Episode 7: Jake Thistle (Singer/Songwriter) – The Best of New Jersey Podcast

Amanda Morrison: Welcome to the Best of New Jersey podcast presented by Sojo Spa Club, New Jersey’s wellness getaway. The Best of New Jersey podcast celebrates New Jersey’s most influential figures and the communities that shape them. Big names, real talk, real Jersey. I’m your host, Amanda Morrison from Don’t Sit Home.

Today I would like to welcome singer, songwriter, New Jersey native, Rutgers graduate, and recent American Idol contestant, Jake Thistle. Welcome to the podcast.

Jake Thistle: Thank you so much for having me. It really means a lot.

Amanda Morrison: So, you know, let’s just let’s talk a little bit about you. I mean, we have a lot to talk about, but let’s talk about, you know, your upbringing and your New Jersey roots because we are the Best of New Jersey podcast. So, let’s start with where did you grow up?

Jake Thistle: Yeah, I grew up in Bergen County, in Paramus. And you know, it was a great time. You know, we lucked out because they have a great music program in those schools but my parents didn’t know that when they moved there. I just happened to go to the Paramus public schools. But they did a great job sort of allowing me to grow as a musician and really fostering that. And I learned a ton, you know, being in that district. And so, that was definitely huge for my development for sure.

Amanda Morrison: Okay. So, what made you, I mean, obviously growing up with a great music program, what made you want to stay in New Jersey and go to Rutgers?

Jake Thistle: Really, the main thing was location. I knew I wanted to be, you know, a little bit far from home, which is like, you know, I’ve considered over 40 minutes. But I didn’t want to be too far because my manager was here, you know, my family was here, but all my gigs were here, too. And I didn’t really want to have to start over. And I thought about going, I applied to places in Nashville and places in LA, and places I knew had a great music scene. But at the end of the day, I just decided Rutgers is roughly an hour from anywhere I need to be in the state. You know, I get to Asbury really quick, I get back up to, you know, New York really quick or something like that. So, location was the first part of that. But again, I really lucked out because I was a communication and journalism double major. And everybody in the departments was really, really kind and letting me, you know, go out and do a couple dates and come back and whatever. And they all kind of really understood that because the professors are professionals in their own right, too. And so they understood what I had to say. “Okay, if it’s okay, I want to leave to do this.” And they got it that it was kind of a business trip. So I appreciated that. I don’t know if I could have done that if I was an engineer, but you know, they were they were really great.

Amanda Morrison: So, what made you pick those majors?

Jake Thistle: I just wanted to stay writing, you know, that was really my main thing. And far away from math is is definitely the other side of it. I knew I didn’t want to do math. But yeah, both my parents were English majors, and so I kind of grew up in that environment anyway. I love writing. I love, you know, my dad works in communication, so it just seemed like kind of a natural choice to, you know, get a degree in something other than music. That was one of the only things I thought of when I was going to school was, “I don’t really want a degree in music because I’m kind of doing what I want already anyway without the degree.” So, I want to get in something vaguely adjacent but not actually music. So, it’s helped me a lot, you know, being on the other side of PR classes and knowing what I can give my publicist or something like that. That’s been a huge help, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Yeah. Um, so what were some of your favorite spots growing up and even going to school and now actually?

Jake Thistle: For sure. Yeah. You know, I grew up in Paramus and so, you know, I considered myself really lucky to grow up there because, you know, we had a ton of parks to hang out and a ton of malls to hang out. And so like, I grew up right by Paramus Park, so we would always go there. My parents always tell the story like that’s kind of where they would let me get my first steps because I just wanted to once I started walking I never really wanted to stop. And so they would just sort of drop me in Paramus Park and follow me around and let me run around. And so, you know, definitely places like that. You know, and Paramus always had these staples like The Fireplace and things like that that, you know, not there anymore but grew up going there and had a lot of burgers there too. So, you know

Amanda Morrison: Are you a burger guy?

Jake Thistle: I am. Yeah.

Amanda Morrison: What’s your favorite burger?

Jake Thistle: Oh, that’s a really tough one. That’s a tough one. I mean, I probably go most these days to the Saddle Brook Diner. So, I’ll say that. You know, they’re open late. And so coming home from the shore or whatever, I have a lot of favorite spots down there, too. But, you know, coming home and that’s usually the only place that’s still open. So, I go there and it’s always a lot of fun, you know.

Amanda Morrison: So, I’m aging myself because even when I know like the Grease Trucks growing up for me, even when in high school, I would go there after like sporting events and stuff and I know that was no longer there. But like when you were going to Rutgers, what were some of your favorite spots?

Jake Thistle: Well, when my final year at Rutgers, I which just ended, I lived above Hansel and Griddle, which was kind of a terrible idea because I could order it on my phone and it would be ready by the time I went down the stairs. And like, I paid on my phone, so it wasn’t real money. And it just was like burgers every day or fries or whatever I was getting. So that probably my doctor probably wouldn’t recommend living above Hansel and Griddle, but I had a great time up there. You know, so that was one. You know, Are U Hungry and like all those places, some staples you know still still kind of survive. That was one of the trucks I think at one point. I didn’t overlap with the trucks by kind of a long time, but I would have loved to because that sounds really fun. I definitely ate way too much of Grease Trucks growing up. My doctor probably would not have approved that either.

Amanda Morrison: So, I did watch your recent interview with Ryan Seacrest and I didn’t realize this that you talk about at the beginning of your journey kind of started with the Super Bowl.

