Meet Ken Jacobsen | Composer, Producer and Guitarist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Jacobsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ken, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’m not sure I picked it to this day. It might have picked me. I was always a creative spirit. As a kid, they used to call me an original. Even though they tried to make it derogatory, I always took it as a positive.
I grew up in a creative family. My father was a educated sculptor, painter and a pretty good pianist. My mother won a state singing competition as a teenager and always had music around her, she was also a good painter as well. So I got involved with music early on with lessons and so forth. But the rock/metal bug hit me as a teenager and that was it. I loved being in the studio and playing live in bands. Got involved with other bands as well. Metallica being one of them. I took every opportunity to be in a studio where creativity was. After 5 albums, I decided to pursue a conservatoire degree in composition. So now I’m able to combine all these various paths and still loving it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being a musician, producer and composer is always exciting. There is always something new to learn, always room for growth and when my music touches someone it always feels special. Having a background in Heavy Metal and classical music and growing up with jazz and many other forms of music helps me tremendously with diversity. I also have a keen interest in technology as well. That said, make no mistake about it. Being a musician is tough. It is very hard to make a living. But for me, the key is to have multiple outlets. That is why I have a Youtube channel that focuses on the production aspects of music making. I also score music for media (TV, Film & video games), as well as, collaborating with other artists.
One of the challenges for musicians and composers is that the notes played or composed have taken years to master. Yet people only see the moment and don’t realize the time and effort it took to play those notes, therefore, not valuing the time it took to make those notes happen. Many hours of practicing, studying and failing. There is also an equipment component to this. One is expected to produce oneself, not to mention playing the instruments. That requires equipment, education and experience. That is not free. But it is love for music that always drives the engine.
But the key is to not let the negatives outweigh the positives and excitement. Keep the magic alive and don’t let things get to your head. Whether it’s positive or negative.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in Los Angeles, a major creative hub of the world, it is always exciting to show people where music, film and TV is made. LA has a style that is very flashy and it can be a lot of fun to see the billboards and the iconic places they only see on the big screen. LA has beaches, mountains and micro climates. Fun stuff. There is no shortage of restaurants, amusement parks and things to do.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Frans Their Jensen who I have collaborated with on the album covers for most of my albums and logos. He is a fantastically talented illustrator, artist and friend.

Tom Andersen, who was an extra-ordinary sound engineer and mentor. Taught me how a studio works.

My wife, Marybeth Jacobsen, super talented singer and tremendous landscape designer.

Website: http://kenjacobsen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenjacobsenmusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenjacobsen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ken.jacobsen

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kenjacobsenmusic