BABYJAKE IS A “BEAUTIFUL BLUE COLLAR BOY”
Photo by Anne Tenkhoff
BabyJake is a genre-bending force of creativity, constantly experimenting with his sound, surprising audiences with every new project. He has landed in a new and balanced phase of his musical journey with the release of his album Beautiful Blue Collar Boy. Being a Fort Myers native myself, I can proudly say that I have had the honor of being a big fan of BabyJake for a while now. I had the privilege to interview him, where he reflected on the state of his evolution, authenticity, and some of the challenges he’s overcome along the way.
BabyJake's early work leaned more towards pop. With later releases like Aren't We Ever Gonna Be More Than Friends, he delved deeper into his creative well, pulling from '70s rock and expanding his musical palette. "To be honest, I think I'm now closer to Don't Give Me Problems, Give Me Wine than I was in the last two albums," BabyJake explained. "I swung super far to the left when I started with Cigarettes on Patios, then went far to the right with Aren't We Ever Gonna Be More Than Friends. Now, I'm kind of skewed back to the middle. I'm making the best music I want, not thinking about genre or what it will sound like."
For BabyJake, the inspiration behind Beautiful Blue Collar Boy is rooted in authenticity. The title of the album mirrors his perception of himself and dedication to work. "I started to realize I'm just this average f****** blue-collar guy that happens to have a voice and make music," he shared. "The way I approach music is very nine-to-five because I am very structured. If I wasn't doing music, I'd probably be selling shrimp with my dad or doing construction.”
This blue-collar mindset extends beyond the music itself. BabyJake has taken a hands-on approach with everything from production to the album's artwork and merchandise. "I care about every dollar spent, every detail of the branding, the album cover, the merch, the vinyl," he said. "I want everything to feel as honest as possible."
With this pivotal shift toward transparency and authenticity, BabyJake is harping on building a solid, genuine fan base. "I am focusing on how I can prioritize my fan base as an artist," he explains. “I feel like it's better to have 1,500 solid fans that love you than a hundred thousand people who just know your song.” This belief drives his efforts to connect more deeply with his audience through initiatives like collecting fan emails for personal engagement.
Like many artists, BabyJake has faced challenges in his career, but he's learned to get out of his own way. "I think my biggest obstacle has been myself," he admitted. "I wasn't always good at taking constructive criticism, but now I listen more." This growth in mindset has allowed him to approach his career with greater openness and maturity. One piece of advice that has stuck with him came from Linda Perry, the Hall of Fame songwriter and lead singer of 4 Non Blondes. Though he didn't fully embrace it then, BabyJake now recognizes the wisdom in her words: "She told me not to chase hits. Just make great music, and the rest will come."
Photo by Joel Lo
As BabyJake continues his headlining tour, he's excited to connect with fans in new cities and old favorites. He was particularly excited for shows in New York, where the energy and creative scene inspire him, and Boise, a city that has surprisingly become one of his strongest markets. Even though he is on the road, he is already thinking about what's next, including a deluxe version of Beautiful Blue Collar Boy with three to four additional songs that fans can look forward to soon.