Brian Jacobs '02 understands what exposure means to an independent musician. Having just been nominated as Best New Artist of the Year by Jam Music Magazine, New Hampshire's premier music monthly, Jacobs has received an extra push forward in the music business.
" I was really surprised and just really excited about the nomination," Jacobs said. He was notified last month by Jam via email of his nomination.
The Fifth Annual Readers Pix Awards at Jam represent the best of the New Hampshire music scene. Readers vote either online at www.JamMusicMagazine.com or through a ballot available in the magazine.
The attention that Jacobs has garnered since his nomination has been quite astounding.
"It's really been incredible," Jacobs said. "The amount of people who have been voting for me so far, there's been an overwhelming response."
The 20 year-old Bridgewater, New Jersey native released his first CD, "Untie Me" in the 1999 fall to great critical success. Reviewers have said that he is "passionate," "open," and that "Jacobs leaves you breathless."
Jacobs describes his own style as a cross between Ben Folds and Tori Amos, although "it's definitely a conglomeration of all my musical influences."
He is currently working on his second CD through Dartmouth's Music Department. Unlike the first recording, which consisted mostly of Jacobs on piano and vocals, the second release will feature a full band.
"I'm going to try some new things, something different on this album," Jacobs explained, "the way I feel about my music is that there's always further to go." His second release will form the bulk of his senior thesis.
Jacobs started playing piano as well as singing in the elementary school choir when he was ten years old.
Music has always come easily to Jacobs and he said that "my parents never pushed me."
As far as writing music is concerned, Jacobs began composing in his freshman year of high school. Most of the songs on "Untie Me" were written in the two years before he came to Dartmouth.
Jacobs admitted that there were times when he has doubted himself as a musician.
"But I think that as a musician you just have to have this drive that keeps pushing you no matter what," he explained.
Much has changed for Jacobs since high school though.
"I think music then seemed more a dream than reality," Jacobs said, "and while it is still my dream, I think that it is starting to feel more attainable."
His own career is not the only activity that keeps Jacobs busy around the clock. He is a double major in both French and Music and was one of the founders of the Gay Straight Alliance at Dartmouth. He has been involved with it since his freshman year.
Jacobs is also very involved with classical music at Dartmouth. He sings with the Chamber Singers and the Dodecaphonics, takes voice lessons and is currently working on a short comic opera, G.B. Pergolesi's "La Serva Padrona."
Jacobs tries to perform at the Big Green Bean at least once a term and had a larger concert at Collis Common Ground in Oct. 1999.
"I have no free time," said Jacobs. But even with so many commitments, Jacobs admitted that "every once in a while I'll try to sneak into the practice rooms and write some music."
As for life after college, Jacobs' plans involve pursuing his music. "It'll be a lot easier to start touring, writing more music," Jacobs said.
"All of my music is my passion," Jacobs said. He knows that he will always pursue music because " I could never work that life. That nine-to-five life where you work and come home."
Jacobs designed and maintains his own personal website, www.brianjacobs.com, which provides a brief biography, downloadable music and ordering information for his CD.
All votes for Jam Music Magazine's Best New Artist of the Year must be submitted by Thursday, Apr. 5. The results will be featured in the Apr. 15 issue.