Jake Thistle: It is, yeah, very timely. So, I’m glad to be talking, you know, to you about it because you know about it more than anyone else. But, um, yeah, when I was three years old, my parents let me stay up to watch at least half the Super Bowl. I had an early bedtime, so it’s probably only half. But, uh, thinking I’d get into sports or something like that, which wasn’t necessarily the case but Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played the halftime show, and for one reason or another, it just really mesmerized me, and I kind of just stuck with it ever since.

Amanda Morrison: I mean, that’s wild to think about that mesmerizing a three-year-old. I mean, I remember my first time seeing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and I was a lot older than three. Um, so were there any other halftime shows that you that or is that the one that just kind of sparked you?

Jake Thistle: I mean, that was the funny thing is at the time that was really the only one that really grabbed my attention and I’m not exactly even sure why. You know, it’s one of my favorite halftime shows. Obviously, it impacted my life, you know, probably more than any single moment. But it’s not the flashiest halftime show. So, I’m not exactly sure what grabbed my eye. It must have just been the music. But it is funny, I go back and think about it. I know the next year Springsteen did it, and I’m sure I liked it at the time because I’m a huge Springsteen fan now, but I don’t really remember it one way or the other. It was like Tom Petty was the one that mesmerized me. And now I go back and I watch it and go, “Oh, Springsteen’s halftime show was great or whoever else, you know, did it.” When I was growing up, you know, probably I guess all the Super Bowls I had, I was born in ’04, so before 10 years old, it was all like that wealth of really great classic rock artists that you know, it was a kind of a cool run. And, uh, but yeah, Tom Petty was always the one that mesmerized me the most.

Amanda Morrison: Well, I think you get a pass because Springsteen was, you were four. So, you know, if you don’t have actual memories from every single one after three years old, I think you get a pass on that one. Um, so you talked about what your parents majored in, but what does music run in your family? Are they talented musically?

Jake Thistle: Not that we know of, at least. I don’t know. They haven’t really tried, but no, I’m pretty much the only musician in my family. And so, I always really appreciated them, you know, being as supportive as they were. I picked up guitar when I was nine and I started playing around six months later. So there was a, and it, and I continued to play like pretty regularly after that. So there was a really long time where they had to drive me everywhere. You know, sometimes I was doing four gigs a week they’d have to drive me to until I turned 17. So, yeah, I appreciated that. I’m an only child, so that helped because I didn’t have to worry about soccer games or recital or something like that. You know, they could kind of just take me to all of the weird bars that would hire, you know, an 11-year-old or something like that. But, yeah, it was a great time in those days. And you know, we’ll all pack in the car and go to the gig and and and that was a lot of fun. They have weekends back mostly now, which is nice, but they still come around a lot.

Amanda Morrison: So, I my parents used to drive me around for sports and I think they’re very happy that they’ve had their weekends back for a long time now. But what, how did actually that work for you, where you were playing at places that you weren’t even legally sometimes being allowed to be in or drink in? So how how did that work?

Jake Thistle: It was really funny because I would start playing these places relatively young, you know, or I guess just young, you know. I started when I was nine. I would play restaurants or ice cream shops or street corners or kind of wherever. I just knew that I didn’t take a lot of formal lessons. I mainly learned off YouTube. So, I knew the more I got in front of people and the more Interacted with people, the more I would learn that way. And eventually, you know, I started playing bars, and when I was 11 or 12 or 13, it was never a problem. And then once I started to hit 16, I guess 15, 16, 17, that was when it started to become a little more problem because I sort of aged into someone that I guess could theoretically sneak in a drink somewhere. And that’s when it started to tighten up a little bit because I guess no bartender in their right mind is going to serve anyone that looks 12, you know, once I started to hit 19, you know. But everybody was always super cool about it. And, you know, my parents enjoyed it because they figured I got it all out of my system when I was, you know, 11 and didn’t have to have any trouble in my 20s. But you know, yeah, it was great. And I had my my birthday when I am 21 now. So when I turned 21, we had my birthday show at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park which is, you know, a place I played multiple times but you know, never could go through the front door because they were, you know, strict 21 up, and I didn’t want to break any of those rules. So I was coming through the kitchen or whatever. And so, it was nice to we did the we did the birthday show there, and I could kind of plant my flag and say, “Okay, I’m allowed in the building now,” you know.

Amanda Morrison: Did you have your first first 21-year-old drink in Wonder Bar?

Jake Thistle: I guess I did. I don’t I mean I was working that night. It was my first headline there, so I’m sure I did at some point just as for the ceremony, but I don’t remember it. But I don’t remember it because of that. I don’t remember because it was a whirlwind for other reasons.

Amanda Morrison: So your first show was at nine?

Jake Thistle: Yes. Yeah, it was an open mic night in Hackettstown. It just kind of came up organically. There was a a family friend, actually a family friend who had given me my first guitar. You know, they had known of it, and it kind of made its way back, and my mom had said, “Oh, why don’t you go, you know, try out, you know, just just do it, have fun.” So, you know, we went over and it was good. I opened it up, played three songs. It was like my first time ever playing in public, and I was just so excited. That’s all I remember about it really. I don’t remember much of the actual night, but just remember going there and being like, “Oh, I can’t wait to do this. Like, this is going to be so fun.” And so, I kept going back and the guy that had that open mic had other open mics, and he would say, “Oh, come to this one or whatever.” And then eventually some of those places would hire me or he would recommend me for places, and it just kind of snowballed from there, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Okay. Cuz I know I’ve been hearing about you for a long time from my parents. And I don’t even actually know exactly what’s the connection with my parents?

