Jake Ballentine
South Pasadena, California, United States
Music
Press
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Discography
Without Love (2010)
The Songs Inside (2008)
Photos
Bio
Jake Ballentine has been entertaining audiences throughout the western United States with his unique brand of alternative folk music for 4 years. By mixing songwriting influences of Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens with his intimate and energietic live performances Jake has been able to transcend generational tastes. Both the young and old stop to listen to his golden James Taylor-like voice sing heartfelt lyrics and soulful tunes, often unconsciously tapping their feet, swaying their hips, or clapping. One iTunes fan review states, “Jake Ballentine’s heartfelt music fills the gap that is missing in much of today’s music.”
As a performer Jake strikes a fine balance of humor, insight, energy and personality. It's common for people to approach him between songs or after his sets and thank him for a good show. People who experience Jake's live performances walk away happy, that is if they walk away at all.
His new album "Without Love" captures a sense of honesty and vulnerability rare to the modern music scene. Using layers of guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica as the background to socially observant lyrics; all this as a means to Jake's intention to penetrate humanity and discover what makes it tick. His songs are evidence of his thoughtfulness, with many of his songs containing simple, moving stories from a man yearning to be with his family at home ("Take the Next Train") to meeting a man who has everything, but no one in his life ("Without Love").
After living in Washington and Idaho the 24 year old singer / songwriter returned to California with his wife Caitlin to focus on music full time. Jake said that he, “always wanted to give 100% of my effort to music, but I never had the courage to ‘go for it’ until I got married and had the support of my wife.” Since then he has landed gigs at notable venues including Universal Studios, The Room 5 Lounge, and The Viper Room in Hollywood, CA.
Expect to hear more from Jake Ballentine as he continues to write and perform songs that defy the boundaries of age and genre.
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