Chris Jobe
Chris Jobe is a singer/songwriter/producer & multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles.
Originally from Ohio, Jobe released his debut single “Thank You Internet” in 2017, which garnered great acclaim from major outlets.
The musician made his television debut on NBC's Songland a few weeks back with a single about gun violence titled “It Could’ve Been You”.
Fusing elements of pop, electronic and hip-hop, his latest single “Bad Look Good” features American hip-hop artist Tim Gent.
“I was so so so broke and so was my girlfriend and we started fantasizing about us doing some crazy "Fun With Dick and Jane" type shit where we rob banks to pay rent. This song is purely hypothetical. I hate guns and violence, however, I am a fan of humorous action sequences in action-comedies where the anti-heroes save or accidentally destroy the day,” says Jobe.
Chris Jobe is creating his own musical identity by designing colorful records through outstanding vocals and stunning productions.
“Bad Look Good” is now available on major streaming platforms.
Introduce yourself. Where are you from?
Hi there, I’m Chris Jobe. I’m originally from Dayton, Ohio but I also see Nashville as my hometown, considering I lived there for almost 8 years before moving to LA in July.
What's your story?
I originally got into song writing when I was about 12 after my parents split. It became my outlet after I played them the first song I wrote, “Sympathetic Death Gown” (it was a very happy song), which resulted in my mom crying a lot. During my floating, on-going identity crisis in high school, I switched last minute from my lax bro lifestyle into becoming a baritone in the school’s a cappella group, Forte. Shortly after recording my first original mixtape and selling it at school, I got into Belmont University with a scholarship. Over four years, I really spent a ton of time serving tables to support my music addiction and had a decently successful indie rock group called Nodaway. After school, I transitioned into my poppier, self-produced self and have been touring and writing a ton after a series of well received singles and a few critically acclaimed indie music videos that found their way to viral success via industry movers like Billboard, Ones To Watch, Earmilk, and Facebook Music. I was also recently featured on NBC's new show, Songland, for an original song called "It Could've Been You".
Could you tell us a little bit about your childhood?
I played a lot in the woods and was the first boy to have a girlfriend in the third grade. Pretty crazy stuff. My dad had a slight karaoke obsession and my mom rocked out to the Chili Peppers while painting abstract art, so I was also exposed to art and music.
When did you start making music?
I got a guitar for Christmas when I was 12 and pretty shortly there after I started writing songs, but didn't start really singing till high school.
What did you grow up listening to?
My big loves were The Killers, The Strokes, Gorillaz, Alicia Keys, Moby, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park, early Coldplay, Spoon, Stromae, St. Germain, and Bombay Bicycle Club. I was definitely an alternative rock, but electronic kind of kid.
When did you decide to fully pursue music as a career?
I decided to pursue it when I was 18 when I started going to school for Music Business, but I didn't get to do it full time til February of last year. To be fully honest, I didn't hit my musical puberty til like a month ago where my fears of not being able to sustain myself in the future, etc dropped. I'm finally feeling confident in this career direction after finishing this upcoming album and diving into the next.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
Honestly, it wasn't family. That came after college. Earlier, I think it was this vocal coach from The Sing Off, Christopher Diaz, who came to help my high school a cappella group after I had sent him a few original Garage Band demos. Shortly after, I got all my peers on board when I started selling my high school mixtape.
How did your sound and artistry evolve over the years?
It's goofily becoming full circle. The mixtape I made in high school was so all over the place, like the timing of certain instruments was sloppy, and certain vocal notes were off, but the ideas and colors were really cool and free. Spending 8 years in Nashville makes you a much better and more polished musician and I definitely went down a poppier road the last 2 years than I could've ever predicted. So now I'm sitting in California, so over pop and excited to do something weird and rocky on album 2 even though album 1 hasn't dropped just yet.
What message do you want to convey through your song "It Could've Been You"?
It could've been you. It could've been me. It could've been us, or your family, but instead it was 'him.’ Instead it was 'her.’ It doesn't matter where you stand, because we are all getting hurt. Those are the lyrics to the hook. It's a nonpolitical, nonracial, simply human observation that is unique to America and its current lack of laws surrounding semi automatic weapons. It's really hard to play this one live because of what has happened at concerts and large gatherings in the U.S. The song is almost too real, but it’s still a very important conversation piece.
You recently released your single "Bad Look Good.” What's the story behind this song?
I was so so so broke and so was my girlfriend and we started fantasizing about us doing some crazy "Fun With Dick and Jane" type shit where we rob banks to pay rent. This song is purely hypothetical. I hate guns and violence, however, I am a fan of humorous action sequences in action-comedies where the anti-heroes save or accidentally destroy the day. I feel like this song could play in the background of something like Pineapple Express, The Other Guys, or an episode of Broad City.
What made you want to release "Bad Look Good" as a single?
It just felt single-y. What a terrible answer! But honestly, it does just have an edge to it that made me want to put it out so it can have it's own little spotlight. Songs are like having kids, you just like some better than others (I have 0 children).
What do you like the most about this song?
The wobbly drop and Chelsea's vocals (she is the chick singing and my co-writer on this and a few others on the album). Also, Tim Gent crushed the outro verse.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
This has been my least f**ks given track in the last year. In the photo, I'm wearing my girlfriend's jacket we bought in Shoreditch in London, and I'm holding my Buddha (he usually holds my headphones on my studio desk in a sort of ‘raise the roof’ or ‘hey, who gives a damn kind of fashion’). Seemed like a good equation for the attitude behind the song.
As a producer, what equipment and software do you usually use?
I use Ableton, Studio One, and a ton of plugins. I played guitar on this one and used an MPC sampler to get the drums.
In your opinion, what makes a "good" production?
Something that has an energy of an exclamation that is attention getting. It doesn't have to be intricate or loud, just grabbing and different. Something that stands out and feels exciting. That excitement is my drug. I find it sometimes in my music, but I find it more listening to others. I definitely felt in both "Bad Look Good" and "It Could've Been You" in contrasting ways.
What advice would you give to young producers?
If I were to meet a younger me, I would advise them to learn the basics first: compression, EQ, balance, then depth. I’d tell hin to try to keep it simple, but go crazy every once in a while, and be patient. It’s less about success from your art and more about the success of your art.
What vision do you have for your art?
I'm about to go into a weird rocky electro punk thing. It may not be pretty, but I really can't wait. It's gonna get weird in a really cool way. I've been singing more than ever and playing a ton of acoustic shows, so it might be a bit more raw and vocal focused too. TBD.
As an artist, what do you want to accomplish?
I want to chase my truth. I don't know if I will ever get there, but I feel closest to it on days when someone messages me something like their family member passed away and 'x song' has helped them cope. That's the coolest thing ever. That's why I started making music. So if I can keep accomplishing that while pushing myself, I'd be happy rich or poor.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Less focus on having material things or looking a certain way. Greater environmental conservation efforts and the paradigm shift from capitalistic ventures that cripple the planet in one way or another. Less assumptions of peoples' motives before really listening to one another. Seeking to understand before being understood. Love.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
Going to dark places in your head because you feel inadequate or because you're feeling a lost sense of self only leads to more blackness and more destruction. Friendship is more important than individualist western culture will let you believe. Comparison is the bastardization of self and kills your most authentic shot at true art. Everyone is their own worst enemy. Love on strangers even when they are prickly because you have no idea what is happening in their wild backstory between their own set of family issues, careers, bills, and love interests… even if they are only making a cameo in your life between scenes.
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