Jake Allen Band

IMD I really enjoyed your latest CD entitled Etherica? What inspired the title?



JA The title is based on the word Etheric, a multi- faceted adjective used to describe things that are airy or dealing with higher levels of consciousness. The word is used a lot in the practice of astral projection where the etheric body separates from the physical body and travels to astral realms. It’s kind of a hard word to truly define but you probably get it. I altered that word a little to create a place or state of being. To me, “Etherica” is where this music lives.



IMD How does this release stand out from your others?



JA It’s really just on a bigger scale than the other releases. I’ve gotten better at what I do just as any other person does when they hone their craft. I’ve also had some really interesting experiences that inspired me to create this album. I like the topics that are talked about on Etherica. They’re very deep yet accessible to the listener.



IMD Who have been some of your top musical influences over the years?



JA I’m really choosy when it comes to liking music. I find pleasure in specific events that happen in music where something really pleases my ear or gives me chills when I hear it. Mainly the chords that are played and the melodies that accompany them determine if this happens to me. So with this being the main thing I look for in music, it’s an endless search for those “ahh moments.” This makes it hard for me to say “I like this band” because most of the time my listening experience is like trying to find diamonds in a piece of coal. For example, there’s a butt load of these “ahh moments” on the Bjork album Vespertine but I can’t really find too many more in the rest of her extensive catalog. Part of what drives me to create music myself is to make as many “ahh moments” as I can. Creating them and “hanging out in them” in the studio feels great. A couple of my favorite groups are Yes and Nine Inch Nails.



IMD What’s the one thing you want fans to take from your music?



JA God is Love.



IMD I especially enjoyed the song “Ascension” & “Open Space” could you tell us more about those particular pieces?



JA Ascension was the first song I wrote for this album. It’s about this supposed spiritual path the earth is heading down and me questioning where my awareness about it sits in correlation to it. The title comes from this group of people who believe that the human race will soon evolve to a more spiritual state of being and the barriers between physical and spiritual will be broken. They’re calling it "the ascension process.” Open Space was a product of a loop I made when I first bought a looping pedal and was actually the last song I wrote for the project. This song is about entering a state of being that has no judgments or desires. I think of an endless white abyss when I hear it. The song poses the question, are we creating the experience of life with our own collective consciousness which has no form, or is our reality happening because of the physical matter that is our brain meat.



IMD How’s the music scene in your neck of the woods these days?



JA Well right now I’m living in Phoenix, AZ. Actually the music scene is why I moved here. I got attracted to this city during my last solo tour and I have not left since. The market may not be as big or popular as LA or New York here but it’s not saturated and it’s easily accessible unlike Los Angeles where there are 100,000 musicians who are dying to be stars and playing shows for nothing, or even worse, paying a venue to let them play. This is a great city for someone who wants to make a living being a musician while they work on their bigger goals. There are so many places to play, both “gigs” and “shows.” But don’t tell anybody! It’s a secret oasis.



IMD What songs of yours over the years stand out as being the most special in your opinion?



JA Slappy Thang is a landmark for me being one of the first finger style percussive slapping songs that I wrote.



IMD Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?



JA I was probably around nine years old when my father who has always had a home studio helped me record my very first song and “album” which were both called Looking at the Sky. I passed them out to my classmates in my school. I remember the excitement that I felt when I first was able to share my music with others. The feeling inspired me to keep on a musical path and I haven't stopped since.



IMD What’s next for Jake Allen?



JA I’m headed to Michigan for a little while to play at some musical festivals in July and August. I might go into the studio and just see what comes out while I’m home. I think I have a few ideas.



IMD Any touring plans in the works?



JA Yes! Jake Allen Band will be touring in the fall throughout the U.S. Keep an eye out for the dates TBA in July.

- Indie Music Digest (interview)

Jake Allen

He moves around the guitar like he's been holding it for a lifetime, gliding from end to end to produce sounds that you'd normally expect from a full-on band. But Jake Allen hasn't been around a lifetime - he's only 22 years old. But he's been making records since he was 9 years old - his father helping him record music in his home studio. He passed out the album, "Looking at the Sky" to classmates in his elementary school, so it should be no surprise when you witness the amazing way Jake plays.

His latest release, "Etherica" describes his journey of disconnection, a time period in his life when he couldn't feel anything - happiness, sadness, anger, joy. Jake says "Content wise, the album basically sums up my personal feelings towards having an ego death. I think that anybody who deals with a depression of any kind will find some comfort in listening to the lyrics on this record... I've been calling it progressive ethereal rock for a while now. Throughout the wide array of dynamic changes I feel that there's a reoccurring feeling of floating or flying that is being evoked."

