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Artist Spotlight :: Jacob Rountree

Bio

Jacob Rountree

Jacob Rountree
Passionate, Hypnotic, Multi-Dimensional, Poetic, Diverse.

When you combine an artistic, contemplative soul with endless energy and an adventurous spirit, you discover Jacob Rountree, an alternative-folk/indie-rock musician.

Listeners are always surprised at the fullness of his sound created with many digital effects, loops, percussive guitar playing, intricate fingerpicking, delicately placed percussions and haunting harmonies.

Jacob started his musical career in the hip city of Spokane, Washington, where he was inspired to develop a modern take on classic artists such as Bob Dylan, John Butler Trio and Pink Floyd as well as current artists; the Black Keys, Shakey Graves, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ben Howard, and Xavier Rudd. He has since won his new home of Bozeman's best solo artist multiple years in a row, Best Folk artist, Top three local albums of 2023 and Top three performances of 2023!

If his audience isn’t captivated by his introspective lyrics, dynamic rhythms and diverse moods, they are guaranteed to be mesmerized by the bands multi-dimensional performance with soulful vocals that soothe, textural guitar that breaks from tender acoustic into tasteful blues rock, and irresistible rhythms to make you move.

Jacob and his band create a rare musical experience with a fresh take on timeless music styles. They truly are an act not to miss.

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

I have my mother to thank for always having music in our lives. I started taking classical piano at five or so years old and carried on with that for several years until I decided to switch to the guitar. I believe the guitar called to me from a young age because I had an uncle that played, and I always enjoyed how the family would gather around with so much joy and sing along and share such wholesome moments! I took guitar lessons for only a few years, and then after a couple of serious ski injuries in high school, I turned to guitar and songwriting as a therapeutic process to deal with the long recovery times, and it has been a daily activity since!

What piece of musical advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the beginning of your musical journey?

I would encourage my younger self to truly study the industry and business side of music far earlier than I had. I had attempted full-time music once before this current situation of full-time music, but I truly had no idea what I was doing. I played a lot of disk golf or would ride my bike aimlessly, just waiting to play my gig at 9 pm. I had never been so broke, yet never so happy; however, a few podcasts or books or conversations could have really helped me earlier in realizing how much work there is in the ability to constantly perform as an independent artist!

What keeps you excited about playing?

Lately, it's been developing my new band after covid! Each year we have grown tighter and more confident, we have toured longer and farther, and we have constantly kept new experiences and new growth in the forefront of our minds as a team. I feel very lucky to have Andrew Olivo on bass, Cole Thorne on vocals and percussion, and Lane King on pedal steel!

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

This is Touggghhh. I would say the first is a delay. I currently really enjoy the walrus audio arp-87 for its versatility and for its loft textures. The second would be The JHS Kilt because it can range from just a volume boost to medium gain to fuzz. Lastly, I think I would choose the Strymon Flint for its classic familiar reverbs and for the wonderful harmonic tremolos! All three of these are just staple pedals of my sound while remaining very versatile for future experimentation!

When you find yourself in a musical rut, what techniques do you do to break out of it?

I think the best thing to do is to let go of the pressure to write and go live life. Go on a walk, a hike, a bike ride, go travel, go people watch, sit down and listen to some new music. I think the best thing for creative ruts is to turn outward and consciously digest your surroundings at a slow, pressure-free pace. Simply put, just become an observer.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band ten years ago?

Another tough one.

Currently, I've been really liking Palace because of their similar sound, but it comes from a very different approach. I feel like my style has dominantly busy guitar melodies with a simple rhythm section, while Palace always has busy drums and rhythm over a rather simple guitar with lots of space.

Ten years ago had to have been Ben Howard, for his soul, for his deeply profound, poetic lyric style, and for his ingenuity, all while staying very connected to nature and the general human condition.

When you find yourself in a music store - what is your go-to riff when test drive gear?

Lately, it's been this really fun Original Riff that will hopefully turn into a song in the near future! It's an E Major into E minor Riff that fits somewhere between Shakey Graves and Jim Croce!

What is your most prized/cherished piece of gear? And why?

I would say it would have to be my custom-built pedal board as a whole. I had hand-built several boards for myself and for others; however, mine is laid out so perfectly for all of my needs, from multi-textured layered solo looping performances to diverse mood band performances. I had purchased a samsonite suitcase for $2 at a second-hand store and custom-built my board to the exact dimensions of the inside of the case. I have hand wired the power and in and out jacks to the exterior frame of the board as well as included handles for carrying. It's a beautifully stained wood with dovetail joints and carries somewhere in the realm of 20 effect pedals!