Jake Thistle: The year? I’m not sure, but they found me at Baconfest, I think.

Amanda Morrison:Okay.

Jake Thistle: They might be able to, I’m sure on the way home I might get a call, you know, and say, “No, that’s not true.”

I think I think they found me at Baconfest, which is a festival in Eastern Pennsylvania. I started playing, I guess, when I was probably for 13 or 14, something like that. And it was always a lot of fun. I mean, it’s it’s like over the course of the weekend, they have like almost 100,000 people or something like that like that just come and eat bacon and watch music. And I mean, the lines are, you can’t believe it. Like they shut down the middle of Easton and, and you know, it’s like a sea of people. So, it just was always a lot of fun. And first couple years I played acoustic. Then the next couple years I started to play, I guess acoustic in the morning, and then I would bring my band at night or you know, in in the afternoon and we would do the two gigs and and it was always a lot of fun. But I think they saw me there for the first time and then they they brought me into Morristown, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Yeah. My dad I know he’s always on the hunt for young talent for our, whether it’s his parks or pools and Morris Township and stuff too. But I mean it’s been so wonderful hearing, I mean my parents are two of your biggest cheerleaders. But it’s been really nice to follow your success myself because even seeing you from, you know, or hearing from you from the beginning to seeing where you are now, it’s been incredible. But when you started though, obviously you’re a singer songwriter and you play the guitar. Do you play any other any other instruments?

Jake Thistle: Mostly guitar and piano. I can survive like in the studio on some other, you know, like on bass or something, but, you know, I’m not breaking out live anytime soon. I kind of need that that that second chance, you know, on the next take, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Okay. Do you What um did you immediately want to learn an instrument, too, or did you just start with singing?

Jake Thistle: I started with guitar.

Amanda Morrison: Oh, okay.

Jake Thistle: It was kind of one of those things. When I was a toddler, this family friend, you know, one of my dad’s best friends, his son is a musician. He’s probably about eight years older than me or something like that. I’ve told the story enough where I should just find out how older how old he is compared to me. But he played guitar, and they gave me guitar when I was a toddler because it made noise and I was a toddler. So it was like the coolest thing ever. But I didn’t really I didn’t learn how to play. I didn’t think of it. I was like 2 years old and it just made noise. So eventually it started to collect dust and you know, whatever. So when I was nine, you know, he started to get really good and his mom wanted the guitar back because it was his first guitar. They were kind of sentimental about it. So I was like, “Yeah, of course, just take it.” It was collecting dust, so I gave it back. But they felt so bad about that that they replaced it with another guitar, which was completely unnecessary, but I’m I’m grateful for it because it seemed like too nice a guitar to have and not know how to play. So, I picked up guitar from that and, you know, he taught me my first couple chords that day. And then I, you know, kind of will go on YouTube. But being such a big fan of, you know, Petty and John Hiatt and Springsteen and people like that the thing to do was just, “Well, if I want to do this, which I decided I did at a pretty early age, like they all sang.” Like, I knew I didn’t want to just play guitar because I was afraid that I would I wouldn’t like progress with my songwriting and things like that. So pretty soon after I started playing, I decided, “Okay, I kind of have to break out and and and sing a little bit,” just because that was what I that was just the thing to do. That’s that’s how Tom Petty did it and Springsteen did it. So that’s I guess how I have to do it too. And that was also the same thought process when I started writing songs as well was they play the songs they write, so I guess I should write songs so I can play them.

Amanda Morrison: What do you So, did they inspire your music style?

Jake Thistle: Oh, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, really, I have to think it was like sort of the early days of YouTube when I was three but I would go on after that halftime show and watch a bunch of Tom Petty videos, and it would sort of recommend me, you know, other, you know. He had such a great network of friends like within that community, and so it would recommend me George Harrison videos and Bob Dylan videos. And so that was really the beginning of like sort of developing my musical taste was just through the recommendations and seeing sort of like the little pockets of that world and that that era, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Have you seen your music style change or have you been consistently on the same path?

Jake Thistle: I mean, a little bit of both. I definitely ebb and flow. You know, I go through phases, for sure especially, you know, right now, like we’re putting together a new record and and every time I do that, this is like kind of the third big release like we’re going to do. Um, I always find myself sort of like getting deeper into one thing or another. So, I mean, I’ve definitely come around to, you know, I listen to really all kinds of music. I sort of roll my eyes when people say that, but it is true. You know, like I just love music like as a whole, and I find it fascinating. And so, um, yeah, I’m a huge fan of, you know, some younger guys, too, like, you know, Sam Fender and The War on Drugs and The Japanese House and The 1975 and like there’s just so so much great writing out there, you know, from any era.

Amanda Morrison: I’m the same way. That’s why I mean, even growing up, like they look at all the different ticket stubs I would have, and there’s just there’s no particular box that I fall in. So, I completely understand. Um, so when you were growing up though, you’re talking about how your when your high school or like your schools growing up had a great music program. Was there any one particular mentor or mentors either going like educationally or as you’ve, you know, I mean, you were playing in bars when you were 11. So, was there anyone that kind of took you under their wing and really kind of tried to show you the ropes?

