Jake Swamp and The Pine
It wasn’t hard for me to enjoy this song. It’s just a fun song to listen to. It’s anthemic and empowering. You can’t go wrong with these kind of songs. Listening to “Empty Stomachs and Bloodshot Eyes" just makes me happy and nostalgic. What a record. I really cannot wait to hear more music from Jake Swamp and The Pine.
"Empty Stomachs and Bloodshot Eyes" is out now !
Photo credit: @lexie.jeanne
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Big question! I grew up in a small town outside of Boston. Like most musicians, I started with piano, and then slowly made my way into bass guitar. It was very opportunistic of me because I truly just wanted to play in a band. I ended up really liking it though, and in high school auditioned to be in two a cappella groups on a whim, where I really developed a love of singing, which turned into a love of writing music.
Besides music, I love anything/everything outdoors; hiking, biking, climbing, walking my dog in the woods, camping, etc. I'm an amateur crossfitter too, which helps with the stamina I need to sing, play the kick drum, guitar, harmonica, and foot tambourine for hours on end!
What did you grow up listening to?
I went through so many phases. The earliest I can remember was 90's grunge (Nirvana), then pop-punk, hip-hop, and eventually went the route of jam bands/folk/americana. I think I started really connecting to music once I started listening to Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, The Band, etc.
What gave you the confidence to be an artist and release your original music? What was the biggest challenge when you first started?
Honestly, 75 year old Drew. He'd be super disappointed if I didn't do anything in my power and ability to pursue being a musician. It's something that brings me pure joy (and heartburn), but mostly joy. The biggest challenge I started was getting over the idea that if I did pursue music as a career, that the stress of having to make ends meet would cause me to resent it.
When did you know you were good at what you were doing?
I have imposter syndrome so I'm still not entirely sure I'm good at what I'm doing, but in high school I was part of Paul Green School of Rock. I auditioned for the touring group as a bassist and was accepted. I simultaneously developed an interest in singing and auditioned for two different a cappella groups and ended up getting accepted to both. Between all of these groups, I started to think people may enjoy what I brought to the table.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
My parents! They fully supported me with lessons, coming to my shows, access to material, books, etc. I was/am super fortunate.
"Empty Stomachs and Bloodshot Eyes" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
I was sick with COVID and devouring every music documentary on Netflix that I could. Of all documentaries, the Shawn Mendez one featured a portion where he returned to his hometown and walked on a field that he grew up playing soccer on. I started to reflect on the debauchery of high school, and the midnights spent longboarding and running around Haskell Field in Sudbury where I grew up and how in that period of my life, I had the least amount of responsibility and was the most free. I don't think at any point during that time I realized that.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single? Who helped you create it?
Shawn Mendez, haha. I started picturing a vivid memory I have of being on a swing set at 1am or so, smoking with my best friends and just laughing. That's the opening line "Take me back to the field where it all started, where I left broken hearted on my own // Sit on the swing set where you had your first kiss...." I played around with that, and initially it was a slow and somber finger picking song. My producer, Josh Gold, challenged me to turn up the notch a little because the feeling that I tried to capture in the song is so universal, that if it were reworked as a pop anthem, it may have wider appeal. We took a stab at it and it ended up feeling much more like an anthem than it originally was.
What's your favorite lyric on "Empty Stomachs and Bloodshot Eyes"?
Cold basements where we could be safely stoned
Once thought we were alone your mom smelled smoke
Not because it's super introspective or anything, but because it's based on true events and a story that my friends and I still laugh about to this day (15 years later). We were smoking outside of a friend's house, in what we thought was a reasonable distance. After going inside to the basement to hang out, my friends' mom, partner, and brother came downstairs to reprimand us for smoking. My first friend, whose parent it was, immediately fell on the floor laughing - absolutely no hiding. My second friend launched into a narrative about how marijuana is mistreated and misunderstood in this country, and I just flat out denied everything.
What do you want people to feel when listening to this song?
Nostalgia. Happiness. I want people to dance around their kitchen with a wooden spoon as a microphone.
As an artist, what is the hardest part?
Imposter syndrome. There are so many artists out there doing amazing work, and it's hard to not compare yourself and your own work to theirs.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I think more resources and support for developing artists. Both financially, but also ensuring that big companies like Spotify, Pandora, Apple, etc. do what they can to support up and coming artists.
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I would have to say performing at the Boston Music Awards at Brighton Music Hall! The venue was so amazing, and all the BMA nominees were there, so the room was filled with amazing talent. I only had 15 minutes, but I made the absolute most of it.
What biggest lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?
Patience. Nothing happens at the speed I want it to (laughs). Managers, talent buyers, booking agents...they all respond at their own pace. Success isn't built overnight, and in most cases, a career isn't made or broken by the first single - it's made by consistently putting out new music, touring, taking as many opportunities as you can, and not giving up if your song has the <1000 number next to it on Spotify.
What advice would you give to artists out there?
You need to persevere. In line with the lesson I learned about patience, nothing happens after the first time you do something. Your career won't sky rocket because you put out a great album, it'll sky rocket because you consistently put out several great albums (or singles). And also, just be a person other people want to spend time with. Having amazing music is a huge component, but another one is being entertaining, humble, kind, and appreciative. People will come out to see you again or follow you on social media, because of your personality.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
I think more resources for those who need them; access to food, clean drinking water, education, affordable healthcare, arts, expression, and all of the above.
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