When you have a chance, watch the youtube video, "Slappy Thang". Great, great stuff. And of course, pick up "Etherica". Jake will actually be on the road this fall with a whole band, so check out the schedule, and keep reading for all the answers to the XXQ's.

XXQs: Jake Allen

PEV: With a rich collection of styles, how would you describe your sound ?

Jake Allen (JA): Hmmm... it's kind of tough to describe it but I've been calling it progressive ethereal rock for a while now. When I write I don't aim for a style, just what pleases my ears. What comes out is usually hard to categorize but I do think the word ethereal well describes one aspect of the music. Throughout the wide array of dynamic changes I feel that there's a reoccurring feeling of floating or flying that is being evoked. It's not country.

PEV: Calling Michigan home, what kind of music where you into growing up? Was anyone your main influence?

JA: I was first inspired to play music by watching and listening to my father who has been a musician all of his life. He was my main influence to begin playing music in general. He inspired me to play keyboards and he raised me on progressive bands like Yes, ELP, and Genesis who crafted albums in a conceptual kind of way. By the time I was eleven I started listening to bands like Nine Inch Nails, Deftones and other groups whose technical skills fell way short the prog bands yet they showed me a completely different approach to using emotion in music. Of course my father was a bit surprised when my keyboard playing went from prog infused arpeggios to three note "shit rock" melodies, although I do sense that it was a necessary stage for me to go through as a young musician.

PEV: At the age of 22 you’ve been able to do more than most ,but, what was it like for you when you first started out?

JA: Well, I was very blessed to be born into a musical family where creativity was an everyday type of thing. The thought of making records thrilled me as young boy and I found myself in my father’s home studio whenever he was between projects. He would help me get my ideas onto tape. I was probably around nine years old when he helped me record my very first "album" which I called Looking at the Sky. I passed them out to my classmates in my school. I remember the excitement that I felt when I first was able to share my music with others. The feeling inspired me to keep on a musical path and I haven't stopped since.

PEV: What can fans expect from a live Jake Allen show?

JA: That depends on if they come out to a solo show or a performance with the full band. The solo show is just me with my acoustic guitar and my voice. They'll most likely see me compensating for the rawness of one acoustic guitar by playing the instrument in avant-garde styles similar to Andy McKee or Michael Hedges. There are a few tunes where I will be playing the fretboard with two hands while simultaneously slapping the body of the guitar for percussive effects. A lot of people call this a one man band effect because it often sounds like there is more than just one instrument being played. The solo shows consist of a lot of finger style guitar playing mixed with some occasional live looping which allows me to walk off the stage and go grab another drink from the bar mid-performance. Just kidding, that hasn't happened... yet. The performances with the full band are about quality musicianship, the chemistry between the four members, and rocking the hell out of the material. This is where I get my best cardio workout. Like most bands, performing together live is our passion and you can easily tell that throughout the show. The songs are accurately recreated on stage and we often use some light backing tracks so that nobody's favorite little synth or triangle sound gets left behind. At times we like to elaborate on the arrangements and really stretch.

PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage?

JA: ("Don't say doin your wife, don't say doin your wife") Hahaha. No but really, it's usually something like "what can I do to start this performance that will immediately win this crowd?" Being in a stage of my career where I am still playing some weekly three to four hour club gigs there is also the infamous "I hope I don't run out of material tonight" thought. It never happens but it crosses my mind a lot for some reason. When I'm playing with the band the usual thought is "yes! I am about to have a release of pure energy" or something dealing with the excitement and anticipation that comes with every show. I'm lucky to have never had any problems with getting nervous or scared on stage. I'm just very excited to play!

PEV: Tell us about what the period of your life when you say you were plagued with “the thing.”

