Jake Xerxes Fussell

Making his VFMF debut, singer/guitarist Jake Xerxes Fussell is an artist, whose inspiration comes from the music he was exposed to in his childhood in the American South. His deep affinity for traditional folk music, particularly Appalachian and Piedmont blues, comes naturally. Raised by a family of folklorists, Jake finds inspiration from the field recordings of forgotten songs made by his late friend and mentor, Art Rosenbaum. His fifth album, When I’m Called is a collection of songs with beautiful, poignant lyrics and melodies, giving a fresh take on a well established musical vernacular.

Jake calls himself a song interpreter. He mines old sources and texts, finding music that speaks to him personally and re-inventing it. Jake goes deep into the songs to conjure up emotions and textures, channelling music and musicians from the distant past. The songs he sings evoke things like memory, perception and loss; wistful, old-time music that speaks to us across boundaries of time and space.

– AM