Jacob Borshard: Interview

Jacob Borshard – Mary 2007 (MP3)
Jacob Borshard – Pigeon’s Blood (MP3)
Jacob Borshard – In Love Again, Again via creebobby.com

New music from Jacob Borshard is always cause for celebration in the Woodshed household and I’m still a little hungover from my own private release party for his latest album A Glow in the Dark. As with his previous albums, they’re available for free download on his website (scroll right and you’ll find them). And Jacob was kind enough to answer a few ill considered questions from me.

How does A Glow in the Dark compare to your previous albums?

It’s the third in a set of three, a sequel in the way a movie is a sequel. Some stories reach an ending and others come back from the dead. I tried to make this album intertwine with the others in a way that would reward careful listening.

Also, I tried very hard to advance the lyrics and find new sounds.

(By the way, the electric sounds are all ukulele. I had a solid-body concert Danelectro uke made. The bass is a bass, though, a mini Fender P-Bass.)

How does playing the ukulele influence your song writing?

It keeps me going. I’m out to win the title ‘King of Ukulele Songwriting’. Who gives out those sorts of titles? Is there a descendant of Liliuokalani that has such jurisdiction?

First I write songs in my head. Then I try to work it out with the ukulele and find the chords. After that stage the uke is sort of the Excalibur that points the way. With some songs I’ll record and scat with the uke to find parts I hadn’t imagined. All solos are written while recording. Otherwise I would never remember them.

My main uke for this album, by the way, is an Earnest Instruments ‘La Paula’. It sounds and plays like an angel.

Did the Hollywood glitz and glam of winning the Music & Lyrics contest give you a taste for stardom or put you off for life?

It gave me a definite lust for more glitz and glam, but also showed me quite clearly that I’m not gonna get it!

What three songs does everyone need to hear?

Mary 2007
Pigeon’s Blood
In Love Again Again

How did you get involved with WeePOP? And are there any more releases planned?

Thor from WeePOP emailed and asked if I’d do it. I said yes. It was the artwork for ‘Cocktail’ that got me serious about drawing again. No more WeePOP releases planned, but one never knows . . .

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’d like to make an album of lyllabyes, a loud all rock n’ roll album, a collection of cover songs, some really fun new music videos, and a one page comic every week.

You can download all three of Jacob’s albums on creebobby.com, buy Last Brontosaurus and Songs for a Small Stereo here and Cocktail on WeePOP!

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7 Comments

  1. Anne November 10th, 2008 8:45 pm

    If I had the power to do so I would give Jacob Borshard the ‘King of Ukulele Songwriting’ title, he is so really great!

  2. Jimmy November 11th, 2008 5:28 pm

    Yeah, he’s pretty sweet.
    I do, however, love his Rickenbacker-style uke. I demand one. Any ideas on how to get hold of one?

  3. Woodshed November 11th, 2008 9:26 pm

    Anne: He certainly deserves the title.

    Jimmy: I think the best place to start would be to ask Jacob. His email address is on his website.

  4. Sean Mulroy November 11th, 2008 10:46 pm

    |I dont think its a Rickenbacker style uke. Its a “Fluke” or Flea ukulele. Thier quite nice but expensive…ish..

  5. Woodshed November 11th, 2008 10:53 pm

    Sean: I think you might be looking at the Loudon Wainwright post. Jacob definitely isn’t playing a Fluke or a Flea and it looks a helluva lot like a Rickenbacker.

  6. zym November 12th, 2008 12:20 am

    oooh a Rickenbacker Uke

    *cue Johnny Marr fantasy*

  7. Sean Mulroy November 12th, 2008 7:27 pm

    Yup. Sure was. A bit of site-confusion! A Rickenbacker for sure!

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