If love is like water, then Jarvis Jacob’s latest album Rhythm & Romance, is an ice-cold, invigorating glass you need to quench your love-thirst. With nine songs filled with cathartic confessions, Jacob’s soulful, sultry voice, paired with smooth, seductive beats, might inspire you to finally work up the nerve to send that text—if you know what I mean.
The album is a collection of Jacob’s eclectic and bold songwriting seamlessly blended with honest, uplifting melodies. At the end of the track ‘Yellow Sundress (Intro)’ Jacob affirms, “say what you mean, say what you feel.” It perfectly sums up his candid artistic approach to this intimate body of work and successfully captures both the essence of romance and its complexity. I highly recommend Rhythm & Romance for your next date night as it will undeniably set the mood.
Sam Pav: You’re a Lake Charles native. How does your upbringing and surroundings influence your music?
Jarvis Jacob: Everything about where I’m from influences the music. Most of the music around here is traditional Creole and Zydeco. I take inspiration from local influences like Keith Frank, J Paul Jr., and The Ardoin Family, and then make it into my own style of music I enjoy–which is R&B. I grew up singing in church, so I’m heavily influenced by traditional gospel singers like Harvey Watkins Jr., Lee Williams, John P. Kee, Fred Hammond, and Kirk Franklin. You can almost feel the pain in those singers’ voices.
Sam Pav: What was the timeline leading up this album and how did it come about?
Jarvis Jacob: Rhythm & Romance was produced by my friend Lee Urquhart who I met in college. Lee moved back to Lake Charles in November 2023 and called me. We started recording in November and finished the album by February. Lee was the first person I ever recorded music with, so returning to that original sound was important to me. Sometimes, when you go into the studio and collaborate with someone, you click like yin and yang. Lee has always been someone I work well with.
Sam Pav: Can you share some of the stories or inspirations behind your songs?
Jarvis Jacob: Generally, I pull stories from everyone around me. I have a lot of friends who are married, and its hard work being in a relationship. You’re constantly dealing with not only your issues, situations and trauma, but someone else’s. There’s a lyric from the song ‘Love Works,’ that says, “We’re fighting over rebounds but we’re on the same team.” I grew up playing basketball and my dad would be yelling from the sidelines ‘Y’all on the same team fighting for rebounds! That doesn’t make sense!’
It’s true, when we’re in a relationship with someone, we are both trying to achieve the same goal, we shouldn’t be fighting over rebounds. I’ll get the rebound and you head down the court.
Sam Pav: Your songs depict various experiences of love. Do you believe romance is still alive today?
Jarvis Jacob: Very much so. Especially right now, I believe it’s important that we highlight the good times in romance because it’s still alive and well. With social media the entire world is in your hands so it’s easy to look at someone else’s life and think ‘I would love to have that! What am I doing working every day when I should be in Dubai or on a private jet?’ But that’s not real life for everyone, and even the people who post those experiences aren’t showing you the hard times they’re having in their lives, romances or relationships. I believe romance is very much alive, and that’s why I still make R&B music.
Sam Pav: Do you have any live shows coming up in Lake Charles?
Jarvis Jacob: I have three upcoming shows in Lake Charles. Jarvis Jacob & The Gents are performing at Panorama on Saturday, August 10, at Ray’s Lounge on Friday, August 16, and at the Burton Coliseum on Saturday, August 31. We also have upcoming shows in Lafayette and Houston, but our next tour kicks off at the end of September. I’m still finalizing some dates and venues. The best way to get more info is to visit my website jarvisjacob.com
Sam Pav: Where can we find your music?
Jarvis Jacob: Rhythm & Romance is on all streaming platforms: Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, etc.
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