Jacob Sperl, a Jedi wannabe.. INTERVIEW
Marie: Jacob, how did you become a solo artist and how did you get to writing music?
Jacob: When I was a kid I wanted to play in a band, but that wish disappeared after a while. I studied piano for 2 years and learnt guitar myself, then took a break for a few years. Then I picked up where I left off and started writing my own music and songs. I remember texting with a friend last March, saying that I’d like to release my own stuff when I am older and wiser. Then I released an EP few months later, feels kind of funny.
Marie: Do you write in English or other languages and how is writing in different languages different for you as a songwriter?
Jacob: I started writing in English, then went with Czech for a while. I really struggled when I was deciding with which one should I stick with. In the end I went with English.
When writing, sometimes I struggle and sometimes it just comes to me in both languages.
Marie: You performed ‘One’ for us. Can you share the backstory behind it?
Jacob: To be honest it’s a story told million times, only with a new order of words. Story of me meeting someone, about the things that happened, about things I wanted to happen and thing’s I didn’t want to happen.
Marie: Where do you source your inspiration from?
Jacob: From my own life experiences. Sometimes I write about stuff that I didn’t go through, but only rarely. It’s best for me to write about things that happened to me.
Marie: How would you describe your music?
Jacob: It’s a kind of a poppy folk. I’m trying to get a more pop and rock sound at the moment. I perform with an acoustic guitar and a looper using beatbox and looping beats and harmonies.
Marie: Where do you perform more, in Czech Republic or abroad? What music scene do you prefer to perform in and why?
Jacob: I perform only in Czech Republic, mostly busking and playing at small festivals. I’m looking for any excuse to go and perform abroad to be honest.
Marie: Who are your musical heroes?
Jacob: I should mention Ed Sheeran, from whom I got the idea of performing with a looper pedal. Then my guitar hero is - as for many people – John Mayer. My piano hero would be Tom Odell.
Marie: What do you do when you’re not playing music?
Jacob: Mostly I’m watching movies and TV shows on Netflix. I like to read as well, though I don’t get to it as much as I’d like to.
Marie: Professionally, what’s your goal for 2021?
Jacob: To busk as much as I can and take as many opportunities as I can. Ideally release a new single I’m working on and record more things that will come later.
“The best piece of advice I’d gotten: “Just don’t shit yourself. If you really set out to do it, you can do it.””
Photos in this article by Rony Thilakan
And now 5 quickfire questions:
Name 5 top releases of 2020 you think are great songs to chill and listen to.
That’s my kryptonite to be honest, I don’t follow new music as much as I’d like to. From the top of my head I got Wonder from Shawn Mendes, ANXIETY from ANNABELLE. I don’t think I can name more.
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.
Probably Sheeran as I mentioned him earlier, then maybe Arctic Monkeys, as I’m trying to get a similar feel with my new songs. Then maybe Damien Rice or Tom Odell, they’re both good with words.
What superpower would you have and why?
Probably to have perfect pitch, it would make things much easier. And to be at a level of a native speaker in English. Not really superpowers, but I don’t have a need of shooting lasers from my eyes.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Just don’t shit yourself. If you really set out to do it, you can do it.”
What wouldn’t you do without?
Probably without my family friends and musical instruments. Water and food is nice as well though.
Have a listen to our Spotify playlist of Avoid artist’s releases >>
