It doesn't seem so very long ago that Stereo Kicks were singing their latest single to hordes of screaming girls at BHS in Milton Keynes. In actuality it was a little over 12 months ago now, and what a difference a year makes - the band, and the store, are no more.
But SK member Jake Sims is still live and erm, kicking!
He'll be back in Milton Keynes this Saturday (Oct 22), appearing at Unit 9 in Wolverton where he will top the bill at Elite Talent, an event which mixes live performance with the chance for fans to get up close, meet the artist, get that selfie and snap up some merch.
The big billing also features Milton Keynes singer-songwriter Euan Emerton, with other artists including Benjamin BNG, David Bulley, Jason Allan, Liberty Grant and Sion Jones.
We spoke with Jake to find out about the music that inspires him...
The song that first awakened your musical senses
Awakened my musical senses? I like that.
Ummmm the first song I can actually remember singing was 'You are my Sunshine' with my Gramps when I was about 2 or 3. It's one of my favourite childhood memories so I'd go with that one!
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
Digital to be honest. with Apple Music, YouTube & Spotify & all that it's just the way forward. (Oops and Tidal. Sorry Hov)
It's just so easy & convenient to access & listen to all your music!
The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me'
Without sounding massively cliché; I've genuinely always known music is what I wanted to do. In college I had a brief stint where I solely focused on academic stuff for a while, I took my A Levels and studied Law, Communication & Culture and Maths but dropped out after I got my AS levels and went to music college and I've been winging it ever since!
Your best on stage memory...
Wow. There's definitely a few. Performing with the lads at every single arena around the UK is definitely up there. Singing on stage with Queen is definitely a surreal moment for any musician.. Uhhh there's so many! Every time I go on stage there's a new memory or a new highlight. I love it every time I'm on stage. It's where I'm massively in my element!
And the worst gig you've ever done...
Oooooh so its gossip girl now yeah? Haha.
Worst gig.. Ummmm I used to do pub gigs with my mum. And I went to this one pub and performed a couple of songs - and the owner of the pub was like..
“Excuse me Teresa (my mum), this isn't the type of music that my regulars have come to listen to. Get him off stage.”
And I was a bit disheartened I definitely called her a few names under my breath.. But after all the X Factor stuff happened she tried getting me to come back to her pub and do a set and I turned it down, laughed & just said "Sorry, I don't really think I'm the type of act your regulars would come to listen to."
Is that petty? Who cares??
What made you take up singing?
Well. As mentioned in the above question my mum is a singer! So I've always been around it growing up & that's what I think got me so involved in it as a kid!
Which one song by another artist do you wish you'd have written?
Tough question. So many bangers. Ummmm. Probably 'Happy Birthday' imagine the royalties. Haha.
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
My own song? Long Time Coming is definitely the most personal for me. It's very honest & it includes a lot of stuff that's happened in my life that listeners wouldn't necessarily know. It's a positive song though, if you haven't heard it go check it out!
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Bieber. Every time. I'd log into my Natwest, gaze & chuckle. Drive my Lambo to Nandos & buy the store. Log into my Insta, find a model girlfriend- log out. Go to Bora Bora and drive some jet skis and then go smash a show at a sold out stadium. When you can be Biebs. Always be Biebs.
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to
I've always been massively influenced by Eminem, he was always my favourite artist growing up & I admire his storytelling, his lyricism and his overal intelligence. I love hip hop/rap music so that's my main influence in songs.
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
Yeah, like fully heavy metal screamo. I hate that. It's just too much for me personally. I can't understand what they're saying & it just sounds like noise. I appreciate some of it, I like the impact of it when Twenty One Pilots introduce it into a couple of their shows. But it's quite subtle. & i also like the actual instruments - I love electric guitar & all live sounds but yeah continued mental screaming through a whole song.. not for me.
Finally, plug your show at Unit 9. What can we expect?
Come see for yourself! It's gonna be a mad show. Really looking forward to it!
To book tickets for It's Party Time visit www.elitetalentuk.co.uk
