Local artist Jake Hanchey learned how to play the guitar because of his cousin in high school and it kickstarted an 11-year journey in music. Hanchey played his last Moscow show on May 23 at Bucer’s Coffeehouse Pub.
How long have you been playing guitar?
I was never really a music guy until I started learning the guitar like my senior year in high school. I was more in sports, back then. I’m just turning 30 so about 11 years.
What got you into playing guitar?
My whole family is extremely musically, inclined or talented. My brother plays multiple instruments, my dad’s great singer—he plays the guitar. My cousin, David, he’s a great drummer, guitarist. And I was never interested in that ever I was just interested in playing basketball. But I really looked up to my cousin and he played the guitar and the drums, and I really want to be like him. So, I was like, maybe I’ll learn the guitar.
Could you tell me a little bit about what it’s like to play your last one and then like leaving Moscow?
I think I played most venues around town. It’s been great, it’s been a whole lot of fun. My favorite place to play in town is probably Humble Burger. I got good lighting great acoustics, it’s a lot of fun. I kind of like the tighter, more intimate of a setting for a gig.
As far as, It being my last show here yeah it’s a little bittersweet I think because I honestly wasn’t planning on leaving Moscow my plan originally was to stay here for at least another year … I have two gigs up in Coeur d’ Alene that I might end up canceling. And, you know, just around here I probably, you know, three, three times a month was the plan for the summer so little bittersweet. And, yeah, this kind of opportunity came up cat got ahold of me, and I didn’t know if I wanted to do it because I just decided to move down to Boise, and I tried to figure all that out still but I figured I might as well get one more and while I can.
Could you tell me a little bit about the music you play?
It’s a mix between reggae folk-blues, hip hop influence. It’s not really folky or bluesy but I mean it’s kind of where you can put it in, it’s not really reggae either. It’s more like, I think what they call California reggae which is its own thing.
What would you say are the top three artist influences you have?
When I first started learning how to play the guitar, I learned from Jack Johnson songs. So, he’s a big influence on my sound, the band Slightly Stupid is a big influence, and probably The Dirty Heads are another big band that influenced me.
Kali Nelson can be reached at [email protected].