Jake Thistle: Oh, yeah. I mean, honestly, I’m so lucky to say more than more than I can ever count. You know, I mean, in schools, you know, my middle school music teacher was a guy named Greg Nollesnik, who is, to this day, probably one of the best piano players I’ve ever seen and he taught choir as well. And like he just was one of those like, like he had been in the district, I think roughly 35 years at the time. And, and, and like he just was like such a mesmerizing guy because he taught it for so long, and he knew exactly how to engage everybody. And so I got a real kick out of him, and he was definitely, you know, instrumental, and sort of, no pun intended, like, you know, bringing me sort of up to speed and like wanting to love music. When I went to the high school, you know, Bob Gizzy is an incredible teacher there that taught, you know, he was like the head of jazz band, which I fell in love with really quickly and he taught piano lab, which is where I sort of like first started fiddling around, you know, on keyboard, and just, you know, music theory. He taught he was kind of like just the general music teacher like for whatever they needed. He could do it. And he’s also, you know, kind of a fixture in the in the New Jersey music scene, too. So, it was always funny because he was this teacher I loved and really respected in school. And then sometimes I would walk into a gig, and he would be like subbing on piano like at a bar, too. And I’d be like, “Oh, that’s amazing,” you know. So, you know, there’s so many, you know, others like that within the district that I really gravitated to. I did a jazz band with Dr. Wall in middle school as well and, you know, people like that. But, you know, beyond that, I learned a ton. I played with a guy named Lou Paulo for a long time who was we would play at this bar in Butler a lot. And Lou was the rhythm guitarist for the Les Paul Trio for years, and he just knew everything. Like he was like one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen. And he was, I was the youngest person in this band when I played with them by about 70 years without exaggeration. I was 16 when he was 86. So, I can’t even put into words how much I learned from Lou and, you know, the other wealth of people he would bring in because there was other young talent that would come in and and I would learn so much from them and and how sort of how they were coming up in their journey. But then also, he would bring in like just complete legends from the 50s, 60s, and 70s or whoever, you know. I like when he was he was sick one time, and and I remember like Keith Richards calling him to wish him well. And like that’s like Lou just kept like Lou was held in such high regard by everyone around him. So I was so honored, you know, for for years I would play with him and and play with that band and and I learned a ton from him. And, you know, there’s a ton of people like that just sort of like sprinkled around New Jersey but also like my life that that I’m really honored. It’s such a great scene like kind of up and down, top to bottom of the state. So that was really an honor.

Amanda Morrison: So, I know that you’ve played with some iconic people. Do you want to list a few of them?

Jake Thistle: Uh, sure. I mean, you know, because we talked about him earlier, I’ll say, you know, when when Tom Petty passed, I was lucky enough to be invited to play with a few of the Heartbreakers at this memorial for him in LA at the El Rey Theater which was such a blast, and I and I had a really great time doing it. But, um, I’ve learned so much just from watching those guys. So, getting to getting to play with them was something that I found really special. Um, and, and, you know, there there’s a a couple little, you know, corners where where things like that would happen and and, you know, sometimes I’ll text one of them. And I text them typically every Super Bowl and and I’m still that kind of three-year-old kid that thinks it’s like the coolest thing in the world. And, you know, and so I get a real kick out of things like that. And, you know, I’m really honored, you know, that to have those opportunities.

Amanda Morrison: Oh, that’s amazing. Um, what have been some of your favorite venues to play in?

Jake Thistle: Oh, man, that’s tough. You know, I just got off about a a four-month, or I’m sorry, a four-week tour of Europe, which I had a great time, and and there were so many little venues we played out there. I was with the Light of Day Foundation, which is a Jersey-based charity that benefits Parkinson’s research. And they take, you know, a couple songwriters out every year to tour Europe and they’ve got a decent presence over there that it was an honor to sort of see that sort of firsthand and and the impact that the the charity has, you know, sort of all over the world. And we played these amazing small venues in in in and around, and some weren’t even that small but, you know, one of my favorite places, it’s this place in, I’m probably not pronouncing right, but Dörfles-Esbach, Germany, called the Upstage and I had heard of it. But I had a lot of friends that played there, but I hadn’t been there, obviously. And it’s it’s run by this couple, Ross and Petra, and they’re huge Springsteen fans, and they’re huge fans of Asbury Park. And they have this barn in this small town in Germany that they could probably fit 150 people in or so. And they just decorated the whole thing to look like Asbury Park. They have like the Stone Pony sign, the side of the sign, they’ve got the Wonder Bar Clown, whatever. And so I’d heard of this. This was probably the fifth date on tour, and we did them all in a row. So Sweden, whatever. We’re going, we’re doing this. We’re doing that. We’re doing that. And then I walk into this place and it like kind of stopped me in my tracks cuz I’m like, “Wow, am I back home?” You know what I mean? Like, they did such a meticulously amazing job decorating this place. And that was just a place I found really special. We were there for two nights and there some of the sweetest people. We we were able to stay sort of like on the grounds of it. And so that’s a place that always comes to mind because it was such an honor to get to play there. But there were a ton of little spots like that in Europe where I just was would kind of be able to pause and say, “This is really an amazing place. I’m so honored to be, you know, standing here.”

Amanda Morrison: What’s your favorite venue in New Jersey to play in or to go see a show?

