The Story Behind "Don't Forget"

Chapter 4 - Don’t Forget

(This is also part of a new book Jake is writing called Hollow: the story of how a boy turned childhood trauma into music)

My mom and dad’s relationship was definitely in turmoil long before she was shot by her latest boyfriend, Bill. Thinking back, both of my parents were extreme in many ways, and it seems as though neither of them would back down to anyone, including each other.

Dad would often come home late with various “injuries” from fights he’d gotten into at the bar. He’d gotten his two front teeth punched out once, been thrown to the gravel on a few occasions, and we even found him sleeping in grandpa’s bathtub one morning. He explained that his bloody tongue was from being kicked in the mouth by someone who knew tae-kwon-do. Although he claimed that he ended up victorious at the end of these brawls, they certainly came with physical injuries to him and emotional wounds to us kids.

One evening mom came to visit us at my grandpa’s house (my dad’s dad). Grandpa’s house was a basic single-story one bathroom, 3 bedroom house. It had a cozy, yet small kitchen so if you were sitting on one side of the kitchen table you could see into the living room, but if you were on the other side of the table you could see out the kitchen window into the driveway. I recall sitting on my mom’s lap while she was playing cards at the kitchen table; we were sitting on the side that could see out into the driveway. It was a warm summer night and the windows were open to allow the breeze to come in. Life was good for a brief moment.

But suddenly I heard a rumbling sound coming up the street. It was getting louder and seemed to turn from a subtle rumble to a loud roar. I immediately knew it was the sound of Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

Mom was what you would call a “biker chick.” As far as I can remember she was hanging out with Harley riders. After my parents divorce, my dad would take us to the bars and church festivals with him. On one occasion, we coincidentally met up with mom, who was with her “new friends.” She was wearing a black leather vest and a doo-rag bandana on her head. She knelt down to get eye level with me and handed me a $5 bill to play games with. Then she was off again, like a phantom in a way, and it would be a long time before we saw her again.

Back to the story of sitting with mom and grandpa at grandpa’s kitchen table, the Harley sound was coming from two bikers who pulled into the driveway. I heard my mom say that it was Dave and Snake. Although I was too young to understand how relationships worked, I later understood that Dave must have been mom’s boyfriend after her and dad divorced. I’ve seen him before at her home in Milwaukee but I really didn’t know much about him, other than he often breathed heavily, he was slightly overweight, and I can recall him trying to kick start his motorcycle one time in an alley-way behind mom’s house.

On this particular night Dave brought his friend with him and I’m assuming they were not happy to find my mom at my dad’s house (I think we were living with grandpa at the time). When my mom looked out the window and realized it was Dave, she immediately tried to put me down and push me under the table. Dad came charging into the kitchen from the living room area and I heard him say “watch out, I’m going downstairs to grab my gun.” Dad’s room was in grandpa’s basement and in order to get to the stairs he had to pass through the kitchen.

Seconds later he came running up with his rifle and the next thing I knew there were shots fired out in grandpa’s driveway. Then I heard the motorcycles start up and both bikers were gone. Dad shot at the ground beneath their bikes to scare them off. I have no idea what was said prior to this or after this, but I do know that sirens were all over grandpa’s driveway soon thereafter. We watched out the window while dad was handcuffed and put into a squad car.

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How I got my start in music

Hey fellow music lovers. If you knew me, you'd know that I'm a self-made musician. I produce music, mix & master music tracks, and I play guitar, bass, and I sing/rap. A priest by the name of Father Tom originally showed me how to play the guitar, but I also remember making my own guitar out of plywood and fishing line back in elementary school for a project I had to do. I actually played "Stand By Me" on that guitar!

BTW, I've been making my own music since I was in 3rd grade.

Anyhow, I'm starting this blog to share some insights about how I got started and where I got started.

Since this is my first written blog in a while, I'll keep it short to see if anyone is actually interested in reading this. In the meantime, here is my first insight or tip: if you really want to be a self-made musician you gotta have the heart of a lion. That means that you might get teased, bullied, ridiculed, or whatever but you gotta keep going forward.

I'm out for now, I have a big day ahead of me, but stay in touch!

~JP

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Jake Paul to Inspire School Football with New Single, ‘Break Out Year’

Jake Paul to Inspire School Football with New Single, ‘Break Out Year’ 
(September 26, 2018) – Jake Paul is scoring a musical goal almost every year. After the success of his last three albums, the popular musician is set to release a new single, ‘Break Out Year’ on Monday, October 1.

Set on the backdrop of high school football, ‘Break Out Year’ is meant to inspire players to rise above challenges. The single is close to Jake’s heart, showing his love for the sport in which he set a record at high school for most touch downs in a game. The single will be marketed across the US to middle and high school players.

