Leonie Jakobi Talks New Single, Her Voice And More

 Leonie Jakobi is already making an impact after just one independent EP release, with 6 Music, BBC Introducing and Planet Rock airplay as well as at Liverpool’s hallowed Anfield. Her new single ‘I Deserve To Shine’ is out now and she kindly told us all about the song:

What is your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory is watching my dad play a gig with his cover band in my hometown. That was the first time I thought “One day, I want to be on a stage like that!”. The songs they played are now the ones that inspire me the most.

When did you begin songwriting?

I had my first band when I was about 12 or 13 years old. We started by playing cover songs. When I was about 14, I started writing songs on my piano, but the songs always turned out be really slow ballads. I wanted to play rock music, so I picked up my dad’s guitar and started learning some chords.

Your single ‘I Deserve To Shine’ is out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?

The song is about allowing yourself to be happy and to shine as bright as you can without letting anyone dim your light. I learned how triggered a lot of people get by seeing happiness in others, as if it’s something shallow or fake. Although it’s usually the ones who have gone through some pretty heavy stuff, who are able to feel the depth of true happiness.

Where did you record the new single and who produced it?

I recorded I Deserve to Shine at The Cabin Studio in Liverpool with Alec Brits. He’s a fantastic drummer and producer and I worked on all my singles and my EPs so far with him.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Both Alec and I are very organised and focused when it comes to working on my music, so nothing out of the ordinary happened. But I can say that I couldn’t stop smiling when we first played the song all together and everything just started to make sense for me.

Who accompanied you on the track in terms of musicians?

Alec played the drums, I played rhythm guitars and sang lead vocals and BVs, Tom Wright played lead guitar and bass and all of us did some harmonies together.

Do you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

I’d have to ask the producer for this single, but for the next few songs that are coming out soon we used a tape machine from the 70s and recorded drums and bass completely analogue. That was pretty cool!

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

I Deserve to Shine
Don’t mind me (while I give you up)
Walk to West Berlin

Was it a difficult song to write?

It wasn’t actually. I wanted to sum up what I learned in my 20s and I wanted it to be a fun song to listen to. It feels very light-hearted when you first hear it, but if you want to dig deeper, there are a lot of references to feminist literature I read over the last few years. I have all these thoughts internalised now, so it felt easy to sum them all up in the song.

Do you have any future music releases planned for 2025?

Yes, I’m actually releasing my debut album later this year and I have a few more singles coming out before that!

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope to have made at least one person’s heart feel a little bit lighter and made them feel a little less lonely.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I looove my white Fender Stratocaster with the golden hardware. It’s beautiful, easy to play and feels so natural. Although I’d love to get a Les Paul at some point.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is called Dreieich and it’s just outside of Frankfurt, Germany. The first five words that come to mind are: community, family, history, calm, nature.

How do you look after your voice?

I do Laxvox, where you blow bubbles into a water bottle with a thick straw, I always have Gelo Revoice with me and I do vocal warm-ups before every gig. If I have time, I also try to sing through Joni Mitchell’s album Blue which warms up the whole range. I don’t talk a lot when I’m on tour or I at least try not to talk too loudly.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I mostly read non-fiction, and I would pick “Jennifer Juniper – A Journey Beyond the Muse”. Jennifer Boyd is Pattie Boyd’s (George Harrisons’ ex-wife) younger sister who dated Mick Fleetwood for a long time. I’m obsessed with the music at the time, and I’m fascinated by hearing the stories from the women’s perspective. The women had so much influence on the (mainly male) rockstars at the time and I’d love to tell and accompany those stories with my music.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

My biggest influence is Bruce Springsteen, he’s the best songwriter and entertainer in my opinion. I also love CCR, Fleetwood Mac, Pat Benatar, Suzi Quatro, The Beatles,… Some more current bands I love are Arielle, Dear Robin, Larkin Poe and Brandi Carlile.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

Yes! I’m playing Coast Fest in June and Wokingham Festival in August. I’m currently planning some Germany and UK shows for November.

What makes Leonie Jakobi happy and what makes you unhappy?

What makes me unhappy is staying on the couch scrolling on my phone all day. What makes me happy is community, talking with people who inspire me and a lot of sunshine.