What is the next big musical purchase you're hoping to save for?

A Tour Van! Not necessarily an instrument itself, but it will be one of the most beneficial purchases to break through the turning point from short regional tours to longer national tours!

If it had to be a true musical purchase, I hope to transition my band over from a larger 16-channel analog board to a much more portable 18-channel digital mixer! Currently looking at the Midas Mr18.

Gear Breakdown

Jacob Rountree Gear

I am using the 20' Standard Rattlesnake Cable with a right angle. I use this cable for a self-custom secondary pickup on my acoustic that picks up only the body sounds on the sidewalls of the guitar as I play "LAP GUITAR" Style where the guitar is face up like a lap slide or a dobro, but I play it like a melodic drum. I like the right angle as it stays low profile and minimizes the chance of my strumming hand from getting caught up on a straight jack cable.



Bands / Projects

Jacob Rountree & The Somethings

Listen on Spotify



Social Links




Want to be featured as an Artist Spotlight?

Do you have to be a famous musician to be featured? No. Do you have to be a professional musician to be featured? No. Do you have passion about playing and gear -- oh and a verified Rattlesnake Cable Company cable user. Yes!

All you need to do is contact us and we'll direct you to our submission form. If your submission is approved, it will be in the queue to be showcased!




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Reviews on Google

Richard Henrickson
Richard Henrickson
10/21/2023
I was introduced to Rattlesnake Cables at South Shore Guitar Boutique on Long Island over the summer of 2023. The owners assured me that Rattlesnakes are the finest cables on the market, and that customers had been utilizing them to sample guitars and amps since they'd opened without having to... Read
Omando55
Omando55
9/10/2020
These are Absolutely the BEST cables I’ve ever used - and they look Great!!!
Sam Doyon
Sam Doyon
11/5/2024
There’s a reason there’s 500+ reviews and they have a perfect 5 stars. I can’t say enough nice things about this company and their cables/accessories. I’m a big proponent of ā€œyou get what you pay forā€ and these deliver just that and then some. Never any buzz or signal loss, they look... Read
Richard Henrickson
Richard Henrickson
10/21/2023
I was introduced to Rattlesnake Cables at South Shore Guitar Boutique on Long Island over the summer of 2023. The owners assured me that Rattlesnakes are the finest cables on the market, and that customers had been utilizing them to sample guitars and amps since they'd opened without having to replace a single cable. I purchased two that would compliment a new-build Jazzmaster and original Bartel Tone King Imperial (15' Copper and 20' Retro) and was instantly hooked. The look, feel, and most importantly SOUND that the cables provide is second-to-none: Clear while not antiseptic; full while not flowery; present but not pouty. Now armed with the gigging rig, I ordered a separate set for home practice directly from Rattlesnake. Hank answered all of my queries immediately and sent an amazing, personalized "Thank you" video. When the cables arrived, I was knocked back by Amy's immaculate packaging, which included very cool, sturdy pouches for each of the three cables I'd ordered (an additional Retro, an Oxblood for my current Jazzmaster, and a short Dirty Tweed for my vintage tweed Blues Junior - an amazing find via my longtime pal Matt Brewster at 30th St. Guitars in NYC). The undeniable quality and obvious pride Hank and Co. have for their products has earned in me a lifelong customer. Anyone who cares about durability and approachable service personnel can rest easy that Rattlesnake Cable Company exists, ready to boost your gear with the most reliable, sonically ambitious tone it deserves. Thank you a million times over Hank, Amy, and everyone else at Rattlesnake!
Omando55
Omando55
9/10/2020
These are Absolutely the BEST cables I’ve ever used - and they look Great!!!
Sam Doyon
Sam Doyon
11/5/2024
There’s a reason there’s 500+ reviews and they have a perfect 5 stars. I can’t say enough nice things about this company and their cables/accessories. I’m a big proponent of ā€œyou get what you pay forā€ and these deliver just that and then some. Never any buzz or signal loss, they look fantastic, they feel fantastic. They’re not cheap, and I’m not rich, so the fact that my studio and gig bag is filled with their cables is testament to why I keep coming back a couple cables at a time. It’s flat out worth it. I’ve gotten quite a few unprompted compliments from fellow musicians who I’ve gigged with, and a few from old men who just recognize a well built cable when they’re out to dinner listening to a cover band. Every order has always came lightning fast, with a thank you written on a pad, packed with care. I recently had USPS miss-deliver (and lose) a package, and Amy was on it to get me a replacement as soon as it was apparent it was lost.

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