Jake Aldridge – Down

By starrymag | November 19, 2021

By: Ellie Yates

 

 

Q) Congrats on your new single “Down!” Please tell us a little about the meaning behind the song.

 

A) The new single is a tribute to, and a celebration of “the underdogs.” The pandemic has no doubt made life harder for a lot of people and I really just wanted to pay homage to those who find themselves in a situation where the odds are against them. I hope the video also helps to inspire people to never give up.

 

Q) What do you hope fans take away from the song?

 

A) The new song was very much written for the underdogs! I think nearly all of us have at one point been, or are still in, a situation where the odds are stacked against us. I hope the new song shows those facing adversities that they are not alone. I want it to inspire others into believing in themselves and to never giving up hope.

 

Q) I’ve seen the video and it’s beautifully shot! How does the video play into the lyrics of the song?

 

A) Well, the video gives an example of someone who could be referred to as an underdog. We have an old homeless man who has a passion for music. After overcoming his fear of busking, his music leads him into a new social circle as he strives to get himself off the streets. I felt a homeless person would be a good fit for the lyrics because sadly, they are people who are often “Overlooked,” “Scrutinized” and “Undermined.”

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music and videos?

 

A) I’m very much an idea guy. In nearly all of my videos I am coming up with concepts for the stories which the production company can build and expand from. Musically, I always give the producer reference tracks for the kind of vision that I have for my song and from there, it’s very much in their hands.

 

Q) Where do you generally find your inspiration for songwriting from?

A) Well, my father passed away when I was eleven years old. The years after his death I was crying out for ways to express my sadness and frustration. I found songwriting was very therapeutic for me. As my life has progressed and gone in so many different directions, thankfully, I have never been short of things to write about!

 

Q) How have you found releasing music during the pandemic? 

A) It’s been ok. What was strange was releasing a song (“Partners in Crime”) which strongly references Corona Beer…. It was written way before the virus and left me wishing I’d chosen another beer to have mentioned!

Q) Do you have any plans to release an album in the near future?

 

A) At the moment, I am just focusing on singles. It’s always been my preferred way of doing it….

Q) Now that things are easing off a bit in the UK, will you be taking your music on the road? 

 

A) I hope so! I still feel quite delicate since my transition from rap music and am still very much working on the singing side of it all. I am really enjoying it though and hope that I get better and better in time.

 

Q) Which venue would you most like to perform live in?

 

A) Latitude Festival takes place right where I grew up and so many local people go to it every year. It would be pretty cool to perform there!

 

Q) Which artists are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I love Kane Brown & Dan+Shay. I love the way they blend the Pop-Country sound. I have completely fallen in love with the genre!

Q) What advice would you give to aspiring artists? 

 

A) To try and be thick skinned, to embrace their individualities and to never try and be too much like anyone else.

 

Q) You’re currently running monthly giveaways for your merch, which fans can enter. How important is it to you to have this kind of interaction with your fans?

 

A) I love it! It’s just really nice to give something back to them! Some of my supporters have been following me since the days of Myspace, so it’s amazing to still be in touch with them and to see them entering the draw each month! I wish every last one of them could win!

 

Q) What would you like to say to those that have supported you on your journey so far? 

 

A) That I appreciate it more than they will ever know! When I first started making music, I couldn’t even nod my head in time with a drum beat. I released music, which was nowhere near up to scratch and switched from Rap to Country music and yet they have still stuck by me! It’s the most incredible feeling. Without them, I would have given it all up long ago!