A Profile of the Singer/Songwriter Dakota Jay

Music is an emotional journey for Dakota Jay, and this became obvious in 2001 at the dawn of his career as a songwriter. Raised in suburban Philadelphia by small business owner parents, Dakota's early years were peppered by the influences of Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Richie Havens, and The Counting Crows.

An instinctive songwriter, Dakota's intuitive style stems from his self-taught methods and his easy grasp of guitar tablature. Dakota remarks that he "hated the lessons," preferring to move at his own creative pace and in his own musical direction. When he began writing his own music, Dakota began to frequent local open mic sessions and record stores, observing and absorbing the career path that would eventually choose him.

Upon graduating from Pennridge High School in Perkasie, the polite but assertive songwriter attended Temple University for one year before he found himself fully devoted to music. It's clear that Dakota Jay is serious about music--a studious look crosses his face when his songs are discussed. Dakota's passion for the musical craft combined with a keen understanding of the music business is reminiscent of a calmer combination of Lennon and McCartney.

In 2006, Dakota Jay began working with Grammy Award-winning producer David Ivory with whom he has recently finished recording his two song single "The Next Time". Ivory was drawn to the emotional, fearless, and descriptive nature of Dakota Jay's music, as well as the musician's own willingness to instigate a creative and intense 'sidewalk chalk' grassroots promotion campaign.

Currently employed as a barista at a Doylestown coffee shop, Dakota is a self-starter who devotes hours each day to writing, recording, and promoting his music. (Incidentally, his favorite Starbucks beverages include the tangerine fruit juice blend and the iced double tall latte.) His evolutionary and expansive nature has led him to perform in San Antonio, Santa Monica, San Diego, Hollywood, New York City, New Jersey, and Ohio. Additionally, Dakota Jay is highly visible on the local scene, performing frequently in restaurants, cafes, and shops in the Doylestown area.

Though his earlier influences are admittedly political and controversial, Dakota's more recent sound reflects a mature, internalized, introspective reality dealing with personal and emotive aspects of longing and conclusions. Dakota recognizes that he is on the human quest for identity in which relationships and experiences shape him. Rather than capture a moment in time, he captures, in a rare, talented way, evolution in motion. Unafraid to explore and assert his feelings on social and political issues, Dakota Jay progresses beyond the typical love song cookbook formula of his contemporaries.

Clearly a solo act, Dakota Jay utilizes the talents of studio musicians (such as artists who have worked with Alicia Keys, Quiet Riot, and Dr. Dre) in the studio. When performing live, he is clearly rather confident and self-sufficient with his own musical style. Comfortable and versatile in a live setting, Dakota Jay can often be found performing in the Doylestown scene at Starbucks, Puck, and Siren Records, never losing touch with the local connection.

Of his live style, Dakota Jay (who, incidentally, uses his real name) doesn't have to do a lot to be noticed. "I try to entertain the audience by engaging them in the show," he describes. As a solo musician, Dakota makes his self-reliance appear effortless in a live setting.

However, Dakota doesn't seem nervous or out of place there as other new talents can appear. "You have an advantage," he comments, and his presence demonstrates that.

As for his methods, pesce vegetarian Dakota insists that success for creative people involves a lot of alone time, and others who can understand that. The stability of his relationship and his supportive family are certainly reflected in Dakota's on-stage confidence and determination.

Driven to success, Dakota's own underground and unconventional marketing practices have attracted some inquisitive attention--local pedestrians often wonder about 'Dakota Jay?' written here and there. This generates discussion, and any intelligent indie label should be listening.