Artist Spotlight :: Jacob Rountree

Bio

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

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

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