JACOB THOMAS

OK -- "I'm never gonna sing a sad song again..." Liar!! That's what singer-songwriters do! Anyway...this is a nice "ditty" of a song, and there's plenty of place in the world for ditties. It's thematically strong, with a chorus that makes its point clearly and succinctly and verses that illustrate the theme. The keyboard textures are nice; I'd incorporate more of those throughout the songs, perhaps laying off in the verses and coming in for the choruses. Your vocals could use a little muscling up, too -- not a lot, but let the singing build with the song so that there's a dynamic the listener can track from start to finish. - Famecast/Gary Graff (UPI, Billboard, Revolver, New York Times)

July 19, 2007

Thomas makes debut tonight at Grant Street
Trevis R. Badeaux
tbadeaux@theadvertiser.com

Trevis R. Badeaux
tbadeaux@theadvertiser.com

Some know him as Jacob Aranza Jr., son of the Rev. Jacob Aranza Sr., Others may remember him as the frontman for local rock act The Fashion.

Tonight, get to know the music, heart and soul of Jacob Thomas when the wiry, raven-haired crooner debuts tracks from his forthcoming release, Black, White & Red, Vol. II EP, in a special performance at Grant Street Dancehall. Joining him on the bill are People Noise, Arbor Vitae and The Fashion.

Black, White & Red has no Vol. I at this point, Thomas explained, because the songs are indicative of a period he has gone through as a writer. That's not to say Vol. I will never happen. It's just on the back burner while Vol. II introduces the world to the folk/Americana vibe of his current creative vein.

Thomas sings with the darkness of Johnny Cash in his soul, the introspection and world view of Neil Young, the story-telling ease of a young Bruce Springsteen and the warmth of early Bob Dylan.

There's a familiarity in the sound of songs like Lonely Road, Tennessee Nighttime Blues and What I Meant to Say, almost as if each were an old friend strolling in to say hi and chill for a little while -- a level of songwriting one would expect from someone much older.

Thomas is 23.

"I was raised in south Louisiana. Country, zydeco and Cajun music are ingrained in me. In a way, a little of each come out in this," said Thomas, who also lists Dylan, Young, Ryan Adams and Rufus Wainwright among his greatest musical influences.

Thomas began writing the five tracks on Black, White & Red Vol. II while living in Nashville, Tenn., where he moved in 2000 to further develop his musical career. Lyrics on Lonely Road and Tennessee Nighttime Blues paint a vivid picture of the pain he felt while away from his longtime girlfriend, Leanne, whom he married in September 2005 shortly before he returned to south Louisiana for good.

"I write songs about emotions, songs that people can relate to, songs that grab you because you recognize the universal truth in its lyrics," Thomas said. "I don't feel like I wrote them. I feel like I'm the first person that got to hear them and share them."




Copyright (c) The Daily Advertiser. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.

Thomas makes debut tonight at Grant Street
Trevis R. Badeaux
tbadeaux@theadvertiser.com

Trevis R. Badeaux
tbadeaux@theadvertiser.com

Some know him as Jacob Aranza Jr., son of the Rev. Jacob Aranza Sr., founding pastor of Our Savior's Church in Broussard. Others may remember him as the frontman for local rock act The Fashion.

Tonight, get to know the music, heart and soul of Jacob Thomas when the wiry, raven-haired crooner debuts tracks from his forthcoming release, Black, White & Red, Vol. II EP, in a special performance at Grant Street Dancehall. Joining him on the bill are People Noise, Arbor Vitae and The Fashion.

Black, White & Red has no Vol. I at this point, Thomas explained, because the songs are indicative of a period he has gone through as a writer. That's not to say Vol. I will never happen. It's just on the back burner while Vol. II introduces the world to the folk/Americana vibe of his current creative vein.

Thomas sings with the darkness of Johnny Cash in his soul, the introspection and world view of Neil Young, the story-telling ease of a young Bruce Springsteen and the warmth of early Bob Dylan.

There's a familiarity in the sound of songs like Lonely Road, Tennessee Nighttime Blues and What I Meant to Say, almost as if each were an old friend strolling in to say hi and chill for a little while -- a level of songwriting one would expect from someone much older.

Thomas is 23.

"I was raised in south Louisiana. Country, zydeco and Cajun music are ingrained in me. In a way, a little of each come out in this," said Thomas, who also lists Dylan, Young, Ryan Adams and Rufus Wainwright among his greatest musical influences.

Thomas began writing the five tracks on Black, White & Red Vol. II while living in Nashville, Tenn., where he moved in 2000 to further develop his musical career. Lyrics on Lonely Road and Tennessee Nighttime Blues paint a vivid picture of the pain he felt while away from his longtime girlfriend, Leanne, whom he married in September 2005 shortly before he returned to south Louisiana for good.

"I write songs about emotions, songs that people can relate to, songs that grab you because you recognize the universal truth in its lyrics," Thomas said. "I don't feel like I wrote them. I feel like I'm the first person that got to hear them and share them."




Copyright (c) The Daily Advertiser. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc. - The Daily Advertiser

Jacob Thomas and his Louisiana Blues


I managed to catch half of this guy’s set at the Mean Tambourines/Tigers Con Queso/Wooly Mamas show last week, and I liked what I heard. Louisiana native Jacob Thomas just moved to Nashville a few months ago, but he’s already got the soulful Southern sound on lock.
I got my hands on a copy of Thomas’s EP "Black, White, and Red Volume II" at the show. His twangy riffs and blues-inspired vocals echo artists from Bob Dylan to Jeff Buckley and The Black Keys. I caught him solo, but I’m looking forward to seeing him with his band. Thomas will be playing with Sara Kelley at The End on June 11. -D. Patrick Rodgers

Published on Tue, 3 Jun 2008 17:34:25

- The Scene (Nashville)