Jakey T's creative odyssey
Meeting Jakey Thomas is a curious thing.
His conversation tinged with hyperbole and formulated awkwardness. He exudes an uncomplicated yet genderless sex appeal. His talent is obvious. His demeanor is overt.
Glamour surrounds him in a way that is so natural you can’t imagine him anywhere but on stage. It seems that he performs everywhere, so clearly, Northern Michigan agrees.
We sat down with Thomas at the Snowbelt Brewing Co. awhile back to discuss his creative process in hopes of understanding the man behind the myth.
As we sit, we are immediately interrupted by a man asking some odd, obscure question about music. When asked if he gets asked questions like this, often, Thomas simply answers, “I do.”
Reared on hard rock, ‘80s metal and Elvis, it is easy to see Thomas’ influence in his style.
“My parents listened to a lot of just like hard rock and ‘80s metal. I guess ‘80s arena rock and that kind of stuff — classic rock. They bought me a Smashing Pumpkins album when I was 4. I was always really into music. I had a couple of guitars when I was younger, but I never really learned how to play them. I would just like strum it and record songs, lyrics on a tape recorder,” Thomas recalls.
Thomas has had quite an evolution since then.
“I was like 12, or so when I learned how to play guitar. I joined a band shortly after. It was just a kid band. We pointed at a cool word in the dictionary and got our name. The name isn’t important. That band evolved over the years. I played with a lot of those musicians in high school and some of my professional bands,” Thomas says.
Since those days, he has become more of what he has envisioned for himself.
“I kind of always wanted to be what I am now. I got my first couple of guitars when I was a kid. I would strum and make up lyrics. I wouldn’t bother to learn a chord or anything because I wanted to be a rock and roller, and that’s it. I just wanted to rock, man,” Thomas says.
Ever in a state of self-improvement, Thomas is his harshest critic.
“I try to see myself as always learning and always not good enough. It’s not even that I want to see myself that way. Most gigs end and I’m just like, ‘God, I could be a lot better,’ or ‘yeah, this sucked.’ I’m not good enough, and I’m not even close to good enough. I’m disappointed in where I’m at. I’m 28 soon. I thought it would’ve been way different,” Thomas states.
His vulnerability is so palpable at that moment; it is evident that he gives his audience everything he has.
Thomas’ style has many influences. From the Beatles to Bowie and Prince to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Thomas’ style comes from great men who like to blur lines.
“I’m purposely just trying to be shocking. That androgyny thing struck me because there are so many sexy artists that blur lines, and it attracts such a wider audience. I really like that it breaks down people’s barriers,” Thomas says.
“Lyrically, I am inspired by philosophy and metaphysics, but also casual mundane things, and love and suffering, of course,” Thomas laughs. “I also drop a lot of literary references, especially ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and ‘Clockwork Orange’ and ‘Harry Potter.’”
To get more information on Jakey Thomas and his musical journey, check out his FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/whatwouldjakeydo/.
