Meet The Artist: Interview With Jake From Star Student

Credit: @victoriamariephotos on Instagram

How long have you been making music?

Before this project, I putzed around with different names and bands, learning music production on mobile devices with my journey starting in 2013-ish. Yes, I was an iPad kid at one point. I started making music as Star Student starting in 2018 with some iPhone demos that were never really meant to see the light of day. My partner at the time encouraged me to begin publishing them so I did. A lot of that early stuff is taken down now. I’ll send the links to anyone who’s curious, though. I began taking the project more seriously in 2021 after my move to Chicago, putting emotional and political theses into my work in the hopes of finding and comforting those with similar experiences and worldviews. Star Student is for the kids. The angry ones with questionable taste.

Credit: @victoriamariephotos on Instagram

How would you describe the music you make?
I call it electronic emo. I’m sure there’s more hyper-specific terms for it that I’m not aware of. Sonically I would describe it like Teen Suicide meets Orchid meets GBC meets 100 Gecs. Of course I don’t claim to be as talented/influential as those groups - comparisons like that aren’t really quantifiable. I reference them as influences and in homage.

What is the earliest memory of your relationship with music?
My parents had this old CD-player-boom-box-thing (which wasn’t old at the time of this memory) and my mom had a large book of CD’s. Apparently, as a toddler, I used to just absolutely throw ass to “Shock the Monkey” by Peter Gabriel whenever it came on. Kicking up dust and tearing up carpet. Now, with a more fully developed (but not complete) frontal lobe, I can re-confirm it is indeed a great song. More consciously, I remember my dad showing me “Helena” by My Chemical Romance. He had a black, first generation iPod. That’s where most of my early taste came from. The music I consumed, more than anything else, shaped my worldview and subjective experience growing up - perhaps to an unhealthy extent.

What are some artists that inspire you?

Credit: @deadbeatbug_prod on Instagram

Shoutout Record Setter, Horse Jumper of Love, Brave Rome Terrified, Arcadia Grey, Xiu Xiu and Okra Metro. Not only would there not be a “Star Student” without them, but there’d be a hole in the fabric of the scene as well. 

What’s next for you and your music?
A new record and being dead broke on tour! I absolutely love creating and presenting cohesive projects regardless of audience size. I plan to focus on building a listenership with these next releases and being on the road with the homies as much as humanly possible. Come say hi. Then, tell your folks I says hi. 

What drives you to keep creating?
Necessity. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think I have the option of not creating. Creation is how I explore myself, my relationships, and my physical/metaphysical environment. It’s one of the things that keeps me alive. Creation is a bodily function at this point. 

Tell us about all of your activity and experience in the industry.

I book a lot of shows and some tours here and there both for Star Student and for my friends. I started throwing basement shows in early 2020 and have continued doing so both on a DIY and commercial level. I just love it. I’ve also been actively tour managing Arcadia Grey since 2021. STRSTDNT Presents, the name I use for all of my music business endeavors, is always open to new clients. Hit me up at starstudentcult@gmail.com for an experienced merchandise manager, tour manager, photographer, and or booker. Or you can just say hey. Both are welcome.