JA: Let me start out by saying, I've always been a really happy guy and have never had any real bouts with depression other than emotions triggered by conditional events. In January of 2009 I went through what I would call a involuntary ego death and my life got very dull. I guess you medically refer to it as something called "depersonalization." I remember the exact moment it set in. I was preparing to leave home for the first time and set out on an adventure with an amazing woman named Sarah Colclasure whom I had met a few months before. About five days before we left I was with two of my closest friends. All of the sudden I felt extremely distant from them, like I was outside of my own body. I felt a numbness. I was ambushed by this feeling and it grew in intensity over the next week and into our journey across the country. Sarah and I kind of jokingly dubbed my condition "the thing." Sarah and I stayed on the road for two months before we landed in San Diego where we would live for the next six months. While in Tucson, I wrote the opening cut to the soon to be album "Ascension" and thought I could be onto something pretty interesting. I had never written anything with that kind of message and it felt like it effortlessly came through me. While living in San Diego, somehow, a "guru" or "mystic" named Ram Dass came into my life. I had a CD set that had a bunch of recordings of his speakings about awakening, existentialism, and his tips to India where he studied with these famous gurus. It was really comforting to hear about all these things because all the topics were so closely related to what I had been experiencing since acquiring "the thing." I got a lot of answers. I decided to set up a tour for the fall months and leave San Diego. Sarah flew back to Michigan and I fearlessly hit the road and performed all over the country for three months. It was around this point when I realized that "the thing" was kind of like tool I could use to do things without questioning the outcome. It worked with me and against me in the sense that I did not care what happened.

If something great would happen, I would be numb to it, if something bad would happen, I would be numb to it. It allowed me to take a lot of risks. I even almost died a couple times. "Almost" so I guess I still have a survival instinct. I could feel a lot of creativity stirring inside me during the trip. I decided that I would dedicate the next year to recording a new album about what I had been going through in 2009. It was the best recording process I had ever experienced. I started to get my joy back and began to experience moments of pure bliss in the studio. The creativity was therapeutic and I could feel real happiness! I wrote a lot of the material in the studio, again, effortlessly. At times, it felt like I was not the one creating it, but it was a gift. I realized that "the thing," the dullness, was a blessing in the sense that later I would be creating extremely potent music about this dullness. "The thing" ruled my life , but I started to rule it and use it as a tool. "The thing" is an infinite awareness that is indestructible by any worldly things.

PEV: What was the underlining inspiration for your music? Where do get your best ideas for songs?

JA: The best ideas, I think most artists can agree on, come from real life experiences. When I was a teenager I wrote about the real life experiences I had with girls as a lot of young artists do. Now, the experience that came from having "the thing" was the underlining inspiration behind the creation of "Etherica." What I find to be most interesting about the new experience is the size of it on a cosmic scale. It seems as if it has amplified my abilities to express myself. I'm extremely lucky to have been given an outlet to express these experiences. I think that if I did not have the outlet I would be a very unhappy dude with a lot of pent up emotional baggage. Thanks to having an outlet I am able to channel all of those feelings into one concentrated thing. I believe that having a healthy outlet of some kind is very important and will prevent people from taking out there emotions on other people. Violent people have not yet found an outlet. If one of them reads this I'm sure they'll want to kick my ass. They'll say something like "this kid thinks he's got it goin bosanova."

PEV: Tell us about your latest release, "Etherica". What can fans expect from this work?

JA: Well, if you go back and listen to any earlier release of mine I think anybody would agree that "Etherica" is on a different level than anything I have previously done, both the music and the content. Content wise, the album basically sums up my personal feelings towards having an ego death. I think that anybody who deals with a depression of any kind will find some comfort in listening to the lyrics on this record. Hell, it might even cure them! Musically, I think this album is more advanced than my previous works. It has a rainbow of moods.

PEV: Do you ever find yourself getting writer’s block and if so, how do you get over that?

JA: Nowadays I write most of my music in the studio and there seems to be enough tools in there to keep me inspired on the music end. Although sometimes I do have a hard time turning my thoughts into lyrics that flow correctly throughout a song. Usually brainstorming using a mind map technique can help me a bit. Sometimes that method does not help at all and I'll either have to wait for the right formula to pop into my brain or I'll have to just throw away the idea completely. I actually wrote a song once about having writer's block to try and get over it at the time. Like any artist, I love it when the lyrics just flow out with the music. I also find it interesting that the majority of the stuff that flows out easily ends up being the most "commercial" material. At least it's like that for me. It makes me think about the collective consciousness and makes me really wonder what makes something "commercial" or likable to an average listener even when the content makes no linear sense.

PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about Jake Allen?

JA: I play all of the instruments on my records and I produce, mix, and master all of the music myself... I also do not use electricity.

PEV: Is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet?

JA: I would like to go and play to as many places as I can and experience the lifestyle in those places. There are spots in Europe that I would love to venture to next year. I'd like to go wherever there are people who are fulfilled by live music in some positive way.

