jake lemond

BY HAILEY HALE

During this age of Covid-19 where live music is not an option, newer artists are getting their time to shine as all music lovers search for their newest quarantine obsession. One of those artists happens to be up and coming singer songwriter Jake LeMond. Hailing from Michigan, LeMond has had a lot of experience performing with bands from the area and is now taking an exciting turn into the realm of solo music. With lyrics that seem so eortless yet so personal and rich vocals that easily soothe any listener’s mind, it’s easy to see why he is gaining such traction. Between the craziness of quarantine and releasing new music with another project, I got to chat with LeMond about all things solo music, touring, and much more.

You recently put out a stunning music video for your newest single “Illusion”. What was the process of recording like? Can you give us any exclusive behind the scenes moments?

LeMond: Thank you! That was my first time ever making any kind of music video so I was very weary about even doing one in the first place. It was shot with Matthew Pemental, Ariona Kalaj, Cameron Morin and Dylan Grantham, and I basically met Mathew and Cameron that same day. Mathew pitched me the idea while I was on tour and then we sent each other some ideas back and forth for a month or two. The whole thing ended up being shot morning to night in Ypsilanti, Michigan with the exclusion of the supermarket scenes which were done in Ann Arbor. It was shot with basically no budget so we had to ask all of these places if we could just go in and film for free and they ended up giving us as much time as we needed for the most part. We all had a great time and I think that really shows in the video. The only other exclusive behind the scene moments I can think of would be me getting a parking ticket that day, and leaving a pair of pants and a t-shirt backstage when we filmed the talk show segments. I sadly still think about those clothes.

I know that you’re currently in a few bands aside from this solo project so, what does it mean to you to have music released under your own name as opposed to releasing music with others? How does the process dier?

LeMond: I’ve spent the last two years on and o the road with Michigander and Hala, while I love touring with my friends, it feels great to finally be putting out music under my own name. With both bands we’re just friends traveling the country together playing music, sharing beds, driving all day and doing whatever we can to keep ourselves busy in a van. When it comes to my own music though I’m not on anyone’s watch but my own, which can be a good and bad thing. I tend to question and over analyze everything when it comes to my own music so that sometimes means it takes awhile for something to actually make its way out into the world. A couple things have been pushed back as far as recording goes because of the lockdown but I’m getting a plan together for more releases this year.

You opened for Mt. Joy in February at their Michigan show, which is huge, how were you feeling in that moment? How did that come about?

LeMond: Yeah, that was a great show. We got to play at Dimnent Chapel which was built in 1929, it was pretty breathtaking in there and it’s probably the best I’ve ever heard myself onstage. Michigander had the chance to open for Mt. Joy quite a bit so that’s kind of how the connection was originally made. I also released my single Illusion a week or two prior to getting the show which received some traction on Spotify and was added to a couple big playlists which I think also helped. The very next day I ended up getting to see them open for The Lumineers in Detroit which was pretty surreal seeing a band I just opened for now playing an arena. Everyone in Mt. Joy and their crew is great though, and I’d love to do more with them in the future.

Since you haven’t done a full tour as Jake Lemond, can you pitch to the readers what a tour of yours would look like?

LeMond: I’ve really thought about this question a lot while on the road with other people. Touring can mean so many things these days, it can be weekend runs, a month, a few months, sometimes even longer. Who knows what touring will even be like after all this or when it will all pick back up again. I don’t quite have the platform that the bands I play with have, so a Jake LeMond tour would probably start o as short runs in places like Detroit, Chicago, New York and Columbus then build from there. I was talking to a few friends in those cities about playing this year but that’s currently on the backburner at the moment. If your readers were to see me live though they can expect to see me on stage with a bunch of close talented friends having a good time and hopefully putting on a memorable show.

Listening to your music I’ve noticed that your lyrics are very personal, how does it feel to put yourself out there like that? Was there ever a moment of fear before a release and if so how did you overcome it?

LeMond: Writing music is really the most natural thing for me to do, so it feels great to write a song and even better when I know it’s finished. A lot of my lyrics tend to be very personal, but I write what’s on my mind at the

“Writing is a way for me to get things out and let things go while not overthinking the process.”

time without worrying too much about what people will think. If I did worry I would probably drive myself crazy. Writing is a way for me to get things out and let things go while not overthinking the process.

If you could describe your music to new listeners in 3 words what would they be?

LeMond: I’m honestly not very good at doing these sorts of things. Whenever I show my dad a new demo he always says it’s “alright” so I guess that would be one. But on a serious note, I don’t really know. You mentioned that my music is “personal” so I would say that would be another one. I’ll let the readers come up with a third.

I know you were supposed to play SXSW this year, and it’s a total bummer that that couldn’t happen! But, if you could perform at any festival anywhere in the world, which would it be and why?

LeMond: Yeah, I was really bummed about that. We were going to be playing a lot of other festivals this summer that were on my bucket list too, so I’m really hoping we’ll get to do those next summer. But if I had to pick one it would probably be Glastonbury. When I was younger (and even now) that’s always been one of the festivals I would watch some of my favorite bands play. The crowds always seem like they’re really present which is somewhat rare these days, and I’d like to think it would live up to my expectations.

Lastly, is there any new music or projects that we should be keeping an eye out for? If so can I get a hint as to when it will be released?

LeMond: Yes! There will definitely be more music from me. During lockdown I’ve been able to finally write and demo more which has been great. I plan on releasing another single or two and that should work its way into an EP, that’s the plan at least. I’ve also been working on music with my girlfriend as Hickey Eyes and we’ll put out a single in June. I’ve even gotten to write on some stu for other people that should be coming out this year, so I’m looking forward to that too.

With the promise of new music and shows that will be unforgettable on the horizon, it’s safe to say that Jake LeMond is definitely an artist that you should keep a close eye on. Make sure to check out his newest single “Illusion” available to buy or on any streaming service now, as it truly is our newest obsession. 53