you could say I do get a little nervous but I try to use that energy so that it propels me to a place where I can kind of
Well there was energy and a lot of love being thrown right back at you from the audience. Are you seeing the same faces following you around now?
I am but there are also a lot of new faces. I look out there and I definitely recognize some people from other shows but what's exciting to me is that there is a lot of new faces out there and people coming up to me afterwards and saying they've heard about me. A lot of it is from word of mouth. A lot of people will buy my CD and give it as a gift and then they'll end up at a show. It's kinda cool like that.
You got to meet a few of the fans afterward - do you try to do that at all gigs?
I like to be able to make a personal connection with the people that come and see me and a lot of the time I'll head back to the 'merch' and sign CDs and say "Hello".
Did you get to meet Morrissey? We could certainly hear him plodding about upstairs!
Unfortunately I wasn't able to meet Morrissey - it was such heavy security - it was amazing. It was like they had a politician there or something. I met his bodyguard who was about 400 pounds of pure muscle and somebody you wouldn't want to mess with!
What song do you enjoy playing live the most?
One of the songs I usually close my set with is 'Hold Your Hair Back'. For me, that's the song I feel really passionate about and I try to keep it towards the end. I usually play that song in every set. i like playing all of them - they all have a different energy.
What's the story behind 'Hold Your Hair Back'?
Oh God... there was a girl involved. I was trying to express that sort of feeling when you really feel for someone so much that you really want to protect them; you want to be able to reassure them when they feel overwhelmed. To me that's a real sense of true love when you feel that way and when someone feels that way for you. That's what I was trying to capture in those lyrics.
You like to write and record when the moment strikes you. Have you had any of those moments on tour?
I was actually in the hotel room last night and had a little bit of an idea. I just try to find a quiet corner and get my little dictaphone and my recorder and I try to capture those things when I have them. Hopefully by the end of the tour I'll have a few new ditties.
What's the most memorable concert you've ever been to?
Geez... I would have to say The Flaming Lips. I saw them play three years back in England and they just put on the most amazing show. It was really a multimedia experience. They've got just the most amazing music and it's just one of those things where you're laughing, you're crying, you're jumping up and down. it just brings up all these great emotions. I really like a concert that can pull those things out of you and pull you into that magical little place. I hope to do that too!
We caught Jacob during his Roundhouse gig... here's a little 'Out Come The Wolves' teaser. Any stomping sounds can be attributed to Morrisey (performing upstairs!).
Jacob Golden releases Out Come The Wolves/Zero Integrity on Echo on March 3rd 2008, available on 7 Inch and for digital download.
Brudenell Social Club
Today started off in a nice way, I felt rested and went to the Leeds University to play a live session and interview with the student radio. The session went great, the folks there were really cool and sweet, I felt good. I got to the Brudenell which is a funky venue I really like . It's a proper social club and has a real charm. I was all up to play a great set but after going onstage to play my first song there was suddenly blaring feedback on the guitar.
I'm usually not that thrown but my sound onstage sounded like a bad LSD trip and I just couldn't get out of my head.
I felt slightly disembodied up there. Not in a good way. I wanted to connect with the crowd but found it hard to reach out, feeling awkward my mind took over and shouted harsh criticisms at every note. I don't usually have these kind of shows and perhaps it was mostly in my head but it was hard going and not anything I would label as transcendent. Hopefully I've got this out of my system.
I felt very rough around the edges tonight. a bit sleep deprived and I had to shake the hours of driving over the last few days off with a half bottle of wine. A little blurry eyed I tried to find that quiet space in my songs and sing with all my might. I wanted to beat up my guitar a bit and and find just a little dissonance in the notes. By request I played Jesus Angelina from my first album. It's nice to bring these out on special occasions. I've described my first album not really as a "lost classic" but just "lost" and those songs, my lost children, will at some point find their home. I don't think rough trade actually bull dozed the album yet!
All and all a good night in Manchester and I will definitely be back before too long.
I was so sleepy today. The drive up to Scotland was long and winding and very beautiful. We were listening to Yeasayer when we entered the beautiful city of Edinburgh. It's only the second time I've played here, but I really love the vibe. There's some serious music fans in the town and playing tonight was very intimate and the audience were a listening crowd, which is my favorite kind. The stone walls work a treat on my voice.
I really look forward to getting back here again in the spring time and playing more as I think this will be a city I come back to again and again.
Time to go find a late night dinner and catch some sleep!
It's an interesting place to start a tour in London. Usually we'd do it five or six nights into the tour cause it's usually such a whirlwind.
I made it to the roundhouse where Morrissey was also performing that same night upstairs. Security all around and through out the building was incredibly tight. I had a little day dream of running into Moz in the hallway backstage or something but this wasn't gonna happen, not with his towering body guards stalking the joint. My show was downstairs in the Freedom Studio which was a nice space, the sound felt a bit awkward to me, but it seemed like we got everything sorted out by the time the show started. It was really nice to see so many people, it was definitely my best attended show yet. I felt a little withdrawn initially, I felt a lot of eyes on me and my aim was to focus on my voice and really deliver my songs.
In the end I felt a really nice synergy with the audience and I had some nice moments. the stand out being when I completely forgot the lyrics to Bluebird and crashed and burned only a minute in to the tune...all I could do was laugh and start again fortunately my fans are a compassionate and loving bunch!
Interview by Katie Spain