PEV: What can we find you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?

JA: I like to play disc golf and blackjack.

PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?

JA: There is a band from Michigan called Ella Riot (formerly known as My Dear Disco) whom I think are going to be buzz worthy. I hope the best for them and I think their music is great. There is a lot joy, energy, and fun in their material.

PEV: If you weren’t playing music now what do you think you would be doing as your career?

JA: Probably something in the field of psychology.

PEV: So, what is next for Jake Allen?

JA: Super long term- ohm. Long term- successfully communicating something of importance through a successful career in music. Mid term- tour with the band this fall. Short term- lunch. - Pens Eye View (interview)

2011 has been a pretty dead year for music. We’ve went through the releases of countless artists in a variety of genres, from Christian to punk to metal and even classical, and very few acts really seem to shine. I contend that Jake Allen’s Etherica is one of a small number of titles that ultimately deserve repeated listens. Allen’s work, beginning with the disc’s first track “Ascension”, is of the timbre and quality that will immediately pique a listener’s interest. After he has ensnared a bevy of new fans, Allen can truly let his wings spread. The track has a little bit of electronic, traditional rock, emotive arrangements, and a properly-fitting length to explore every nook and cranny.

This six-plus minute track is masterfully crafted, with soaring guitar lines and dusky soundscapes impressing with scintillating takes on genres and overall sounds. “Like A Feather” is the next highwater mark for Allen; the track ebbs and flows, with pensive and quiet arrangements working perfectly alongside tempestuous outpourings of emotion. “Etherica” does not fail to impress during the twelve-track cycle; later efforts like “Fix Me Professor” and “The Ransom” are at least as strong as “Open Space” or “Dinosaur”. “Fix Me Professor” speeds things up, with absolutely sizzling guitar lines and jammy drums providing the lower end. What results is something that will appease fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan as well as Muse or even The Appleseed Cast.

What results in this track is something that works no matter what music a listener fancies themselves; there are brief odes to orchestral 70s rock, 80s power-rock, 90s alternative, and current technically-based acts like Queens of the Stone Age. “The Ransom” takes listeners on an eight-minute journey that explores atmospheric sounds, brooding guitar lines, snappy drum work, and seemingly everything but the kitchen sink. However, Allen does not do this to clutter things up – everything has its place, turning “The Ransom” into one of the disc’s brightest stars. There is no easy way to categorize what Allen does with “Etherica”, so I would just say to check out his music at your first free moment.

Top Tracks: Open Space, Like A Feather

Rating: 8.1/10 - Neufutur Magazine

Jake Allen is a musician who is very necessary in the 21st century music landscape in that he has learned from genre forefathers and taken the next evolutionary step, bridging a time-and-age gap to make traditional sounds relevant in the modern era.

In the case of ETHERICA, Allen begins with a base of singer-songwriter folk music, imbues a transcendental sense of self, and envelops it all in an uplifting, King's X meets Tears For Fears pop/rock package. Each song sets a mood for his musical autobiography. During the process, Allen also injects vintage progressive (there's a new oxymoron) and classic New Age (another one) elements into his songwriting, for while the instrumentation is very minimalistic, the vibe is entrancingly atmospheric. ETHERICA is like indie rock for the naturalist.

Through each track, Allen paints a Bob Ross-like musical landscape and plants you, the listener, right in the middle of it (leaning against a "happy little tree," if you will). He could very well be the guitar hero for anti-guitar heroes. He does not sugarcoat his melodies with fretboard gymnastics - each note is strummed or plucked into existence with distinct purpose. There are moments throughout ETHERICA where Allen's tranquil delivery borders on Peter Gabriel-esque metaphysicality, as though you are vacationing inside your own head.

And yet, there is enough of a rock edge to ground the experience in reality. Tracks like "Dinosaur" and "Indian Summer" allow Allen's rock roots to take over and express the bitter realism that infects our daily lives. But it is his near-tangible, ambient cuts like the self-explanatory "Autumnal" and the ‘picnic in Central Park' quality of the title track that will strike a chord with most listeners.

Mark Morton - Music Emissions

When quality & precision clash head on you get ‘Etherica’. Jake Allen is his name and making dark times sound so wonderful is his game. The idea behind the new record was originally supposed to be based on dreams but instead Jake is left with a harsh reality.

