An old soul finding his voice in the blues

At 17, Jake Soberlak of Kamloops, BC, plays the blues like someone three times his age and half a century removed. Inspired by his grandfather’s old records, he sings and plays the guitar, slide guitar, and harmonica. He is also one of the most compelling young blues musicians in Canada.

It started with his grandfather’s collection of old blues albums brought over from England, discovered almost by accident. For Jake, it wasn’t just an introduction to a genre. It was a recognition. “There’s a realness about it that I really enjoy,” he says.

His debut album, recorded at Vancouver's Afterlife Studios, demonstrates his respect for tradition. Producer and drummer Leon Power (City and Colour, Frazey Ford) brought in Darren Parris on bass, Darryl Havers on piano, and engineer John Raham behind the glass. Every track went down live-off-the-floor. Jake’s debut album, I'm In Trouble arrives September 11th, 2026.