The Grand Rapids, Michigan country band’s new song “Some Days” gets to the point: “It’s about hard work,” writes Big Jake Bootstrap. The song’s got a wonderful sense of grit while retaining the gentleness of bands like Glossary. Jake’s got a way with words, so before we get to his interview questions, I’ll post his bio in his own words:
Jake Bootstrap, sometimes known as Big Jake on account of being something of an imposing type figure, is both the seed and the flower of the whole operation. He was from a God fearing family in the middle of nowhere middle Michigan, a mile from a big river of his own. Summer days fishing on the pond and summer nights in the Revival tent both taught him the ways of traditional country music each in their own way.
A young man wanders, so he took his sweet time away from his ancestral music, first in a straight up rock outfit called Loose County Road Commission and later on performing under his own name, Jake Stilson (sometimes backing band The MiMiMi’s) but like any prodigal son he returned to his roots and country music was there waiting for him with open arms.
He found himself an axeman, Nicky, who can tear it up, light it on fire, and then blow it all up in your face all with a second (third?) hand Schecter guitar he found in a town you can’t even find on some maps. Later came Jeff on what you can barely call a drumkit who stays solid as a rock and is known to pick a banjo while he kicks every now and again. Newest is Jonny, who stays in the pocket and is a hell of a nice guy to boot.
All in between then and now we’ve been rambling the country. We’ve got to share the stage with some fine folks like Shooter Jennings, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, The War & Treaty, Lost Dog Street Band, Cracker, and Norah Jane Struthers. You say that, drop the names to sound important, but really we’ve been in every little, ol’ dive bar in the great state and quite a few away from home and we gotta admit we like it there sometimes. It’s where all the good songs come from.
COVID had us all putting new notches in our belts, but hopefully the lean times are starting to come to an end and we have a brand new album in the works. It seems the creativity bug bit Big Jake whilst in quarantine and we’re working out a full set of new tunes for you, starting with our upcoming single ‘Some Days’. It’s our best work to date and we can’t wait to share it with y’all.
Tell us about the first song you wrote.
It was called “Booger” and it was a real think piece about teenage rebellion. J/K. It was meant to be a heavy metal joke.
Who would you love to collaborate with? Why?
Margo Price. We met her a few years back and she gets it in a way a lot of other entertainers just plain don’t.
Do you have any go-to albums to listen to in the van?
“Lost Dog Street Band – Rage & Tragedy”
What is your vision for a more just music industry?
More representation. There should be room at the table for everyone to tell their version of the story.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
A fan once gave me a Chet Atkins practice amp from the home of his mistress.
Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
Jamie Wyatt – Neon Cross
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