Clinton Jake

Clinton Jake likes to think he's the most honest guy on the planet. "I used to think of lyrics and discard them because I felt like they revealed too much. Now I know there's no such thing." And when it comes to melodies, he's all about the hooks, crediting his structure to artists like the Beach Boys and Nirvana ("Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana, that is", clarifies Clinton). Also a budding DJ, Clinton understands the way harmonies work, and the power of music to drive energy. It clearly reflects in his pop music work. "It's a shame that a lot of people associate the word 'pop' with overproduced garbage with vague, impersonal lyrics. I see no reason that a song can't be catchy, and tell a real story at the same time." And that's where Clinton comes in.

However, he's not just another guy with a guitar. Aside from his work on the microphone and turntables, Clinton also plays bass guitar, drums, and keyboard. In fact, he played every instrument and sang every vocal track on his 2010 demo. "I'd love to have a band, but I simply couldn't afford to get people to play my stuff, so I learned to play it on my own."

As a student at the University of Southern California, Clinton also has a bit to balance. "Alright, I admit it- I skipped class to write a song once. Okay, twice." Still, he maintains above a 3.0 GPA and is a member of the honors program at the university. "Actually, it was three times." It's clear where his true passion lies.

Growing up in Salisbury, MD as the son of a school administrator and a secretary, Clinton didn't have much of an outlet for his musical prowess. "I fronted a band through years of high school, but I was the only driven one in the group; I think I made them all quit. They just wanted to mess around, but I wanted to make a solid album, not just play covers. Looking back, I guess it would be kind of weird to be a sophomore in high school avidly pursuing a record deal. But that was me. I just wanted to be heard."

And he still does.