This singer/songwriter from Michigan started recording tracks at just six years old plus was working on his debut album at just 13! Obviously Allen was a music enthusiast at an extremely young age and for the most part always a happy-going person. It wasn’t until recently in 2009 when Jake was surprisingly hit with an overwhelming feeling of being lost and confused. Jake himself called this time in his life “an involuntary ego death” which links up to a medical term known as depersonalization. He and a friend jokingly came up with “the thing” for his sudden condition that produced some gloomy times for Jake Allen. Talk about something so intensely negative and turning it into something so positive as Jake discovered an effectively healthy outlet. Allen’s therapy came by way of writing, playing & recording songs which gave way to some of the most creative material he’s ever written. The world around him and his life was finally brightening up thanks to music. Out of this comes 12 tracks that examines Jake’s struggle to deal with his condition but in the end he conquers it all. Bear witness to one incredible journey that is both spiritual & enlightening in nature on ‘Etherica’. Mr. Allen is now ready to enrich your lives through his complete acceptance & understanding of “the thing”.

The disc starts up with a song titled “Ascension” that is musically appealing as it moves and moves you all at the same time. Next up on “Open Space” you get a cool and free-flowing sensation with nice ‘n’ crisp vocals. Jake’s vocal performance really impressed me throughout the album because his voice has a direct & distinct vulnerability to it that really draws a listener in. On track three “Dinosaur” I simply loved the all-out rock feel here complete with “Dy-no-mite!” guitar and drums. Just as a dinosaur was a massive creature, this number is equally powerful in terms of substance. That rocked out atmosphere pops up again like on the song “Fix Me Professor” where you hear awesome guitar playing and off-the-charts energy! This kid can play a mean guitar and he proves it on ‘Etherica’. It’s not all rock though by any means as Jake gives you a track like “Autumnal” that plays like a short but sweet dream. On the title track Allen brings it down to a soft ‘n’ easy mode with emotionally-drenched lyrics & vocals thrown in for good measure. On “The Ransom” you get to hear a pleasant harmony that really entices you and keeps you involved.

The mix of songs here came across as very rewarding & therapeutic not just for Jake but also for the audience. This record still could be considered a dream-inspired world full of real life thoughts & feelings hiding around every corner. I’m just glad Jake Allen found his way back to give us ‘Etherica’; I’m a grateful fan!

By Jimmy Rae (jrae@skopemag.com)

Rating: 5.0 Stars
- Skope Magazine

At the ripe age of 22 years, Jake Allen has completed his third full-length album. Etherica (Dharma Records) the title of his 12-track offering, is a mature and very complete package. The album displays a restless vibe, a wandering sound. Allen's work is complex, original and inspiring.
Smooth Jazz Aura

"Ascension" (track one) has this sonic intro that slowly tumbles into a cascading storm of strings. Allen's voice is clear; his delivery lively. At times this song has a smooth jazz aura to it; other times it has the same complex layering and soft sound, as say 30 Seconds to Mars. "Open Space" (track two) has this killer electronic string plucking action going on, ushering in a throbbing base and light beeps. "Open Space" is a calming, mellow song.

"Dinosaur" has this extra charge to it. The lyrics are interesting and Allen's voice is grittier. This writer may have lost the meaning behind the chorus and words. "Like a Feather" (track five) has this poppy-jazzy feel to it at first. The dramatic change to a nearly alternative rock chorus/bridge is a welcomed layering.

As each track unfolds, Allen's experiments with sounds, fusing rock and jazz are cathartic and ever-changing. No track mirrors another. As in track 11 ("Ransom") each song is cerebral, layered in such a way the listener finds a path of calmness or happiness in this 'choose your own adventure' type of mood.

60s Rock Sound

No doubt Allen can write and his pallet is varied ("Indian Summer" is a fine example). He draws from a very modern sound, but as in "Indian Summer" (track seven) the backing guitar riff is 60s rock with this folk-like wind instrument. For some reason, this song had the layering that reminded this listener of Sugarloaf's "Green Eyed Lady." This is cool song.
Overall CD Review is A

Fans of Owl City and 30 Seconds to Mars will want to check out Jake Allen's Etherica. Listeners should pay special attention to tracks seven ("Indian Summer), nine ("Fix Me"), the title track and track 11 ("The Ransom"). Other stand out tracks include track one ("Ascension) and "Open Space" (track two). Overall, Etherica gets a solid A review. Jake Allen has mastered the art of fusing Indie rock with a smooth jazz feel, layering it over with fresh lyrics and a unique sonic hybrid sound.