Jake Thistle: Oh man, that’s tough. I mean, I play in I play in Asbury so much, so I’m a little biased there. You know, one of my favorite venues to play in is probably the Wonder Bar just because we did the birthday show there. It was my first headline, you know, in in the Wonder Bar. We sold it out, and I was so grateful for that cuz I really wasn’t sure how it was going to go. Um, and that just was a really warm experience for me. So, every time I play there, I think of that. Of course, The Pony, you know, is is so iconic. Um, I’ve seen a bunch of great shows at at Asbury Lanes. I’ve played there as well, you know, and that’s always a great time. But, I remember, I’m I’m a huge fan of The Japanese House, and I saw them at Asbury Lanes and that was a really really fun show. I don’t go to a lot of standing room shows, you know, just because the artists that I typically go see on tour are playing seated places now. But that was a really fun high energy show. So, I’ll say Asbury Lanes, too.

Amanda Morrison: Okay.

Jake Thistle: I’m biased for Asbury.

Amanda Morrison: Okay. I know there’s so many great venues there. I’ve seen a lot of shows there. Um, so let’s switch gears and talk American Idol. So, what is, I mean, first of all, was that was your goal? Did you always want to do like maybe a show or a competition? And is this your first one?

Jake Thistle: Yeah, this is my first one. I’m not sure. I mean, it was on the radar for a little bit. You know, producers had reached out for a couple years and sort of the timing was never right. Either I was going on the road, and I wouldn’t be able to get down for it, or I had a record coming out that I needed to promote, and it wouldn’t have worked with, you know, this or that or whatever. And so this year when they reached out, it just sort of the stars aligned. I was graduating school a semester early. So, I knew that, you know, if I were lucky enough to advance, I wouldn’t have to take a semester off or anything like that. You know, I could just really give it give it my all and and and make it a priority. And so just kind of worked out. And so I went down to do it. All the auditions were in Nashville, so I I flew down for it, and had a great time. I wasn’t there for too long. You know, they, I mean, 24 seasons in, they better be efficient, you know. So I was in and out. And they they did a great job sort of like fostering a really creative environment where all the contestants can hang. And so I loved it. I had a great time. And then, yeah, it it was, it really was a ton of fun. So, I was really grateful for the experience and, you know, we’re just looking to get as many eyes on the project as we can because I love doing it. I would do it in my room if nobody were there. But, you know, I really love, you know, hopefully being able to connect with people. And that’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the job. So, any way that I think I can do that, I’m going to try.

Amanda Morrison: Well, did you, I mean, you got great, you were getting great responses from the judges. So, what was your what was your experience like connecting with them?

Jake Thistle: Oh, it it was great. I you know, I was really really grateful, you know, for what they said. What they said was exactly what I was hoping to convey, which is that, you know, I have a lot of fun doing it, but I’ve also done it for a long time. And so my my whole thing was I wanted to prepare for this like any other gig which I knew it wasn’t. I knew it wasn’t any other gig. Like I’m not, I can’t compartmentalize and say, “Okay, this is exactly like playing the Wonder Bar.” I knew it was a different experience. But, walking in and just prepping, I knew if I could just, you know, be as authentic as possible, I think that’s the most important thing for a show like this is just to be so genuine. And so when I walked in, I just wanted to prep like a normal gig and that’s I think what I do best. And so, you know, some of their feedback and and them saying that I was kind of poised and that I seemed comfortable up there, that that really meant a lot to me because that’s that was sort of the main priority for me going in is I wanted to seem comfortable. I wanted to seem just like kind of warm and excited and also comfortable and like I’d been there before even though I hadn’t. So, I really tried my best to do that. I think it came across based on some of their feedback, but that’s what I was hoping for.

Amanda Morrison: Do you have a favorite compliment?

Jake Thistle: Oh, man. Well, I tell you what, I because I didn’t know what happened till I saw the audition, but I loved Luke’s impression of me when I walked out of the room. He was, cuz I guess I, you know, I tend to be a little robotic as it is. And so I got a real kick out of him saying, “Oh, well, we you guys might have some ups and downs, but means a lot and thank you so much.” And I got a real kick out of that. I was I was literally laughing hysterically. So that’s probably my favorite. I’m going to have to tell him, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Were you were you nervous at all?

Jake Thistle: I mean, I guess to a certain extent, it’s something kind of unlike anything I’d ever done. So, you know, there was a little bit of that because I’d never done it before but honestly, I was more excited than anything. You know, it was sort of goes back to what I was saying about, you know, hanging with some of the, you know, those Jersey greats from the scene. It was like I’ve learned basically everything I’ve ever learned interacting with people and playing in front of people and getting feedback, you know, in sort of a real-time sense. So, it was something I was more excited about than anything because these are such, I mean, they’re such heavy players in sort of like the cultural vernacular of music, you know. And so I knew that it was people that I was, you know, seeking their advice, you know, good or bad, and ways I can grow. So, I was more excited than anything to get in there and try it out, you know.

Amanda Morrison: What was your first song for the audition?

Jake Thistle: I played “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Blind Faith which was really a blast. I was excited about that one because I’m I’m I’m a big Steve Winwood fan and you know, I’m used to having 90 minutes to sort of get a show across and, you know, for this, we have 90 seconds. So, I did think about what I was going to do. And I thought this was kind of a good cross-section of what I do because it’s kind of bluesy, but, you know, because it’s Steve Winwood, there’s still that kind of great pop sensibility in there, too. And I think I thought it was just a decent blend of of what I wanted to accomplish. So, I was pretty excited about that. Yeah.

Amanda Morrison: So, how many stages of the show are there?

