Jacob Davich’s self-titled debut EP has been a long time coming. The 25-year-old began his career as an actor at the age of 12, going on to star in the likes of The Aviator (2004), Mr Woodcock (2007), and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (2005). His father, Martin Davich, is a composer that has worked on such shows as Beverly Hills 90210, ER, Days of Our Lives, and Third Watch, so from birth Jacob had exposure to both the worlds of acting and music. Yet despite his father’s role in music, Jacob’s exploration of the form was largely down to his own passion and intrigue, teaching himself piano, guitar and vocals in addition to songwriting. And instead of the pop punk that friends his own age were listening to as teens, Jacob looked further back for inspiration, finding solace in music of the 1960s and 1970s. Albums from James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, John Denver and Pure Prairie League became his companions and his most influential sources, helping him to evolve a throwback sound that weaves between soft rock, folk and country.
In true 70s folk revival songwriting fashion, the songs on Jacob’s new EP are remarkably simple in their messages but still highly effective. On the anthemic opener ‘Don’t Run Don’t Hide’, for example, he urges himself and others to go after their dreams and not let anything deter them, while on follow-up ‘Call My Name’ he tells a loved one that they can reach out to him if they’re struggling, and he won’t judge or ask questions, he’ll just be there. There’s a positivity that shines through this record, and that can be found on the sweet little ditty (and lead single) ‘Hold On’, which finds Jacob encouraging explaining that he perseveres through everything no matter what. It’s one of the more musically interesting tracks on the record, featuring some lovely intricate guitar work, gentle female harmonies and a sense of rising above the heartbreak.
Jacob also has a more direct message to send. The soulful ‘How You Gonna Tell Me’ is a song he wrote about a girlfriend in college for whom he cared deeply, but could not find the words to express his feelings. The track turns it around on her, reminding her how he shows her his love through his actions, and that she couldn’t use his lack of verbal communication on the subject as a reason to leave him because he’s still being a good boyfriend.
The EP comes to a close on the Bob Dylan cover ‘I Shall Be Released’. It’s a spirited, gospel-infused rendition, aided in part due to Jacob’s special connection with the song. “When I think about that song, it conjures up so much within me. I think of Nelson Mandela and the metaphor of being unjustly imprisoned. In some way, we all do that to ourselves, but we all hold the keys to our handcuffs. We can release ourselves,” he says. There’s something to be said for this attitude. Jacob gave up acting to pursue his music career, and the notion of authenticity and being true to yourself is an underlying thread that runs throughout this EP. Ultimately, he feels most at home playing music, and that’s evident in the peace and sheer talent present on the record.
With some lovely classic melodies, a solid vocal delivery and a sparkling retro production aided by father Martin Davich (who acted as producer on this project), as well as the presence inside Oceanway Studios (James Taylor, Frank Sinatra and more), Jacob is onto a winner with this EP, and I’m sure it’s the first of many records for him.
Originally posted here.
