Through pulsing, driving piano topped with catchy melodies, Jacob Vanags is quickly emerging as an indie piano rocker with something to prove. Born and raised in Kent, Ohio, Jacob spent much of his childhood playing the piano under the wise demands of his parents (not for several years did he understand the blessing in disguise).  Eventually though, the weekly pieces began to seem mundane and uninspiring and Jacob soon branched out.  After years of fiddling with melodies and chord progressions, breaking piano hammers and strings, and playing with the lights off, his once simple creations transformed into his now matured and unique style of song.

Now re-located in Long Island, New York and studying Music Management and Merchandising at Hofstra University, Jacob has seemed to have found his niche in the music world. Playing his own original music with lyrics written only from real personal experiences and revelations, Jacob has found a fan base in and around Long Island and New York City. In the early months of 2008, Jacob spent time recording what would soon become his debut solo EP, “The Come On! Collection.” The EP is fit with five tracks ranging from upbeat and catchy like the popular “Familiar Faces,” to intimate tracks written in dedication to family such as “What We Have Here.” During the summer of 2008, Jacob spent his time not only working and interning in New York City, but also playing in a variety of venues throughout Manhattan and Queens ranging from coffee shops such as Gizzi’s in Greenwich Village to bars near his apartment in Astoria.

Since his return to Hofstra for the fall semester of his junior year, Jacob has already begun moving forward from the recent release of his debut EP. With fresher ideas and a stronger lyrical sense, it is obvious that his music grows with every new day. Tracing back to his earlier, piano-heavy “Hailey,” his sound has since become more defined with “Stuck,” a more mainstream and radio-friendly track that is sure to become a favorite at his live shows. With the acquisition of a few key musicians (Zach Periharos playing drums and Nicky Cantatore on bass guitar) the new sound has come together quite naturally. Although they have yet to record as a group, their live efforts are energetic and cohesive. They have an aesthetically pleasing sound that is as if they have been playing together for years.

Eager to get his new sound out there, Jacob is set to hit the recording studio in January in hopes of recording his new EP.

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.