Jakob – The Kings Arms

The role of the artist is a question posed by artist and audience alike, in an attempt to seek the purpose behind creativity and its cultural celebration. Ambiguous in nature, it can be difficult to underpin the exact purpose of the artist in an oversaturated market of “art” for entertainment value- a shallow reading of such profound forms of human expression. Jakob’s powerful performance on Saturday night at the Kings’ Arms, however, confirmed for me the most significant role of any artist- to incite feeling. It is only when this is achieved that art may transcend genre to exist autonomously, where comparison becomes redundant, leaving little room for petty judgment.

I first encountered Jakob a week ago while attending the Taite Music Awards, where they (most deservedly) won. Without sampling their music, I took a leap of faith and bought their album the next day unsure of what to expect. Their lack of vocals caught me off guard, and the melancholic guitar paired with a strong tribal-like drum rhythm confronted me with honest and raw musicianship. I felt exposed but unequivocally drawn in. First impressions drew comparisons with film soundtracks from Hans Zimmer, with epic notes building up and suddenly pulling back, gifting the listener a kind of beautiful insecurity, constantly wondering where the music will be taken but ever willing to be part of the journey.

Listening to music with such cacophonous intensity in an intimate venue such as the Kings’ Arms proved an otherworldly experience. Heavy, pounding base caused the music to move through us as we stood shoulder to shoulder, most with eyes shut, overwhelmed by the sensory assault. It was an intoxicating mix of volume, lighting and pure creative energy pulsating from the stage. It is not the kind of music that can easily be intellectualized or evaluated. For a moment it becomes part of you, as though each phrase speaks to a kind of collective human experience. Drawn out chords lend melancholy tones, acknowledging a pain and longing to which an entire audience can relate. Musical movements flow seamlessly from head-banging, drum-driven intensity to sudden retreats into calm, harmonic melody; leaving no room for an audience to settle in cushy comfort zones, and reducing a rowdy crowd to contemplative silence.

The extraordinary musical skill of Jakob, was underlined by their lack of ego, as instruments were allowed space to express and harmonize without being obscured by “performance”. In fact, their presence on stage reminded me of the powerful but subtle artwork used as their album cover. While understated with that typical Kiwi humility, their musicality and obvious passion seeped into every corner of each song; played with such integrity that words were unneeded, and vocals would have reduced the universal reach of the music. The beautifully orchestrated harmonies, given momentum by a supremely talented drummer created a transcendent musical experience I will remember for a long time.

My experience with Jakob, helped me understand that the nature of true art is humble; that the purpose of the artist is not to entertain in any mainstream sense of the word, but to challenge an audience to feel, to allow feeling to exist without judgment.

I profoundly thank Jakob for their courageous honesty and musical integrity- they are extraordinary musicians, deserving of every success I am sure will come in their future.

– Margie Cooney

Jakob set list:

1. Pneumonic
2. Blind Them
3. Magna Carta
4. Harmonia
5. Jimmy Hoffa
6. Malachite
7. Lonesome
8. Oran Mor
9. Ageena
10. Resolve
11. The Collar Sets Well

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