Jake Thistle: I, you know, I’m not even sure. I’m I’m trying to take it round by round, you know. But, um, you know, there’s a bunch. I think I think there’s four there’s four rounds, I think, before the live shows and then there’s a number of live shows, and that just goes right up until they pick a winner. So, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Okay. Um, that’s because even from the start when you said that producers are coming reaching out to you what’s even the timing wise when you get even get approved for it till you go to the audition for it to air?

Jake Thistle: For me it was, you know, I think typically the summer was when, you know, they would reach out. And then I think we finally signed on. It took us a little bit of time just to because we have a new record coming out this year. We just wanted to make sure our timeline was okay. You know, I didn’t want one to interfere with the other, which I was grateful it didn’t. But, um, so I think we signed on sort of at the very end of September, if I remember correctly and then, the first week of November, I auditioned. They they do auditions for a couple days, so I think it dipped into October a little bit, too, but I was in November.

Amanda Morrison: Did you know anyone else auditioning?

Jake Thistle: No, I didn’t. Going down, I’ve known people who have auditioned. There’s there’s I have some friends that have done the show before but, no, this season I I went down and I didn’t really know anyone. But, Idol does a great job of allowing us all to hang out and be together and and sort of grow, you know, from each other’s experiences. So, I’ve made a lot of great friends so far. And so, that’s really meant a lot.

Amanda Morrison: Is there do you have, have you learned, is there one lesson you’ve taken away from the experience so far?

Jake Thistle: You know, for me, I think the main thing is just, you know, be as genuine as possible. And so, you know, I’ve had the opportunity. They’ve they’ve allowed us to, you know, sort of be around so many other people. And I’m I’m seeing so many people be different versions of what yourself means to them, you know. And we’re all from different parts of the country and and, you know, we’re all from different walks of life. So just getting to see everyone’s personalities come through has really sort of taught me, you know, how important it is to, you know, go there. And I and how important it is to be Jake and not just a singer songwriter which sometimes I feel like I fall into the trap of just being like a singer songwriter because that is kind of what I put first in my in my identity. So sort of my goal, you know, is to be Jake, you know.

Amanda Morrison: Well, I’ve seen a lot of support for you online from a lot of different areas but a lot of New Jersey support. So, even I know that you know, you went to Rutgers, so I saw that they shared a nice thing about your episode airing. Was there anyone, was there anyone who shared your the video of you or the reel of you on American Idol or any of the publicity around it that surprised you?

Jake Thistle: Well, you know, I was honored by, you know, Rutgers sharing it, and, you know, Paramus School shared it, and, you know, Relay for Life in Paramus, and like all these things like sort of like these little pockets of my upbringing that that shared it and that and that really meant a lot. Um, you know, I was honored to do the the interview with Ryan Seacrest as well. You know, that was sort of we had done a bunch of press that day, and and, and I wasn’t exactly sure. Something was added on last minute and I didn’t know exactly what it was. And then, you know, the great I have a great publicist, you know, through ABC that kind of works and helps all the Idol contestants. And, you know, he mentioned it was Ryan, and I was super excited for that and I was really honored. And, you know, he he’s obviously a very busy guy. So, you know, we all interact with him, you know, through Idol but there’s a lot of us at this stage of the competition, too. So he’s obviously stretched thin interviewing everybody. So, I’ve really appreciated getting to interact with him again and and it really meant the world, and he’s always been incredibly sweet to all of us. And that really means a lot.

Amanda Morrison: All right. So, there’s different segments of the show and there’s also different cities. So, was your prep different for each like each segment and for each city?

Jake Thistle: Yeah, I mean definitely to a certain extent. You know, I wanted to keep things similar because I was really happy with my feedback in the audition. So, I knew going into Hollywood Week, I didn’t want to change up too much. I didn’t really want to go back to the drawing board fully. That being said, I did want to show another side of myself because we were lucky enough to play with a band in Hollywood Week. And that was something I was really excited about. The musical director for American Idol is Chris Pulley, who is incredible and he’s put together such an incredible group of musicians. And so, you know, being a band leader in, you know, here in Jersey I was super excited and it’s like leading a freight train being with this band because they’re just so incredible. And so I knew that, you know, despite wanting to kind of prep for things the same and and wanting to give sort of the same impression that I gave them last time which is that I’ve been here before and that I’m I’m comfortable up here and everything like that. I also really wanted to show myself more as a band leader and, you know, I’m not acoustic this time, so I can lean in a little bit more into rock. So I did I did a Sam Fender song that’s one of my favorites called “17 Going Under.” And I was super super excited for that one because it was actually a song I’d never really played before. It wasn’t, you know, “Can’t Find My Way Home” is one both acoustic and with my band. We break out all the time. But “17 Going Under” was one I we’ve probably played it once or twice, but I don’t remember specific times. But it just seemed like it was kind of the right moment to do it because it’s like what we were talking about before. It’s like it’s kind of become a a modern classic of a song. It’s one of my favorites, but, you know, it came out a couple years ago. Still kind of like, you know, culturally relevant, you know, in from like a modern lens. And so I was really really excited for it and, um, and, and it meant a lot to play with that band, even if it was just, you know, for a short amount of time.

Amanda Morrison: Okay. So, even the fact that you’ve gotten all the way to Hawaii, how many people how many people have auditioned? I mean, how many how many people unfortunately had to pack their bags and go home?

