Jake Parker

It’s the individual, not the industry that defines the music of Jake Parker.

Passion not a pattern set the course for his work. “A lot of my music's inspiration comes from my life and situations in it – good or bad,” the Oklahoma native said. “I try to be as real and honest as possible when writing songs.  So if I am feeling a certain way while writing a song, that’s what comes out – again good or bad.”

The one-size-fits-all genres have never fit Parker.

“I would say that I am a folk/rock artist,” he said. “Not just folk but not just rock, a good blend of the two.” This stems from having drawn from a vast and diverse amount of musicians and bands -- heavy metal to folk music.  He’s blended the influence of heavy rock or pop punk bands like Rise Against, Against Me, Mayday Parade, All Time Low, The Starting Line and The Dangerous Summer with Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. “I admire so much how all of these artists, even though have totally different sounds, always have a sense of authenticity to their sound and a true genuine writing method,” Parker said. “It makes their songs so relatable and inviting.  And that’s what I always want to be with music -- real, genuine and authentic.” Parker’s path has already led him to such major marks as opening for bands like Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, or The Dangerous Summer.

Because of his open, honest approach, Jake Parker’s new album “Cynical”, allows the listener to be introduced to the artist. “My ultimate goal is to get a copy of this CD in everyone’s hands,” Parker said.  “This CD was written so close to the chest and has been so important to me over the last year. I just want people to get the chance to hear it and hopefully it will help someone when they need it just like it did for me when I needed it.” And what better way to carry out an authentic approach than an album filled with acoustic instruments. There are no embellishments on this CD; the sound is as real as the passion that inspired it.

“There are a lot of really cool things about this album,” Parker said. “I went into it with a goal.”

That goal?

“To keep it as personal as possible.”