"Being in such a creative place surrounded by fantastic musicians is so valuable. You feel constantly inspired to create more, hear more and share more."
Meet Jake, a BA (Hons) Music Production student in his third year at Leeds Conservatoire. Jake is the lead singer of alternative grime rockers DeadWax.
We caught up with Jake about his time at Leeds Conservatoire so far, and he shared his advice for prospective students.
Discover more about DeadWax or follow them on Instagram for regular music updates.
Hi Jake – Where did your musical journey begin?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. Our family friends were all musicians and when I was very young, it was common to have someone playing instruments around. Both my parents are visual artists, so I was always surrounded by creativity, and it seemed like the normal thing to be involved in art and music. I began learning guitar at aged 8, then drums at aged 12 which i continued to study at Leeds College of Music. Ive been performing for as long as I can remember, so i cant really put a date on when my musical journey began.
What motivated you to study at the Conservative?
After originally doing a BTEC level 3 at the Leeds College of Music (now Leeds Conservatoire) I took a couple of years out of education to work and gig with my band DeadWax. I realised i wanted to go into higher education to open up options to work in the music industry alongside being a performer. Music is such a massive part of my life, i wanted to try to ensure myself a career in some area of the industry.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve done on your course so far?
Meeting Andrew Scheps in my 3rd year was very cool. Being able to show him my work and receive critical feedback was an honour and also extremely valuable. having someone with such an incredible portfolio of work and listening to his masterclasses is an experience ill always remember and cherish.
How did Deadwax meet?
DeadWax formed back in high school. We were lucky enough to all live in the same little town, and all came from musical backgrounds. I do have a slight bias, but i don’t know any better instrumentalists than who we have in the band. We’ve been together for close to 10 years now, and i think our original sound and level of performance shows.
How has your course shaped your artistry?
The production course really helped me to understand the fundamentals when producing music, and to be objective with my work. I find it a lot easier now when I approach a piece of music to not let my emotional biases lead the process, and to be more meticulous and informed with my choices, from writing to composition, recording and mixing.
How was the exposure to a wide variety of musicians and being in a collaborative environment help you? And specifically Deadwax?
Being in such a creative place surrounded by fantastic musicians is so valuable. You feel constantly inspired to create more, hear more and share more.
Has the Conservatoire provided many opportunities for you and Deadwax?
Being a part of the conservatoire has provided DeadWax with the ability to use rehearsal spaces and studios that otherwise would’ve costs huge amounts of money. Now we have the ability to record high quality demos and tracks, as well as being able to rehearse in sound treated environments with great equipment.
Outside of Deadwax, what else have you been up to since leaving the Conservatoire?
Other than DeadWax, I host the Resonance Sound System, which is a dance music sound system. I am an MC and host various styles of dance music sets, such as Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Garage and more.
Finally, why should an inspiring musician choose to study at Leeds Conservatoire? and do you have any advice for them?
Choosing Leeds Conservatoire is a great option for aspiring musicians. The quality of resources available is fantastic, and the fact that all the lecturers are also professionals in the industry across various fields gives you a real and honest insight into the industry from every angle. Aside from the education, Leeds has such a strong independent music scene, from hardcore punk and metal to free jazz and performance poetry, with a plethora of great venues varying in size. For me it was the perfect place to develop myself as a musician.
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