“Jacob Martin is the culmination of what makes people happy, and what they need to hear. People might not know it yet….but they will†Emmy Boyce-Alternative Addiction.com
Jacob Martin is a four member pop/rock band based out of the Minneapolis/St Paul area. Led by singer/songwriter Jacob Martin, the group also showcases the talents of Marco Kielholz on guitar and backup vox (graduate of the Berklee College of Music), James Shaff on bass guitar and Jordan Keating on drums.
The idea of Jacob Martin started when Jacob, jaded from numerous band break ups, decided to strike out on a solo career. He placed an ad in the Minneapolis City Pages searching for a partner to help with production and writing. Soon he met Marco, and the two clicked right away. As with many bands, their early collaborations took place in a basement apartment where they hashed out various demos under the new band name Jacob Martin.
A part-time gig delivering pizzas turned into a crucial opportunity for the pair, when they were able to slip in a demo disc with an order to a local recording studio. After listening to the demo, the studio owner called them in and praised Jacob’s polished voice and talent for songwriting. They signed their first production contract and recorded a 5 song EP titled, “Crawling Away.†However, with just a studio drummer and Marco picking up both bass and guitar, they began seeking out more musicians to realize their goals of playing live.
Soon Jacob discovered James Shaff at a local music store, skillfully trying out one of the basses on the floor. Recognizing his notable talent, Jacob approached him, told him of their need for a bass player, and the band was on its way to completion. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place with Jordan Keating, whose practiced drum stylings added a steady beat to anchor the band. Now complete, Jacob Martin was ready to rock the socks off the Twin Cities!
After only a short time, Jacob Martin attracted the attention of a booking agency, and began playing gigs throughout the metro area and upper Midwest. While touring, they blended Jacob’s captivating songwriting and soulful voice with intricate guitar melodies and solid rock beats, perfecting their infectious pop/rock sound.
In three short years the band has played hundreds of shows, opened for numerous regional and national acts, and caught the attention of professional producer Paul Peterson (The Corrs, The Time, BB MacK) and producer/engineer team Matt Kirkwold and James Harley of World Record Productions (Quiet Drive, Luck Boys Confusion). Through these collaborations Jacob Martin recently recorded, “Who The Heck Is Jacob Martin,†an EP that clearly demonstrates the heart and soul these four men have poured into their music.
Jacob Martin’s songwriting focuses on the positive side of everyday life while maintaining a crisp, inspiring sound. Songs like, “Until You Do†and “Out Loud†not only rock, but evoke deeper emotions with their captivating lyrics about love and life. The band looks at each performance as a way to improve and grow, working hard to make the most of their achievements. Jacob Martin is currently submitting their new EP to record labels - It should not be long till these guys are heard over national airwaves!
