Few artists can find the elusive balance between a song that hooks you in and a song that encourages another detailed listen. It’s on this fine line of ambitious pop-rock that indie piano-rocker, Jacob Vanags, has found his home. As a Kent, Ohio native and well-traveled New York “resident,” Vanags has meshed his multitude of experiences and inspirations to create a brand new niche between the same-old and the usual. One reviewer describes it as “a mix between Death Cab for Cutie and The Format.”

Vanags is now on the verge of releasing this fresh sound with Pulses are Pluses, a six track EP set to be released on November 3rd. After the successful debut of his first solo EP, The Come On! Collection, Jacob was joined by drummer and trumpet player, Zach Periharos, and bassist, Nick Cantatore, to create a full and energizing mix of piano rock anthems with pulsing beats and masterful basslines. Add in Dylan Ebrahimian’s violin prowess and Jeremy Landis’ production expertise and you have an epically exciting six songs. Lyrically, Jacob revolves the EP around a central theme of positivity and the realization that “you have all that you have.” But nothing could sum it up better than a choir finishing out the EP on “Jonah’s Dream,” a youthful illustration of a world without futile fighting.

The “JV3,” as they are endearingly called, have a nine-day, nine-show “Spring Break” tour under their belt and are ready to embark on more adventures in whatever vehicle and trailer they can get their hands on. Playing at several music festivals and venues such as “The Bitter End” and Chicago’s “The Bottom Lounge,” as well as getting plenty of college and internet radio airplay, this ambitious group can only work their way up.  Next on the list? A music video with creative group, Better With Bangs, some vital PR, some brand new fans, and hopefully a very cheap and spacious trailer to call their own.

Artist NOTES on Old Songs (1/7/2007):

Horizon: stripped / Shoebox: stripped
These two songs were recorded in the Hofstra University "studio" by Nate Cyphert of Cyphert Music.  They are part of a compilation CD that was sold to benefit Action Against Hunger (www.actionagainsthunger.org).  The CD titled, Music to Feed, has recordings by  five other Hofstra University musicians and was promoted at a benefit concert on December 6th, 2006.  The songs are titled "stripped," because each song usually would have other instruments involved.  In order to keep the focus of the CD on the problems of world hunger and what we (as in everyone) can do about it, the additional parts were extracted.  Only the primary voice and instrument were used in portraying the song's message.

Horizon: live Pop's 2006
This song was performed and recorded live (via White Crow Films, Ohio University) at Kent Roosevelt High School's Pop's Concert 2006.  Besides piano, it includes drums, bass guitar, two cellos, violin, and the choirs of RHS--to these instrumental performers and the choirs, I am eternally grateful.  (The "stripped" version is much faster, because I felt with the lack of back-up instruments it needed a little more drive to it.)

Introduction: live Pop's 2006
Same deal as above.  It is just a little song to introduce the concert (you kind of had to be there), but I though I would throw it up there anyway for kicks and giggles.  Co-written with Andy Hendricks and Bassel Al-Madani.  Thanks to Logan Akamatsu for the thumb-in-mouth "popping" noise.

Hailey
I wrote this song in the spring of 2005 for the Pop's Concert 2005.  This recording was done very quickly with my good friend, Bassel Al-Madani's,  equipment.  It was also done on a  very pingy and out of tune piano, but I am grateful nonetheless.  It was recorded in one or two takes, allowing  me just enough time to get home for dinner.  Hopefully, I will be able to record this song with better quality later... maybe when I have more than twenty minutes to do it.

A Birthday Ditty (for Rachel)
This song was created as a gift for a good friend... Rachel.  Co-written with Logan Akamatsu, this duet (on piano and vocals) was created in a span of two nights.  Thank you to Bassel Al-Madani (who was currently away in Syria) for leaving his keys to his house for us, so we could steal, temporarily, his recording equipment.  Due to a restricted time deadline (Rachel's birthday was the next day) and the lack of knowledge of someone else's recording equipment, the recording is of poor quality, yet, I feel, it gives it a little personality and a little uniqueness to it.  So judge it however you will, but I'll still like it.