Jakob Martin

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step…requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Dear Friends and Fans,

I know it’s very college essay of me to open with a quotation (I’ll include a full MLA bibliography below).

The truth is that every cliche exists for a reason, and I love the fact that people are constantly quoting their heroes. It points out a very simple truth: We are standing on the shoulders of the those who have come before us. Proof of this is everywhere: in politics, music, technology, art, science, and every other form of human communication. We are continuously adding to the great human work of art.

For the last few months I’ve had an unshakable feeling that we’re on the verge of a revolution, a renaissance. I believe this decade is going to shape the way we live for the next fifty years. I’ve had the most incredible conversations with fellow artists, thinkers, and creators. And we all agree that something is about to happen.

We’ve had an interesting ten years leading up to this. The media claims it was the “worst decade ever”, and sure, it could have been a lot better. But let’s not forget, many of us grew up during the 00’s. I experienced my first real concert, my first kiss, went to college, and made decisions that have shaped every aspect of my life. The decade was what it was, but it was ours.

And now here we are, entering a new division of history. Why do I believe we’re going to have a revolution now? Because we’re going to create one.

As Dr. King said, progress is not inevitable. It is conscious and created by our own movement. There is no change without the changers. So here’s what I ask of you over the next few weeks, months, and years: Do something. Decide what kind of world you want to live in, and take one small step toward creating it.

I write and perform songs because it makes me feel alive. My music connects me to you, and it holds a mirror up to my own life. I’m grateful for this gift, and I’m determined to continue to live and work with imagination, hunger, and pride. In our own ways, we can each contribute something humble to this unique moment we’re creating on earth.

We are dreamers, thinkers, creators, and doers. For a brief moment, we’re all here. This is our time. Let’s move together.

Happy New Year,

Jakob

“STAY ON THIS ROAD” – YouTube – documents moments of Jakob’s creative process throughout 2009 as he writes, records, releases, and tours to promote his EP “City of the Nameless”

Bibliography:

1. Martin, Jakob. Out of College, phew! San Diego, Dress to im Press, 2010

Have you ever seen a middle-aged woman get hit on the head by a 5 foot harmonica? I have.

Despite the Black Friday madness, I figured somehow that by going to the music store before 9am I would beat the system (what musicians are up that early?!) Of course I was waaay off…by the time I got to Guitar Center, it was like hangover Disneyland in there.

There was this giant display harmonica on top of a rotating rack, and apparently a bolt was loose, because when I went to turn the shelf, this giant 5 foot metal harmonica came loose and crashed down onto the head of an unsuspecting mother who was, no-doubt, innocently making a holiday purchase for her favorite emo kid. In the course of a second, you could see a stampede of shoppers come to a halt while everyone gathered around to glimpse the epic event that just took place.

Fortunately, she was alright, and, after a couple of minutes and a lot of attention from the staff and fellow shoppers, she went on her way, much to my relief and the relief of  an army of onlookers, who then continued to brutally climb over each other, deal-hungry.

I have decided that black friday isn’t really my shopping day of choice. I’m back home, by 10:02 am. Ready to get re-pajama-d and settle in with a movie.  Happy shopping, suckas!

Since the dawn of civilization, bathrooms have been a place of solitude, serenity, and reflection. They are one place where, no matter what is happening in the world, a person can escape with a book,  magazine, (significant other), or simply with his/her thoughts- and disappear for up to twenty minutes, completely unaccounted for.

For years, the bathroom has been a place of meditation for me. I have developed songs, invented brilliant solutions to social dilemmas, and realized hundreds of great puns while staring at peaceful blank stall doors. Not only that, but at the end of one’s business, the sink area is a great spot for grooming, making faces in the mirror, and reminding oneself of how great one is before returning to reality, refreshed.

Now, for the first time in my life, I feel as though the bathroom experience is in peril. And it’s all because of a smarmy new breed called the mid-level bathroom attendant.

We all expect an upscale restaurant or club to have someone in the restroom with a range of towels, soaps, and lotions to offer in exchange for a small tip. I can accept that.

