Behind the Sound: Jacob Laxton Navigates College and the Music Industry

Twenty-year-old Jacob Laxton is an Elon sophomore majoring in Music Production and Recording Arts. He is also a self-produced recording artist, showcasing not only a debut album, but a music video as well. As Hannah Montana once said, you get the best of both worlds. 

Jacob wasn’t always planning on studying music in college. In fact, he didn’t do anything musical until his sophomore year of high school when he found himself inspired by artist Jon Bellion, who is known for his genre-hopping and radiantly catchy music. Jacob was drawn to the way that Bellion produced music, a fascination that then blossomed into a new passion for music production and songwriting.  

Although Jacob didn’t always intend on making music, he’s always had an ear for the craft. He began teaching himself piano his freshman year of high school and since then, he has taught himself a variety of instruments, ranging from guitar to bass to drum pads.

Jacob’s first album, “FULLSTOP,” dropped in February. The album boasts seven songs, all written and produced by Jacob himself. Since last August, Jacob had his sights set on releasing an album, so he poured himself into writing. Crafting the album was akin to piecing together a puzzle, melding some of his older works with fresh ones, and everything ultimately just fell into place. 

Being an MPRA major was helpful, but it’s not like they just teach you how to make an album or how to do PR (at least, not yet; Jacob is only a sophomore). So Jacob mastered the production process on his own. Then, he called upon Limelight Records and voila, there they were to help him navigate through the murky waters of promotion. Jacob even had the opportunity to create his first music video for his song “trust.” 

Jacob’s music is “for everyone,” and he finds it difficult to define his sound in just a few measly words. With “FULLSTOP,” Jacob’s goal was to transcend genre throughout the album and paint a one-of-a-kind experience for his listeners. His biggest influences for this album were artists such as Jeremy Zucker, Nothing but Thieves and, of course, Jon Bellion. 

Still from the music video for Jacob Laxton’s song “trust”

When it comes to listening to the album, Jacob says, “don’t expect anything.” He wants his tracklist to be surprising, and he aims to transport the listener to a visually-evocative soundscape. It’s a vibrant experience, each song with its own unique color palette. According to Jacob, “When I’m President” has a very industrial, steel, metallic sound, while “Growing Pains” is closer to a soft blanket of dusty blue. He compares creating the album to painting a landscape, saying, “You might look closely and say, okay, this waterfall here is blue, the sky is blue, this owl is brown, the trees are green. Each element has its own color, but when you take a step back, it all comes together and you’ve got a painting of the mountains. That’s what it’s like.” 

The album is bold and energetic at times, while equally raw and cathartic at others. If you’re really craving some comparables, the style of the music on Jacob’s album reminds us of a cross-pollination of artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Elliott Smith and Oliver Tree. Our personal favorite off the album was “Growing Pains,” a song about the anxious and solitary feeling of finding your identity in the midst of major change. But, there really is something for everyone. 

We spoke with Jacob about his future goals and for now, he’s focused on promoting his album. Next semester, he hopes to play more live shows and performances. When asked the dreaded question, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” Jacob answered gracefully. He hopes to have carved out a signature sound and established himself as a sought-after writer or producer. “That’s the dream,” he said. But as it is, he’s on a mission to open every door possible just to see who enters.

Overall, Jacob just wants to continue giving through his music. Everyone loves a good song, and he’s out to give the people what they want. For Jacob, inspiration comes from those he keeps close. His friends, most of whom are fellow musicians, constantly drive him to innovate and create. His philosophy goes like this: “If I surround myself with good people, I’m going to make good music.” Hey, we can’t argue with that. 

For anyone looking to put their music out into the world, Jacob’s advice is simple yet profound: find yourself in your music. Don’t try to be a carbon copy of something you hear or want to be. He emphasizes finding your own sound and being vulnerable. Put in that work, and always continue to rediscover yourself. But most of all, Jacob says to “keep giving.” 

You can find Jacob’s album on all music streaming platforms and watch his music video for “trust” on YouTube. For more music updates, follow Jacob on Instagram @jacoblaxton.