Interview with Jake HoseThe staff at VM
Underground are working hard to get interviews for you.
Our newest comes from Jake Hose, solo artist
from Washington state.
VM
Underground: Hi Jake. How are you?
Jake Hose: I’m doing great, really
excited about your new magazine.
VMU:
You are currently a solo artist and a self producer?
JH: Yes, for the moment, I will probably
be in another band some day and [I] look forward to it. I
produce my music because it is cheaper that way and it
allows me to experiment on my own time and not have to
pay an hourly fee at a studio.
VMU:
You have sent me a few CD's in the past, very acoustical,
could you elaborate more on your sound?
JH: My sound is experimental in
composition because I don't directly copy other musicians
music. However, it does have a place somewhere in the
alternative genre.
VMU:
In your past works you used to be in a metal band? Why
the change to acoustic?
JH: Because the metal sound was what
other musicians brought to the table and I just formed
into the mold which I didn't have a problem with, it was
a lot of fun.
VMU:
Could you explain more about your recording process? What
gear?
JH: I use Truth b2031 studio monitors,
STAudio DSP sound card and ADCANDDAC 2000 audio
converter, Sure and Audio Technica recording mics,
N-track recording software, T-Racks mastering software,
and other things.
VMU: How
do you feel about analog and digital recording?
JH: I like analog better, much warmer, but when it comes
to editing..can't beat digital.
VMU: How
much time do you spend on your mix's?
JH: Not very long, because I have many things on my
plate. This goes against me sometimes, but I'm getting
more patient. Typically, I spend about 15 minutes per
song and use very little plugins and processors. I try to
capture a raw sound most of the time.
VMU:
Have you played live with your solo work? If so where?
JH: Yes, in the Tacoma Washington area. I've played live
over the radio at an open mic night several times and at
a blues bar several times, even though I don't play
blues...I called it Ethereal Blues!
VMU:
Would you rather play live or just home recording?
JH: Home recording at this time because I have an art
business to run.
VMU:
What are your musical influences?
JH: I have a lot of influences mainly coming from the
80's European sounds from bands like the Cure, Peter
Murphy, Depeche Mode, Echo and the Bunnymen, and so on.
VMU: We
placed you on the "Detached System: Complete
V.1" Compilation album. How do you feel about being
on a disk with different styles?
JH: I feel very fortunate to have been selected for the
CD. I know someone didn't make the cut because of me, and
I hope that they don't think that they are less
important.
VMU:
Could you talk about how many solo CD's you have put out?
JH: I have 2 solo CDs.
VMU:
What was your worst experience playing live?
JH: One time I was spinning around and I had my eyes
closed and I jumped up to the mic and smashed my face on
the mic almost chipping my teeth, followed by dropping my
pic.
VMU: You
are also an artist and web designer could you talk about
that?
JH: I started a web design business a few years ago and
then got married. I closed my design business to focus on
my art business and my new marriage. It was too much to
do. I have 2 writers working on a series of books for a
multimedia project that will most likely [be] very
successful. I could write more about this, but I'll keep
this interview pretty brief. I have a fine art business
including exhibits and festival promotions.
VMU:
What are your current projects, for both music and art?
JH: A music video and creating and selling fine art.
VMU:
What acoustic/electric guitars do you use and what do you
think are the best? And how do you feel about other
direct recording gear such as Johnson or Line 6? What do
you prefer?
JH: I use Jackson and Dillion guitars, I don't have a
particular guitar that I think is the best. As far as
direct recording, I don't use it, I mic everything.
VMU: You
are currently working with VM on some tracks and a flash
animation video. Could you talk about that?
JH: Vic sent me some old songs to play with and I
recorded some vocals on them. It was a lot of fun and a
growing experience for me. He also wrote a song that we
are turning into a music video. I'm currently working on
the video and it is animated and should be done in a
couple of months.
VMU: Do
you feel direct recording is better or live mics or vice
versa?
JH: Live mics, at least I’m told that.
VMU: How
do you feel about the mainstream music scene and the
Christian market?
JH: I think the Christian market rejects most of the
Christian bands in the mainstream and producers seem to
produce Christian bands for the Christian market..it's
like preaching to the choir, it's sad. It's our job to
stay in the mainstream secular market so ministry is
effective. I understand why Christian producers produce
for the Christian market, but I think most of the music
is Praise and doesn't focus on moral issues. That's why
Im doing what Im doing.
VMU:
Have you done any professional studio recording? If so
where?
JH: Yes, PMD Recording (Where Dave Mathews recorded his
first CD) in Charlottesville Va. and Sound Check Studios,
Richmond Va.
VMU: Any
last words for young, up and comers who want to get into
the music scene?
JH: Yes, if you feel called by God to make music, don't
give up and give yourself time to developed your art.
Don't expect to be a rock star, expect to be a good
musician. If you do make it, invest your money, so when
you’re not popular anymore, you aren't broke. Don't
do drugs, they just make your music mushy. Be
professional, don't go to rehearsal late or you look like
a loser. Set goals and work toward completing them. Don't
think you’re the best or God will humble you and it
can be embarrassing.
VMU:
Thank you so much, Jake, for your time. Any last words?
JH: Thanks, Vic, for being so dedicated and persistent, I
appreciate you and others who have taken the time to read
this. To check out my art and music website please visit www.jakehose.com
VM
Underground
March 25, 2004
