mtvU's Best Music on Campus - Jakob Freely & the Mixtape Bandits

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Bio

After spending the better part of three years touring the Midwest and releasing albums as an acoustic trio, Jakob Freely felt the time was right to fill out their sound. Taking some time off the road, the boys added backing band The Mixtape Bandits, wrote and rehearsed new material, and in late September, ducked back into 3 Elliott Studio in Athens, OH to record their third studio release Look Both Ways.

With producer/engineer Josh Antonuccio at the helm (Bradley Hathaway, Southeast Engine), the boys kept their original focus on melody with a new goal to produce full, engaging songs. "This was the first time we had the money to do exactly what we wanted in the studio without watching the clock..." says Dave "so we took our time for once."

A 12 song LP, Look Both Ways has 8 brand new songs, alongside 4 previously released and reworked tunes. "There were a few songs we didn't feel were completed or represented correctly, so we really thought it was best to re-work them." Bobby says. Sitting amongst the 4 previously released tunes is crowd favorite sing-a-long Dogfarm which was previously released as an acoustic version on the Elliot EP (Dogfarm Records). "Dogfarm is definitely a rock song now..." Dave laughs.

The record also has a few cameos, most notable of which is Fuzzy Sammuels who has shared the stage and been employed by the likes of CSNY, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton to name a few. "He was actually the bass player for CSNY's song Ohio..." Dave states. "Pretty surreal...it was nice to have his input."

Thus far the biggest highlight of the new material seems to be the stompy alt/country feel of Underground, written after the boys split with their former management. "We love those guys to death and they're still dear friends, but this song is really the anti-thesis of everything they wanted us to be, " Bobby says

Upon receiving the tracks from Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering (Wilco, Soul Asylum) Freely will be releasing the album initially on their own label Dogfarm Records. Plans are also in place to hunt for additional label support and to hit the road heavy again in the Summer on a 25 city tour to promote the release. Stops include several Ohio cities alongside Minneapolis, Chicago, Nashville, Knoxville, and Asheville, N.C. to name a few. "We'll be sleeping in the van a lot, or our cars if we can't find a van...." Dave adds.

For more information or to preview songs from the album, visit JakobFreely.com.

Discography

2006 - Self titled LP "Jakob Freely"
2007 - "The Elliot EP"
2008 - "Look Both Ways" LP

Influences

Good things, bad things, weird things, Dave's relationship with his wife (75% of the songs are about her), dogs, religion (or lack thereof), our families, and magic (defined differently per band member)

Musical Influences: Too Many To List

Sounds Like

Ben Harper, Guster, Bradley Nowell

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Jakob Freely & the Mixtape Bandits

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Jakob Freely & the Mixtape Bandits

About the Artist

Members

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Bio

Discography

Influences

Sounds Like

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Discover More Artists

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