LRM Interview – Jacob Stiefel: “All real artists will continue to grow.”

10 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on LRM Interview – Jacob Stiefel: “All real artists will continue to grow.”
jacob stiefel interview
Photo: Annie Firmin

“I write songs when I feel moved to write. It’s hard for me to write about something I haven’t lived through and felt – something that is the truth. That’s what the band name is about.”

He’s Jacob Stiefel and he’s referring to the three guys sharing the stage with him. Together, they’re Jacob Stiefel and the Truth.

Jacob was singing and strumming on his mother’s old guitar before the tender age of ten. Some five years later, he was traveling and performing with a local gospel band. It was during that time that he caught the music fever.

Playing at frat parties and college bars, he continued to nourish his musical appetite while pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama. Education was important, but it was a backup plan. It always came second to his first love – music.

Jacob was vehement about his need to pursue that love. So he picked up his things and made the trek from Alabama to Tennessee. He now calls Nashville home and, with fervor in his fingertips and determination in his voice, he’s cultivating his musical career one day at a time.

“When people ask me what kind of music I play, my normal response is, ‘Good music.'”

All jokes aside, Jacob’s style is a melting pot of sorts. Country, southern rock, blues and gospel influence his sound. With family ties to both Alabama and Texas, he prides himself on being exposed to the best, musically speaking, of both worlds.

Aside from talent, what makes Jacob shine is his endless positivity, his relentless worth ethic and his kindhearted demeanor. When it comes to his music, he’s in the business of continually improving, constantly working and always growing.

“I now know who I am and what Jacob Stiefel music sounds like. It’s been an evolution process. It’s been a growth thing. All real artists will continue to grow.”

He attributes a small part of his outlook to a former football coach who used to always say, “You either get better or you get worse. You never stay the same.”

Jacob chooses to get better. Last year he released his first, self-titled album. On Oct. 10, he released a six song EP. Although both compilations are teeming with originality, it’s evident that Jacob’s maturity level as both a writer and a musician has risen.

Recently, Jacob Stiefel and the Truth played dates with Blackberry Smoke. The band is continuing their own tour through December with shows in Alabama, Texas, Indiana and Kentucky.

“People think being on the road is all partying, chicks and hotel rooms,” Jacob laughs before divulging a few details about chaotic weeks spent touring the country in the band van.

Listening to ‘Dues-Payin Blues,’ I recognize that familiar subject matter. Acoustic guitars peacefully accompany Jacob as he croons the autobiographical story of a musician living a life on the road.

“People say I’m living the dream, but I ain’t sure what that means. The highs and lows and the in-betweens, they sometimes get the best of me.”

Have you ever listened to a song where every word, every melody echoed the innermost parts of your soul? It may sound melodramatic, but that’s how I felt when I heard ‘All In.’

“A little bit of faith goes a long way to move mountains that you can’t see. I’m not the kind to sit and watch the world pass by ’cause if you waste your time it’s gone in the blink of an eye.”

The lyrics are universal. They could be referring to a relationship, a career or simply to an attitude toward life. In this case, Jacob admits they could very well be referring to his own career. He assuredly is not waiting for the world to pass him by. No, he’s moving forward with a wide open heart.

To listen to ‘Dues-Payin Blues’ and ‘All In,’ download Jacob’s six song EP.

To find a Jacob Stiefel and the Truth show happening near you, check their upcoming tour dates

To keep up with Jacob, connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter