David Jacobs-Strain emerged from the rain soaked mountains of Western Oregon storming the festival circuit as a dynamic blues prodigy. Like a diesel powerhouse of raw energy, David speeds across the landscape of the Country Blues to the earthbound grooves of the Mississippi Delta, with his driving slide guitar and fervent vocals. His passion stretches the limits of the blues with blazing guitar breakdowns that verge on psychedelia and highlight his intimate knowledge of the fretboard.
"David’s material comes across like a master as yet undiscovered, an acoustic gem ready to take on all comers and deservedly waiting his place among the elite of his profession. — Greg Johnson, Cascade Blues NotesHis album Ocean or a Teardrop, produced by Kenny Passarelli [Otis Taylor, Joe Walsh], features an enticing blend of roots classics, energetic instrumentals, and originals that showcase both the expanding nature of David Jacobs-Strain’s songwriting skills as well as the politically conscious evolution of his music. With the collaboration of guests, Joe Craven and Peter Joseph Burtt, we see slide guitar and harmonica rise from the swamp of the blues to meet the West African Kora and the Turkish Oud, creating the organic energy of a great live jam session.
"David Jacobs-Strain--the young man with the age-old voice and guitar chops that make players twice his age break out in a cold sweat-..." &mdash J. Poet, Paste Magazine"Set to become a major figure in music, not just blues..." &mdash Chris Nickson, All Music Guide "His style is so emotional and true, that it may just be a sin..." — Michael Allison, Music Dish "For a young artist, being heralded as the "new Dylan" can be a mixed blessing. While obviously a compliment of the highest order, the expectations can be a heavy burden. Twenty-year-old acoustic guitarist David Jacobs-Strain, from Eugene, Oregon, however, has the vocal and nstrumental chops, along with the compositional skills and, most importantly, the moral convictions, to give it a shot. One can draw a straight line from Dylan’s intrepretation, at age 21, of Blind Lemon Jefferson’s "See That My Grave is Kept Clean" to Jacobs-Strain’s harrowing version of Bill Monroe’s "Wild Bill Jones..." — Dave Rubin, Guitar One MagazineAt twenty-four, David Jacobs-Strain is a veteran of the national club and festival circuit, having shared the stage with the likes of Boz Scaggs, Los Lobos, Bob Weir, David Lindley, Blind Boys of Alabama, Janis Ian, and Taj Mahal, Sonny Landreth, and Lucinda Williams. Credits include Strawberry Music Festival , Merlefest , Vancouver Folk Music Festival , Telluride Blues & Brews Festival , Montreal International Jazz Festival , Philadelphia Folk Festival , Newport Folk Festival , High Sierra Music Festival , and the Blues to Bop in Lugano, Switzerland.