INTERVIEW: Jacob Golden [BACKSTAGE PASS: Jacob Golden]

Backstage Pass: On tour with Jacob Golden

INTERVIEW: Jacob Golden

Posted on February 1, 2008 3:56 PM
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Interview by Katie Spain

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!

Have you seen Jacob perform live? Did he move you as much as he did us? Tell us in the comments section.