Indie-based Jake Paul is a self-made singer and song writer, and for this particular track, he plays most of the instruments. Listeners will appreciate his energetic renditions, which reflect influences ranging from Twenty One Pilots to Sublime. Jake’s music is authentic and memorable as it rises above mainstream and disposable Rock n’ Roll. 
“My song is about rising above challenges and my love of football. I set my high school touchdown record for most touch downs in a game. I want this song to inspire young players to reach their goals regarding football,” says Jake. 
Picking up the guitar at 21, Jake has charted a highly successful music career, and is considered a favorite artist at the annual Milwaukee’s Summerfest for his Midwestern roots-rock style. In three years alone, he has released four albums, and performed with fresh musicians from Jamaica, Ohio, and southeast Wisconsin. Jake’s debut album was the 2011 full length work, ‘The Jailbreak’. The album comprises the song ‘Hollow’, which deals with the unsolved murder of his mother in 1988.

‘The Jailbreak’ was followed by ‘The Providence’, an album using bright melodies, smart lyrics and flavors of reggae and hip-hop that create new meanings around resiliency, love, hate and moving on. Jake’s third album is ‘Urbanize It’, released in 2015 by his own label, Anomaly Records, in collaboration with accompanying artist Kristin Urban.

Fans of Jake Paul’s music can also head towards his own merchandise store that offers a wide range of popular products.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information, please visit: www.jakepaul.org / www.jakepaul.biz

Media contact Jake Paul Jake Paul & Anamoly Records, LLC USA Email: music@jakepaul.org

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Autumn 2017: Seasons change but the message remains

Autumn 2017: Seasons Change but the Message Remains By Jake Paul

Making indie music, art and spreading love to my fans and the whole world is my purpose. Although my journey isn’t as easy as life on the beach, I still keep that beachy vibe alive in order to keep my head high enough to break through the challenges of life. And lately there have been many…

As a musical artist and songwriter, I’m aware of three massive challenges that jeopardize pursing a passion. One, this music/art isn’t going away…it is me, which means I need to accept it and find balance in order to keep it alive. Two, I feel a constant pull toward working for the man in order to survive, earn a decent living, provide for my family, and conform. And three, how to avoid the influence of the daily drama that we are surrounded by in the news and media.

One of my techniques to keep the music alive has been to create a line of merchandise (www.jakepaul.biz). I started an ecommerce store well over a year ago and have since grown to get my products on Amazon, which has provided a steady flow of revenue. In keeping with the resilient spirit, the theme in all my merchandise is the sublime life that awaits anyone who dares to push the boundaries and break free from a mundane existence, discover the magic of being human and enjoy life’s gifts. My creativity extends to designing different apparel from t-shirts, sweatshirts, to women’s beach apparel, caps and accessories. These are all extensions of my creative expression and help me deal with the trauma I experienced earlier in life. My simple yet meaningful art and designs speak for those who want more out of living, the beach, the sun and music away from the cookie-cutter experience.

In regard to the daily drama fed to us by the media, I choose to acknowledge it, observe it, and then do my best to dismiss it. It is far too easy to get swept away by the doom and gloom messages that they want us to feel. I am convinced that someone/something wants the masses to be scared, sad, sick, and hopeless, and those are terms I am not willing to live by. Yes, I am aware of protests, inequalities, wars, deficits, and massive issues. In the past month 3 young adults I’m connected to have either committed suicide, over-dosed, or died unexpectedly. Yet I am also aware that no one knows what happens next for us and living life according to a fear of what might happen next is something I’m not willing to live by. Fear and sadness are temporary guests in this house of hope and love.

I’ve been told that I’m a man on a mission to make great music and spread love across all borders…I would agree! My music as well as art and design are proof of resilience and the necessity of a positive spirit in dealing with the challenges of life, also while remaining honest to the true grit that comes along the way. There have been times I’ve considered putting it all away. But when I think about the alternative I realize one thing: creativity is living…and if I’m not living what am I doing?

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Brilliant reggae rocker and entertainer Jake Paul taps into...

