We had the good fortune of connecting with Jake Burns and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jake, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I started playing music in grade school. I continued through middle school and high school and started getting more serious about it in college. That whole time I was frequenting copious amounts of concerts with my parents and friends, absorbing as much as I could. Music was such a staple in my life and I always dreamed of doing it since the first show I attended.

Once I hit college, reality started setting in. They make you choose what you will major in which ultimately leads to your career choice. I hated that. Nothing sounded appealing to me. I felt like we were being forced to follow this step by step guide to being an “average citizen”. I wanted nothing average in my life. I wanted to travel. I wanted to meet new people. I wanted new life experiences. I wanted to create. I wanted to write music that changed lives just like my favorite bands had changed mine. I was always someone who would push the limits (for better or for worse) and this was no exception.

Right about the time I was a junior in college I made a decision within myself that I was going to pursue music as a career. A big part of me wanted to drop out of college but I finished it out (mostly to please my mom).

At the end of the day I decided that if I was going to work my ass off I was going to do it pursuing something I loved.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Rockstead is not your ordinary “reggae/rock” band. We all draw from some pretty rooted metal backgrounds which brings a heavier side to our reggae inspired music. Some people aren’t ready for it honestly. We released a new album back in February 2023 that we are very proud of titled “Fall Down. Get Up. Repeat.”. Many of these songs were written during the COVID pandemic and are some of my most honest and favorite songs I’ve written to date. There is a little something for everyone on that album. We’re also in the process of working on some new music which will be the first releases we’ll have with our current lineup. They are sounding great and I can’t wait to share them.

It has been a long road with Rockstead. The band and music has been around for about 10 years now but not without it’s challenges. Many member changes have occurred over the years. There has been lack of money, lack of focus, self doubt, gear and vehicles being stolen. You name it. With all that being said, we’ve kept pushing forward. At the end of the day there will always be obstacles you have to pass to reach your goals and rolling with the punches and staying on track is the only way you’re going to get there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents deserve the biggest shoutout. Since day one they have always been supportive of me playing music. When I was young my mom would make me get my hour practice time in on piano before I could go play with my friends. As much as I would complain about that, I got good at piano. I would sit in the car with my dad to finish listening to some cool song he wanted to show me, even though we were already home in the driveway. Both my parents took me to countless concerts before I was able to drive. Once I got a band going they would throw parties in the backyard just to give us a reason to set up and play for some people (even though we weren’t that good). Both of them have always attended any show they were able to come to. Even now that we travel all over the Eastern U.S. playing music they will still pop up and surprise us in places far from their home in Ohio. These are only a handful of examples but for all of this I am grateful.

Website: www.rocksteadband.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rocksteadmusic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rocksteadmusic

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/rockstead

Other: TikTok: @rocksteadmusic

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.