For Pi Jacobs, one of the best things about Americana music is its inclusivity, and the LA songstress recently partook at Nashville’s AMERICANAFEST, performing her showcase at The Vinyl Lounge on September 19th. Regarding the nature and spirit of Americana music, she states, “It makes room for everything.”
Born in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, Jacobs grew up amidst a shifting backdrop of hippie communes. With a Filipino father, a white mother, and African-American relatives, Jacobs’ diverse cultural upbringing has largely contributed to her appreciation for the melting pot Americana genre.
Now a seasoned singer-songwriter and multi-talented instrumentalist, Jacobs likes to focus on creating a groove. Her latest release, an 11-track album titled Soldier On debuted this past April via Blackbird Record Label. For this project, the goal was pared-down instrumentation, a luscious blend that melds well with her largely introspective writing. Essential to production was two-time Grammy nominee Eric Corne. Full of tunes that are close to her heart, her album is still riding that initial high.
Not to be confused with a contrite breakup track, the album’s opening song, “Hallelujah,” packs an unexpected yet soulful punch after its delicate acoustic intro; this number instead showcases an introvert experiencing a golden (as introverts will understand) moment of alone time.
Originally released as a video single this past winter, “Coyote” tells the story of a man hunting a woman like a predator hunts its prey. In the video, Jacobs plays both roles, donning a rabbit mask and hiding from the version of herself wearing a fox mask while she sings about being caught in a cruel game of “cat and mouse.” Both the visuals and infectious rootsy groove conjures a Wild West backdrop.
The closing track, “I Don’t Feel Lonely,” holds a special message for Jacobs’ fellow musicians. As any artist knows, life on the road can get pretty tough, often full of long nights and mental challenges. Like the lyrics of this number, Jacobs tries to remind herself how good it feels to actually play music. “I think of music as a magic trick, because it takes you to a different place, it cheers you up, and it makes you feel not so lonely,” she says.
Since her 2001 debut, Irrational, Jacobs has experimented with genre, mixing sounds and building up from her California roots. The last two decades have left much room for stylistic changes, culminating in her latest project – one that celebrates the music that first inspired her journey. Each song from Soldier On delivers a groove-ridden blend of rhythms that’ll sweep listeners into her enchanting musical world.