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin native Jake Paul is a excellent example of a reggae rock artist that elegantly leverages his originality and compositional skills to the service of modern entertainment. His new single ‘Inhale’ demonstrates blazing musical stylings that are sure to appeal to mainstream audiences. This rocker with a performance flair has the right look and the right attitude to become a proper rock / reggae-magnet and audiences around the world are beginning to acknowledge the fact that a new creative force has arisen. Where will he take it from here? One critic wrote of his award-winning work: ‘It is rare to come across an artist with such a 'sublime' balance of great vocals, solid musicianship and edgy songwriting and Jake Paul is such an artist, with this collection of rock reggae gems as undeniable proof.’ We suspect this artist will navigate the future on his own terms, given his obvious passion and musical skills. Independent reporter Alexis Adams recently caught up with Jake Paul to discuss his music and the interesting path by which he came to it. ALEXIS: When did you first get that feeling that your music career was gaining momentum? JAKE PAUL: The first time I experienced that feeling was after we earned a slot on a local radio station’s playlist. I began to see how persistence was paying off and my thoughts changed from “can we do this?” to “we can do this if we keep at it.” ALEXIS: Your song ’Inhale’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio? JAKE PAUL: Initial reaction was euphoria! Hallelujah! I really wanted to get this song out of our local listening area and into the world. Now people that I don’t know personally are re-tweeting it and quoting it on Facebook!

ALEXIS: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single? JAKE PAUL: I was having an argument with the love of my life and I was at a point internally where I had some doubts about whether or not we were going to stay together. I thought to myself, “if we break up I want her to know that we could’ve made it if we both try.” So I started reflecting on our memories together and wrote down a list of some of my most memorable moments with her…I didn’t stop writing until the song was finished, which took about an hour ALEXIS: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music? JAKE PAUL: Without a doubt! The catalyst for me was my mother’s unsolved murder. I was 9 when we got the phone call that she was gone and the prime suspect was her boyfriend at the time. He was never convicted so I went to the police station years later to get the official (84 page) report. After reading it, I wrote the song “Hollow.” “I got a big black hole in my restless soul, I’m hollow today.”

ALEXIS: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…) JAKE PAUL: I am mainly fun-loving and down-to-earth. I meditate daily and usually come away from my mediations with a laid-back realization that people take life entirely too seriously. On the other hand, I have a dark side that comes out from time to time and I get really serious about writing sad songs (i.e. “In the End,” “Hollow,” “Reap”). For the most part though, I’m all about the sunshine, beaches, and the ocean. ALEXIS: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team? JAKE PAUL: There have been significant ups and downs for sure. On the up side, when I met our bass player a shiver ran down my spine because I knew I was experiencing fate, my Personal Legend (from the book, The Alchemist), and/or I was exactly where I needed to be at the right time. There have been many coincidences and/or signs along the way, and I love ... (full interview here: http://www.marquix.tv/features/JakePaul1.html)

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Jake Paul on overcoming the hurdles and pitfalls of the music business

GETTING TO KNOW JAKE PAUL by Jacqueline Jax host of A.V.A Live Radio There are many things I do to overcome hurdles and pitfalls… I learned to be assertive up front when it comes to the “deal” of playing at a venue. I also learned to figure out if I’m in this music biz for the right reasons. I enjoy music, period. Getting paid is nice too, but when I used to book our shows solely for money, I found that the money wasn’t enough of an incentive at our level. In other words, we had band members saying that we need to make X amount of $ in order to keep going with our music plan. So I got us into the best venues in our area (Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, Summerfest 3 years in a row, Potawatomi Casino, popular bars and clubs) and we got paid well. But those same band members who complained about $ eventually left the band, despite making more money. We learned the hard way about to differentiate between who was a “musician” and who was just someone who played an instrument.

Music business… I feel the business can be challenging and overwhelming when I let it affect my creativity, so I keep a watchful eye out for those feelings. I’m always swinging between a balance of music, art, and business. So I go in streaks, if you will: I’ll create, design, and then promote. When I get tired of promoting, I create. When I get tired of creating, I design. When I get tired of designing, I promote. One seems to feed into the other so I never really feel too overwhelmed, I just follow “the trail” that grabs my focus and attention. Music is my passion and there is a million and one things I can do that is music related so I always find something really cool to get into, which keeps me going.

Pros and Cons of the Music Industry… Pros include playing music live is a reward in and of itself. I enjoy the set-up (sound system, amps, instruments, etc) and I enjoy managing my website, merch, and music. The cons include dealing with grumpy venue owners, getting paid is sometimes a hassle, band members flake out sometimes, managing other people kind of sucks, and late nights take their toll eventually.

To overcome most of our hurdles, I can sum up two main things: 1) I had to become a better musician myself 2) I had to become a stronger leader; as much as I wanted a “democracy” in the band, I found that in my experience, people wanted me to lead (which also means to take responsibility of the things that go on behind the scenes with booking, managing, promoting, finances, etc). It’s a lot to handle.

Social media… I like that I can connect with people around the world.