Jake Thistle: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I’m not sure that the total number of people who audition but it’s definitely a hard decision for the judges to make cuz I’ve seen, you know, whether it’s just people practicing in the holding room or or, you know, we’ve seen some sound checks when we all line up to go soundcheck or, you know, I’ve even seen some Hollywood Week rounds because people in front of me or behind me in the line when we go and everyone is legitimately incredible. Like it’s not it’s not an easy competition. And so I’m incredibly grateful but you know, I I don’t take for granted the fact that I’m around such incredibly talented people. And so I’m trying to learn as much as I can even when there’s time off and just, you know, learning the sort of rehearsal tactics of all these people. And I’ve already learned a lot. So, yeah, I couldn’t be a judge on it. It it’s a it’s a tough job. It really is.

Amanda Morrison: So, I mean music has been a part of your life your entire life basically. I mean, I guess until since you were three. Um, what what are things that do you do either to relax or to have fun? I mean, is there anything you even do just actually to prepare yourself for an audition or for to being on the show?

Jake Thistle: Yeah, I mean, it sounds goofy, but I really I turned my hobby into a full-time job, but it stayed my hobby, too. So, you know, when I’m not playing music, I’m just playing music for the most part, you know. You know, because now I’m, you know, I consider myself a songwriter first and an original artist first. You know, sort of like the work, which is a ton of fun, is is sort of the writing and producing and and touring and things like that. So, a lot of times to unwind, I’m just sitting there playing covers of old songs whether songs I grew up with and loved or, you know, new songs I’ve heard and just kind of like recreationally learning it, knowing that it’s might not be how it used to be for YouTube video like to get something out to post like a cover every day. Because I’ve kind of shifted gears a little bit from that, but just for my own sanity, you know, in my own and I know it helps, you know. I try to take I try to learn from every song I learn. So when I write a song, I can pull from things. And so I think it helps a lot, but that’s really what I spend most of my time doing.

Amanda Morrison: So, do you have a favorite original song?

Jake Thistle: Oh, man, that’s tough. Um, well, one song I’m really proud of is a song called “Sleep on Me,” which is sort of my latest single that came out. And and the reason I’m I’m super excited about it is because it’s the first song in a very long time that I recorded live with a with a band like in the room together. Typically it’s it’s kind of like me and a producer sitting like this, and you know, we’ll pull up the demo and lay down a drum track and then I’ll play some guitar and bass and whatever. And I’ve always really enjoyed that because it allows me full control. I know what every part is doing because I played it or at least the producer played it right in front of me. And so I still really like that process. But for “Sleep on Me,” you know, it’s a little bit more of an internal song. It’s a little bit more of a a conversation. And so I really wanted it to breathe and and live as as a performance. And so I went up to Boston with a great band. I’m I’m a huge fan of Tom Odell. And I played with his rhythm section there, Max Goff, Max Clover, and Toby Cooling who produced it. And it was just such a blast. We sat in a room like this. You know, I was on guitar, another guitar, bass, and drums. And and we, you know, from them never hearing it to the end of the session I think we played it four times and I think we ended up releasing Take Two. That’s how good of a band they are. And so I was honored that they they did it. They were on tour at the time. So, you know, they were really busy, but they took the time and you know, Toby ended up mixing it and it was so much fun. So, you know, all of my songs are kind of my favorite or I wouldn’t have put them out at the time. And then, you know, eventually they get all kind of ordered like as time passes. They fade or they grow or something like that. But “Sleep on Me” is one I’m really excited about just because it’s different than sort of my other processes a little bit.

Amanda Morrison: Do you have a full album out yet?

Jake Thistle: Yeah. Well, you know, yes and no. I put out I put out a record in the pandemic called “Down the Line,” which was sort of, you know, when I was 16 and I couldn’t go to school. I figured I should do something. So, I put that out as sort of a full release. And I and I, I self-released it. And then, when I signed with my label, we put out an EP, but it’s a very long EP. It’s like seven songs. And so, it’s kind of in that weird middle ground between an EP and a record. So, we called it an EP. So, people are pleasantly surprised at how many songs and not disappointed how few songs, you know. Um, so, no, it’s not a full record, but we’re putting out a full record this year, and and that’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m really excited for that.

Amanda Morrison: All right. Do I sound I’m asking this? What is an EP?

Amanda Morrison:It’s like an extended play. It’s like they’re typically four songs or, you know, something like that, three.

Amanda Morrison: So, obviously you’ve had, I mean, you’ve had experiences by playing with some great, you’ve been on American Idol. You’ve been playing since you or I mean, since you were nine. Um, has there been, what’s your favorite piece of advice you’ve ever received and from who?