But lately, in cheaper restaurants, rock clubs, and even dive bars, I’ve had the peaceful experience of using the restroom ruined by some kid with greased hair and a menagerie of cosmetics splayed across the vanity. It’s bad enough that this guy is ruining any shot I have at solitude, but he’s also taking up the entire counter area, making it impossible for me to achieve closure. I feel like I’m in his house. I frantically grab soap before he can offer me his, wash, and race out in disarray. Either that or I’m stuck tipping for something I’m thankfully capable of and willing to do for myself.

The topper came recently at a bar Portland, where I was horrified to find not another man in the bathroom, but a woman attendant.  In the men’s sanctuary. I felt like an orthodox rabbi finding a woman in the men’s prayer section at the Western Wall.

I understand that the economy has encouraged people to be enterprising. But I am more likely to pay someone to leave the restroom while I use it. Take note, entrepreneurs- that’s where real money is. Just stand there with lotions and towels and a sign that says $5 and I wait in the hallway. You’ll make 100k a year, easily.

Until they get wiser, fight back. Next time you’re going to a mid-level establishment with a bathroom attendant, bring a knapsack. Kindly refuse his products, reach into your bag, and pull out your own. When he offers you soap, offer him yours. When he offers lotion, ask if he would like to try a different scent. Does he need a shave? Would he like a mint? Bring things he doesn’t have: A toothbrush. A hair drier. A foot bath. Say “excuse me” as you carefully slide over his many bottles to make way for your own. Take time grooming, humming, relaxing. The bathroom is your place. If he protests, hand him a towel for his tears. It’s time for us to take back our bathrooms, one small spray at a time.

There’s a distinct moment in every tour when you realize you’re out there for real. It usually comes about five or six days in, right when the snacks you packed are suddenly gone and your clean/dirty laundry ratio starts to shift for the first time. It happened for me today when we entered the Northen section of Oregon and I realized that we are, in fact, just over 1000 miles from home, and that we will be living out of the van for another two weeks. You’d think one would get used to this feeling. But it’s always a little shocking, like “really?! I do this?” Having my brother along adds another element of fun, but also another element of responsibility, because even when your younger brother is a self-sufficient grown up, you still think he’s 10 and feel like you need to watch him cross the street.

We have already had a ton of adventures this time around.  The concerts have been going really well- a lot of you have been coming out and the vibes have been incredible. Had a great time hanging with fellow artists Dan Krikorian and Andrew Heringer. I had a harmonica vs saxaphone battle with Andrew’s sax player in Sacramento which was nothing short of epic. We’ve seen a ton of friends, both old and new, worked on a farm, made applesauce, and met a guy in a bar who had literally just walked out of jail. And Daniel and I have been perfecting our british accents.

And I’ve been writing a lot. I’m thinking about what I want the next record to sound like, and getting excited to start that process again.

Tomorrow is the performance at Willamette University, then off to Seattle, before we start to make our way back down toward the bay area. Stay tuned for more adventure stories. For now, a couple of video clips for you:

1. Working on a new song/being ridiculous:

2. After show…daniel auditions for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”

Had a blast in redding last night…They always treat us so well. Got to play to a packed house at Vintage last night and then went to check out a house party for some local culture -

My favorite quote of the night came from a girl at the house party who had been whining about being hungry for about half an hour. We finally walk into a room and she’s got a drink in one hand, devouring a package of graham crackers with the other, all while one of her friends is across the room teaching another how to spank someone properly. The girl looked at me and said: “All I need is graham crackers, spanking, and whatever is this red cup, and my life is complete.” I had to rush out of the room to write it down.

Spent the night at the beatiful BridgeHouse b&b where Janelle took great care of us, even though it was her birthday and she could have been out painting the town.

For you facebookers, here’s a little clip of us fooling around @ the B&B

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=570975633449

Today we drive up into Oregon- Looking forward to seeing you Oregonians soon!

Day 2 of the Warm Storm tour-During our drive up to San Luis Obispo…Daniel and I haven’t known each other that long yet, but I’d say there’s a  good creative chemistry growing there.