Singles vs an album… I’ve only released albums thus far but I think in the future I’ll try releasing a single first. Talk about the differences in your marketing strategy to support your preference. As an indie artist and a do-it-yourself-er, I find it challenging to put the energy and resources needed to release a music properly in terms of promotion and advertising. And although I’m putting alot into it, I know I’m still not doing it properly and thoroughly. So for me to release a single, and then repeat the process over again to release the entire album has been appealing to me in the past. But when I recording the next batch of new music, I’m going to release a single first and focus on properly promoting it…then I’ll figure out a strategy to release the entire album.

It started with my mother’s unsolved murder… I was young when it happened (nine years old) and didn’t know how to or have the capability to deal with and process childhood trauma. I intuitively used music as my outlet. I’ve been writing songs and playing music ever since.

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Radio Interview

On Thursday, November 12th at noon (Central Time) I'll be on the radio doing an interview with Jacqueline Jax on A.V.A. Live Radio! Here is a link to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/avaliveradio/2015/11/12/episode-274-ava-live-radio-behind-the-music-with-jacqueline-jax

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"The Jailbreak" Review

Picture a band with mixed characteristics; one with a sound that is not entirely rock, nor entirely reggae. A band with a sound that instead falls into the category of surf rock, or if you will, "American Reggae," with similar artists such as Sublime, Citizen Cope, Jack Johnson, and Donovan Frankenreiter. That band you're picturing is Jake Paul Band and the album is The Jailbreak. The band's reggae sounds bring a sunny warmth to the overall album, even though oftentimes heavy, less than cheery subjects are addressed. Front man and band kick-starter Jake Paul's vocals fall somewhere between singing, spoken word, and rapping, which accentuates the music perfectly. He also brings his harmonica out from time to time, lending a further accent to the music. Paul has a unique reason for forming the band and beginning his music career. In the 1990's his mother was killed; unfortunately, the case has still not been solved. In honor of his mother, he set out to spread his story through the form of music. His first venture was with the track "Hollow," which is included twice on the album - once as the original and the other as a home studio remix. Regardless of which track you listen to you will be blown away by the brutal honesty of the lyrics. The story is told in third person, describing his mother's death and how he was affected by it, reminding listeners to "Remember to say goodbye, 'cause you're never too young to die." The sincerity of the lyrics, especially when Paul describes the moment he was given the news, further outlines how genuine the track really is. This sense of honesty follows the band through the entirety of their album, whether he is tackling everyday troubles or covering how to overcome those difficulties. "Scarecrow" comes next on The Jailbreak. The cleverness of the track is what makes it stand out. Paul sings, "You know, a wildflower cannot grow stuck in the shadows of a wounded soul," cleverly explaining how he'll stick around acting as this person's scarecrow until every last demon has been chased away. It takes a drastic turn in tempo at the very end, transforming into something you would assume to hear on a punk record and not this one. This facet seems to be a onetime deal, though, since it pops up nowhere else on the album. "Keep Your Demons," found a few tracks deeper into the album, covers the topic of demons once again, though this time Paul writes on a more personal level. Although it is the shortest track on the album he has no trouble with getting his words out and point across. "My Side of the Street" is one of the few more lighthearted tracks, and its lightheartedness is reflected in its upbeat melody. Paul sings about how sunny life can be when things begin to go your way and a new relationship blossoms. "In the End" is hands down the most uplifting song. They don't go overboard with lyrics; just enough are supplied, telling you that in the end, everything will eventually go as planned. An equal portion of the song is handed over to the instruments, letting them do the talking. A short solo to introduce the track and an impressive mid-song solo by lead guitarist Chad Layton are featured. Everything about The Jailbreak has an organic nature to it, from the vocals to the instruments. Nothing is too overproduced, and you get the sense this mood was orchestrated on purpose in order to faultlessly portray the relaxed atmosphere they were intending. These are guys you would want to invite to a party of your own just so you could get to know them and be able to sit back and watch them play. Artist: Jake Paul Band Album: The Jailbreak Review by Alec Cunningham Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

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New Recording Project/New Shows

We're excited to announce that we're currently working on our latest project, "PIE." This music is largely influenced by our newest band member (drummer) Mike who brings a jam-style rock element to our band. We're really evolving as musicians and band-mates, everyone feels like we're getting close to really breaking through and being part of something larger than "just us." PIE is about conflicting desires many of us face as we try on a day to day basis to secure our own piece of the American Pie. It's a musical masterpiece of acoustic tones, hard rock distortion, fluctuating time signatures, and jam-style instrumentation.

We'll set a release date in the near future...

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Hard Rock Cafe - Chicago!

I never thought we'd play at some of the venues we're playing at. Thank you. We've expanded from Milwaukee to Madison to Green Bay to New York to Chicago to...the moon? All I can share from here is a genuine "thank you" as I sit back and think about all the times I've wondered, "should I give up?" Rock on everyone and don't quit. Happy Thanksgiving.

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