Jake Troth is a talented singer/songwriter that you all should be aware of. His “soulful and pop infused arrangements” have already earned him comparisons to a bevvy of my favorite artists, including Amy Winehouse, Broken Bells and Coldplay. After hearing his latest single, “Material Things,” I might have to add Swedish electro-pop singer Lykke Li to the mix. Troth took the time to explain about the meaning behind “Material Things:“
“Material Things‘ is a love song. It’s about the love of the world i grew up watching on television in the 80’s. The ridiculously expensive and lavish lives of those people I always wanted to be. The songs short length is derived from the short attention span of pop culture, and it’s melodies are as intoxicating as any cocktail. Beneath the patent leather and rhinestones though, there is an honest confession of what it means to be truly overtaken by this beautifully destructive disease: materialism.”
In addition to singing and songwriting, Jake Troth also produces his own tunes. I like nothing more in an an artist than passion, drive and the ability to wear many hats. Jake Troth does it all. Performing in various bands throughout high school, Troth sorted out his likes and dislikes, experimenting with rock and metal before ultimately settling on folk and pop music. Post graduation, Troth set his sights on San Francisco. While in San Fran, Troth immersed himself in a community of artists, fully realizing that making music was his destiny. Upon accepting a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, Jake studied hard by day, playing bars and clubs by night.
Turns out that college was the jackpot for this talented songwriter, coming out with a bucket load of original material. Having too many songs to even know what to do with, Jake started giving away his music. Not only was “Material Things” one of the first tracks given away, but it attracted the attention of cable music channel VH1 who asked Troth to use the track in the show The X Life. Since VH1 emailed, it’s been a whirlwind for Troth, who’s songs have since appeared on The Jersey Shore, Cuffed, and When I Was Seventeen, among others. Pretty awesome for a relative unknown. I’m surprised I haven’t heard of him until now but I’m super glad that I did.
Jake Troth‘s album, Just Let Go, is available to download on iTunes HERE. You can also snag “Material Things” HERE and watch the video below. Look out for a new EP, Friends, due out this summer, not to mention more new music coming in the Fall. Jake Troth is one of my ‘Ones to Watch in 2011‘ and deservedly so.