About
Tucked away in a wooded valley, Jake’s studio is positioned on a tree-lined property 15 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He built this home studio in an effort to keep his monthly overhead low, investing instead in high-end microphones and state-of-the-art analog gear. As a result, his rates remain considerably low, and his time spent being creative very high.
As a musician and artist himself, Jake’s goal has always been to cultivate an inspired space to create in. “I’ve surrounded myself with tools that motivate me to create, as well as energize the artists I work with.” He prides himself on being in the moment and working fast, but not so fast that his studio feels cookie-cutter. “I wanted to create a work flow that allowed me to quickly accomplish any idea a client or myself would have.” He maintains that time spent setting up for that idea simply draws the energy out of the room and the idea itself. This idea of capturing the energy in a room is also why his favorite part of recording is communicating with people, and translating their concepts into great recordings. “I know how creating that sound you have in your head can be a difficult thing to express in words, let alone accomplish. I believe that the best ideas come from being creative in the moment, and that’s why I don’t waste time on anything that takes us out of that moment.”
Aside from the work with artists he has co-written, produced and recorded work that has been featured on ABC, ABC Family, MTV, History Channel, Lifetime, Bravo, CW.
He’s also co-written, produced, and recorded music that has been featured in advertisements by Gap Kids, Tory Burch, Tiffany, DKNY, Chase, McDonald’s, Citibank, and Nationwide with Donora Music Creative.
Noted
2022
String Machine Releases New Album with Rave Reviews
PPG_"String Machine could be next big band out of western PA"
Stereo Gum_Band to Watch
Paste Magazine_Paste
2021
Laure June Gets Rave Review in PPG
"Casey Hanner explores her folk-country roots in stunning fashion."
Ames Harding Wins Third Place in WYEP’s Songwriting competition
https://wyep.org/event/2021-singer-songwriter-competition/
Nathan Zoob Bids Farewell to Pittsburgh with Solo Release.
2020
Bad Custer Wyep’s Artist of the Week.
http://wyep.org/local-913-needs-work-by-bad-custer
String Machine’s “Death of the Neon” Gets Glowing Review From Pitchfork.
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/string-machine-death-of-the-neon/
Morgan Erina’s Song “Are You Happy” Featured On Apple Playlist.
https://soundcloud.com/misrarecords/morgan-erina-are-you-happy
2019
Bindley Hardare Co. “Strange Time” Number One Local Song on WYEP.
http://wyep.org/wyeps-top-local-music-2019
Essential Machine “Wasted” Number Six local song on WYEP.
The Summercamp “Pachinko Number Ten local song on WYEP
2018
Townsppl TWIGS album named top local album of the year by WYEP! http://wyep.org/audio/the-local-913-best-of-2018-townsppl
Donora “Sun to Me” named 3rd best local album of the year.
2017
The Buckle Downs Album Hard Truths was named WYEP top local album of the year. (Produced, Mixed, and Mastered)
2016
MEETING OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE'S TROIKA NAMED WYEP'S TOP LOCAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR.(CO-PRODUCED, RECORDED, MIXED, MASTERED)
Pet Clinic's No Face named in WYEP's top 5 local albums of the year. (vocal producing and recording, mixing, mastering)
Bill Deasy's Timeless Things (produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered) and Moip's Troika named top local album picks of the year by The Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Bill Deasy's Timeless Things production mentioned in Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Meeting of Important People's Troika is featured in Pittsburgh Post Gazette
2015
Donora’s Ha Ha Heart named one of WYEP’s Top 5 Local Albums of the Year (co-wrote, produced, and recorded)
Cold Weather’s When Waking named one of WYEP’s Top 5 Local Albums of the Year (co-produced, recorded, and mixed)
Balloon Ride Fantasy’s Self Titled LP named Sound Scene Express’ Album of the Year (mastered)
2014
1, 2, 3’s Big Weather named one of WYEP’s Top 5 Local Albums of the Year (co-mixed and mastered)
Donora's Ha Ha Heart featured in Pittsburgh Post Gazette
2013
Donora's video "Float Away" premieres on Paste Magazine's website.
2012
2011
Boyfriends, Girlfriends named WYEP’s Top Local Album of the Year (co-wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed