Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Gerl.
Hi Jake, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
To put it simply, Art is the essence of my being. Be it in the form of music, writing, acting, or martial arts, I am an artist through and through. Born in Ohio but raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Roanoke, Virginia, my family moved quite a bit, especially in my hometown. Though I’ve moved a lot, the one constant in my life has been creation and expression through art: from Taekwondo, to guitar; from Muay Thai to Musical Improv, I love to perform, play, and push myself.
After a rather challenging upbringing due to a split family and a separated sense of what to do, I found myself on my own at 18 and soon stumbled upon a book that changed my life forever: Matthew Polly’s, “American Shaolin”. His journey to China in the 90s, studying Shaolin Kung Fu with the most legitimate of laoshi (Chinese for “teacher”) had me itching to scratch my feet on the grounds of destinations far, far way. Still playing music, but finding another calling in teaching English as a foreign language, I made my way East in September of 2014.
With good luck and a great opportunity, I found my way to Kyiv, Ukraine where I was an English teacher by day, and an amateur Mixed Martial Arts fighter by night. I still continued using my music in the classroom, helping my students learn English through all of their favorite songs they’d heard exported from the West. Two years of living in the wild and wonderful world of Ukraine gave me such incredible experiences – but still I yearned for more, and still something was missing!
Unsure of where to go next, I returned to the U.S. to continue teaching, this time with younger students at a Montessori school in my home state of VA. I continued making music, using it in my teachings with the children, and soon I found another opportunity I couldn’t refuse. My feet were itchy again, and this time, I’d walk on great walls and the finest of stages as I flew off much farther East. The FAR East, to be exact, as I made my way to the Middle Kingdom of Beijing, China. There, I continued teaching but soon found some of the best musical success I’ve ever had. I stayed for four years and relished in the life of a wayward rockstar that only China could help create. From video game music groups like The Game Gurus, to Funk-Rock 5 piece bands like “Violette and the Hunters” — and not to forget the epic 11 piece big-band Stevie Mac and the Macdaddies – Beijing breathed new life into me. It solidified my realization that I needed to stop running from the one constant love that always followed me and never left my side.
In 2018 I returned to the U.S., knowing that I wanted to get a degree in Music. Having just cut my teeth with all kinds of performances, I wanted to focus on the business and production side of things. I returned to Virginia, went through James Madison University’s musical school + writing program, came out with some new skills in music production and fiction/screenwriting, and in 2024, made my move out West to Los Angeles.
I came here to find more opportunities for myself and to reach the next peak of my career and life achievements. I love all things music, writing, acting, improv, and outdoors. Los Angeles is probably the most challenging place I’ve lived, but I’m not backing down any time soon.
I have always said that I’ve wanted to experience all that life has to offer: the good, the bad, the melancholy, the joyful, the terrible moments of sadness, and the pinnacle peaks of gladness. Ive always vied for a most human experience and damn if I haven’t had that so far.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing worth going after is ever easy. My challenges have been both unique and common – our traumas and our woes are not unlike those of others.
I think being of the millennial generation (as I was born in 1989) is a unique struggle in its own. We’re part of this strange connection to a past that struggled hard, and a future that struggles harder still. We were told “Do what you love! Go to college! Get a degree! But find a job that you’re passionate about!” when maybe we should’ve been told otherwise. Yet, we’re to blame for so many of the problems our parents never cared to change. Maybe this is a bit macro, but I think with what we’ve experienced, it’s still warranted.
Personally, I’m not without my own troubles. My family’s history is riddled with addiction, suicide, and other struggles so there’s always some invisible battle to be had. Though I’ve fared better than many members of my family, I still got hit with the Diabeetus at the age of 21. Both my sisters have it as well.
I’m big on family and friendship. I love my people and I’d do anything for them. I’m one of 4 children in my family, but unfortunately there are really only 2 of us now: myself and my older sister. While my younger sister is still around, her struggles with addiction have drawn her away from the rest of the family for years now. Though she’s “alive”, she’s been gone for some time.
I had a younger brother, my best of best friends, but his mental health struggles led him toward an early exit from this world. He was 19. I often think about him and what he would be doing now. Often times I still do things together with him, thinking of him being there next to me. Unfortunately, my father decided to take the same leave not long after my brother’s departure. And so – I’m the last remaining male in my family.
Though these situations are heavy and leave invisible scars etched on my soul, I did say I wanted all that life had to offer, right? A most human experience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Blessed and cursed, I am an artist through and through. I’ve played guitar for 24+ years, I have been an improv actor for 5+ years, a writer for 6, and an overall musician / composer / audio producer for even longer. Many know me for playing guitar in all sorts of bands, and for my musical improv that I do. I also like to help others bring about the best in their projects, whether it’s helping with songwriting, music production, playing guitar/bass/singing in shows – whatever the need, the call I shall heed!
Currently, I have all sorts of fun things going on. I started a series here in LA called “From the Rooftop” where I feature local LA musicians. We get together, choose one of their songs, create a cover of it, and I film/produce a video of us playing it together on my beautiful rooftop here in the city! It’s a fun way for me to collaborate (my absolute favorite thing to do) and I get to promote local people who are so talented and deserving of recognition.
I also love to act and write for the screen! Television, short films, pilots, features, animated series – I love it all! I’ve written, acted, and produced some comedy sketches (“Lunch Break”) and currently I am finishing up a short for an animated series I’ve been working on for some time called “Stellar Star”. It’s animated, it’s hilarious, it’s sci-fi, and it’s alllll about the restaurant & service industries.
I’ve done improv in various capacities and am looking to get back into a group to have fun on the stage once more. One of my favorite troupes was “Friendly City Fables” back in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We were a Dungeons & Dragons inspired improv group and I was the forever funky bard aptly named, Dulain Fumblesong!
What sets me apart? I never give up. I have the persevering spirit of an eternally powered jackhammer. I’m gonna’ break through, I’m gonna’ breakthrough, and even if I don’t I’m gonna’ keep going until I do! I’d also say I’m a jack of all trades, but a master of…maybe one (guitar?) but there’s always more to learn!
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My sisters and I used to have a “band” when we were kids. Looking back, it was incredibly predictive for my future.
We’d get together in the garage when we were between the ages of 7-10 and just make up music and noise, but not with many actual instruments. My older sister had a tambourine, my younger sister had one of those plastic echo-y microphones, and I played guitar on a tennis racket. We made up silly original songs like, “Santa’s Gonna Ride on a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train” and “Tambourine Girl”, as well as others. It was silly, it was awesome and I eventually made that Santa song into an actual song with one of my bands. Coolest dream come true!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jakegerlmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirsixstring/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jgmusic9515
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@JGMakesStuff