Jake Thistle: Well, you know, I think for me it’s twofold because I try to take advice from everything. But I had a professor my first year of school who basically just said, “Make friends with everybody,” you know. And that really helped me out at Rutgers, you know, because I was asking a lot sometimes to, you know, leave to tour Europe for four weeks or something like that and do my school online or something which I was grateful they did. But you know, I graduated, you know, with very good grades and I really tried to just make myself a friend to all the professors. So when I approached them and said, “Hey, can I not show up for a month?” they would say, “Okay, we trust you to figure that out,” you know. And then I had fun figuring it out but I was glad I was given that opportunity. But I think that was only because I sort of made the connections, and so that that has helped me a lot. Um, and then, you know, from a songwriting perspective, I’ve been lucky enough to talk songwriting with with some of my heroes. And I remember that one conversation I had with Jackson Browne that that really resonated with me was he was saying that, you know, writing doesn’t happen on paper you know, it happens all of the times you’re not on paper and then it’s your job to sort of compile that. And so you’re writing a song, you know, at the grocery store or, you know, when you’re seeing people out at a restaurant or something like that. And then it’s your job to sort of funnel that into a song when you get to the paper. But the writing doesn’t start at the paper, it has to start elsewhere. And that’s something that has been really consistent throughout most people I’ve talked to. Um, you know, I remember conversations with, you know, some of, you know, the family of Tom Petty and I’ve I’ve grown, you know, close to his brother who’s one of the the sweetest people in the world. And he would always say that, you know, Tom would carry around a notebook that he would just write interesting phrases he heard like on the street or at the at a red light or something like that and then that would become the songs. And so any sort of advice like that that sort of like pulls the curtain back a little bit and shows other people’s songwriting processes are really the thing I probably find most fascinating about getting to talk to other songwriters. Cuz I have my own process, but it’s pretty standard issue at the moment. You know, I’m still trying to like find the little nooks and crannies that make me different, you know. Um, and so getting to hear from people who have had, you know, like 50 year, 55 year careers and and are still, you know, as culturally relevant as ever. And and, you know, could, you know, you know, when I saw Tom on the 40th anniversary tour, you know, to sell out an arena you know, multiple nights, 40 years after you were able to sell out an arena multiple nights is something that’s rare and really special. So, I take that advice really, really seriously.

Amanda Morrison: Do you ever have writer’s block?

Jake Thistle: Oh, all the time, constantly. Every time I think I’ve written a good song, it’s followed by at least a week of panic that I’m never going to write a song again, you know. Um, but I think, you know, I think I’m almost lucky because I feel like I live in a state of writer’s block whereas as in I write slowly, you know. I’m not one of those people who can just print out a song in 20 minutes, you know. Sometimes I can. Maybe once a year I can, and that’s like the best feeling in the world. But I kind of live in a state of being very very careful about things. And sometimes it takes me a day to write a syllable because I don’t like that phrasing and I have to sing it over and over again, and I have to sleep on it and figure this out. So because it’s like a perpetual state of writer’s block, I guess you could say like it’s really taught me to just write through it. And I think that’s been a huge part of my development is is writing a verse and just deciding you don’t like it and then in a week you can take three lines from the eight lines and make it into four lines of a different song and there’s all these puzzle pieces. And so I’m kind of fortunate I think to have that experience now because if I were able to just print out the songs, if that were to have stopped, I think I would have really freaked out and had to like evaluate my life. Because sometimes it will take me a month to write a song. I’m kind of used to it at this point and so I’m still working on trying to figure out how to bulldoze through it. Right now I’m like gingerly running through it but, you know, we’ll figure it out.

Amanda Morrison: Do you We talked about what your favorite songs or venues were but do your parents have, I mean, if they’ve been, you know, they’ve taken you on the road for, you know, since you were nine do they have any favorite songs or venues that you’ve either sang or played in?

Jake Thistle: Yeah, for sure. You know, I’m trying to think, you know, they liked, you know, they they when when I played with Lou, it was at a bar called Jiggs which was in Butler and, I think they always got a kick out of going there, you know. That was kind of a cool place and and, it recently, you know, closed or changed ownership but it it was a great place and it was sort of like whatever you’re picturing, that’s what it was. You know what I mean? Like, it was like a cool roadside bar that had like great music from like the coolest little, you know, like pockets of musicians, you know. And and you would walk in and you would not know that this person was like, you know, like a Rock Hall of Fame member or something like that. And it just was it was it was a really welcoming place. And so I spent like the years probably when I was maybe 12 to 16, I would spend a lot of time there. And so I think they appreciated sort of my development, you know, in there and how I grew as a musician. I learned a lot just from being in those walls.

Amanda Morrison: Okay. What is one piece of advice you would give to newer young talent?

Jake Thistle: Oh, man. Well, I already burned my making friends advice because that that’s the one I usually go to. But I would just say to make sure you do more than, you know, you know, I’ve learned so much being on stage. And so I think it’s it’s super valuable to practice in your room every day but I think as soon as you feel you’re ready to get out there and and play in front of people. And that might be in a week or that might be in 10 years. I’m not sure, but that’s by far where I’ve learned the most and where I’ve developed the most. And and I think it’s I think it’s more important than it gets credit for is is is is sort of getting in front of even four pe, even three people, right? Like when I the judges are three people, but that was one of the experiences where I’ve learned the most, you know. And so there’s no type of crowd that’s not a good crowd to to start in as long as they’re, you know, supportive of of you in the sense that they want to help you learn. Um, and I’ve been really lucky. You know, New Jersey has such a fantastic music scene that there’s so many places where I can figure that out. And there were places I was able to figure that out. Um, and, you know, so especially if you’re in in the Jersey area, do it. There’s no excuse not to. I mean, there’s it’s an amazing scene in every area.

Amanda Morrison: All right. Well, thank you so much for being here.

Jake Thistle: Thank you for having me.

Amanda Morrison: So, how can people follow your journey and actually find your music?

Jake Thistle: Yeah. Uh, well, I my website is jakethistle.com. T H I S T L E. And that’s kind of the center for everything. And then I’m Jakethistle music on on all socials and Jake Thistle on the streaming services.

Amanda Morrison: All right, thank you so much.

Jake Thistle: Thank you.

Amanda Morrison: And I’m Amanda Morrison. You can follow me at Don’tSit Home and The Best of New Jersey podcast. Thank you for listening. Make sure you check us out wherever you listen to your favorite podcast and follow us at Don’t Sit Home and The Best of NJ podcast on social media.