- Suite 101

Michigan singer/songwriter Jake Allen releases his latest CD entitled Etherica in 2011 under Dharma Records. To quote Allen - Ultimately, Etherica is about triumphing over darkness even as the battle to understand it continues. He is one of those composers out there that is a one man band, or a single composer. Simply put he's kind of like Beck, Trent Reznor, or Thomas Dolby with respect to crafting the musical art form.



The CD kicks things off with “Ascension” a slow building into piece that flows & ebbs its way through to emotional fruition with its driving rock rhythm, melodic rhythm guitar, & hypnotic vocal vibe from Allen. Track 2 “Open Space” is an upbeat follow up piece that serves up synthetic rock groove against easy flowing guitar rhythms & hooky vocal melodies. Track 3 “Dinosaur” dishes out yet another thought provoking piece of music with rocking rhythm guitars, well-placed harmonies & catchy vocal hooks. The CD makes a solid first impression dishing out 3 impressive songs in a row. As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear many different musical textures reminiscent of such acts like John Mayer, Jack Johnson, & even a dash of Jeff Buckley – but for the record Allen's sound is extremely hard to pigeonhole. The music itself is an impressive blend of progressive rock & even has a progressive aftertaste that is extremely dynamic & melodic in nature. Allen’s voice goes down smooth & is full of passion, reckless abandon & bold honesty. The musicianship from Allen is world class & kudos goes out to his amazing solo guitar work & impressive drumming. Also present besides the 4 piece standard delivery you will notice impressive percussive accents, piano, & well placed keyboard accents layered along the way. The songs themselves are extremely dynamic, & progressive in nature. The songwriting is extremely creative & highly original. Those who enjoy off time rhythm sections & dynamic time changes will love this release. Each song possessing a unique personality, flair & signature groove. Many of the songs have a theatrical intensity about them making for a very entertaining listening experience. I especially like how the whole CD just flows across the ears song for song & note for note. From dynamic “Like a Feather” to striking “The Witness” to mesmerizing “Autumnal”to the melodic title track this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with “Euphonic” the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber.



It’s hard to find any noticeable weaknesses with a production such as this. I would however offer up 2 items. It’s fair to say a few songs take too long to develop, with excessive intros, outros, & even musical meandering. It’s fair to say all songs over 4 minutes tend to drag you to the finish line.



Overall Etherica by Jake Allen is an extremely entertaining catalogue of music. It’s strong suit – the amazing amount of originality, creativity & musical diversity this CD has to offer. The production value is thick as a brick, & like the aforementioned I especially enjoyed the amazing musicianship & amazing flow & ebb quality to the catalogue. My hats off the Allen for taking all this on himself & pulling it off very well. All in all Jake Allen stands out from other artists with his unique signature sound & multitalented virtuoso.



Cyrus Rhodes - Indie Music Digest

"My friend and pianist extraordinare, Allen Bondar, first introduced me to his 14 year old son, JAKE ALLEN while playing in my band, The Soul's Journey band in the middle 1990's in Michigan. I was literally astounded at the wonderful music put forth by this child of a friend. JAKE ALLEN was, and is, 10 years later, a beautiful potential realized. Transcendent songs accompanied by translucent guitar stylings, each propelling the always youthful sexuality of JAKE'S plaintive vocals. In my opinion, JAKE ALLEN is young genius, bursting forth into a world of musical predictability and shallow inquiry into the facts of life, and providing a unique perspective on life from a young, gifted man."

- DICK WAGNER: Lead Guitarist and Songwriter -- Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Kiss, Lou Reed

Jake Allen is truly a musician's musician and will continue to surprise us with his art for years to come. - -GRAMMY AWARD WINNING PRODUCER JUSTIN WILSON

Jake Allen is truly a musician's musician and will continue to surprise us with his art for years to come. - -Grammy Award winning producer Justin Wilson

"Jake Allen is a young newcomer to San Diego. He's a solid songwriter and singer- but when he puts two hands on the fretboard he virtually has no peer! Jake's amazing, jaw-dropping two-handed technique puts him in a class all by himself! On top of his blazing acoustic guitar work, Jakes' CD, "Heart Consumer And The Artist," shows that his acoustic work is just the tip of the iceberg. Jakes' CD is a cutting-edged modern alternative rock release with full band arrangements, massive electric guitars, solid power vocals, punchy drumming, and tight bass work- and all songs are written and performed by Jake himself!"



- -JIM EARP, WORLD FINGERSTYLIST, TOP FIVE RUNNER UP