Inspired #465 - Jake Whiskin
Fresh from a sold-out UK and European tour supporting Barns Courtney, Leeds singer-songwriter Jake Whiskin is ready for his next adventure with his latest single 'Sabbath Deep Cuts'.
n family and health. Recorded in Los Angeles with James Flannigan (Matt Maeson, Weezer, MARINA), Sabbath Deep Cuts is a reflective return that explores loss, vulnerability and self-acceptance, while marking a renewed confidence in Jake's songwriting.
Posing as the first release since his 2023 debut album, “Sabbath Deep Cuts” is a somber, melancholic single that invites listeners into “a late-night reflection of dissipation, heartache and pining for something lost.” Recorded in Los Angeles by James Flannigan (Matt Maeson, Weezer, MARINA) Jake Whiskin continues to boast his ability to create safe and meaningful spaces for all listeners to embrace their vulnerability.
Speaking on the release Jake explained, “This is the first music I’ve released in years after taking some time off to focus on family and health. The first record was made around the corner from my house in Leeds not long after covid; so there’s this tentative feeling that I hear in it because the world, and myself at the time, felt so fragile…”
He took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind his music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
Tom Petty is probably my biggest inspiration musically. His songs are so simple and yet so timeless. He has these great pop songs that have so much depth that make you want to go back often. His music also soundtracked so many moments of my life, both good and bad, so there’s a catharsis in listening to his music for me.
Nirvana were the first band I ever heard where I realised that music was more than just noise. I was just a kid and remember hearing Come as You Are and having all these feelings that were both exciting and sad at the same time, almost immediately I fell in love with music at that point.
I guess I’d say Bob Dylan. For one person to write that many incredible songs is pretty insane. Also so many of his songs are so simple in form, but his lyrics have such an emotional weight that they transcend it. Everytime I listen to Mr Tambourine, that 4th verse … ’take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind’ just hits me so hard.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
I saw the movie About Time pretty recently and I found it really moving. I guess it’s about being present and appreciating what you have but it explores that through the medium of someone reliving moments and tampering with time travel. I also like open road exploration movies like Into the Wild where there's this 'anything is possible ' feeling. I guess that’s the juxtaposition of appreciating what you have vs escapism.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
I always had a love for New York City as a kid from watching movies and then becoming obsessed with The Velvets and Lou Reed, so there was all that lore around New York, The Factory that I found interesting. That said, I made this new music out in LA and there’s so much musical history there too. We were kind of in Petty territory where we recorded which was a thrill for me. Also driving through Laurel Canyon knowing the musical history of that area was really special. I don't have much memory of the sessions as we were just so locked in, but I remember the drives back to the hotel in the night watching the city blur by which still sticks with me now. So today I would say LA.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I guess someone who endures the hardships that life throws at them and keeps moving forwards truly inspires me. I’ve been reading Nick Cave’s book Faith, Hope & Carnage recently and his ability to be so philosophical about his grief is really powerful.
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
I think all of your musical inspirations inspire what you do unconsciously and make up who you are as an artist. So there’s Petty and Neil Young in there for sure, I obviously mention Sabbath but that’s more pulling from my memories and nostalgia, which plays a huge part in the song. Pining for another moment in time when things were more simple and you were just listening to old records and getting stoned. I guess I could do that tonight but it wouldn’t feel the same as the things I’m reaching for, some rose tinted idea of a time that probably wasn’t even real.
How would you like to inspire people?
Sometimes I can hardly inspire myself to get out of bed, so I’m not sure how capable I am of that! But hopefully I can make people around me feel good and valued. Inspired to have a good day or something, sorry if that’s a terrible answer but it's the best one I have right now. I think if I said something like 'I'd like my music to inspire world peace' or something that would be a bit much so I'm leaning into my British self-deprecating humour here.
