Raw emotion and vivid imagery pepper the songs of Jake Down and the Midwest Mess. With a sound that floats from traditional folk, to punk, to rock and roll and beyond, the listener always comes out the other side with a sense of Down’s sincerity. A lifelong music enthusiast, Down picked up the acoustic guitar for the first time in 2009 and immediately began writing, and just five years later, has delivered songs far beyond his years. Down began playing with a backing band in 2013, and now appears with them at many shows in addition to his frequent solo shows. The band consists of Down on Vocals, Acoustic Guitar and Harmonica, Rusty Vining on Electric Guitar, Charles Bleisch on Violin and Electric Guitar, Matt Pickel on Bass, and Chris McClurken on Drums. After signing to The Great Lakes Collective in 2013, the band released their first EP, “Shipwreck” on 9/03/13, and received much local attention, including a nomination for a WYCE “Jammy” award for “Best Americana Album of the Year.” 2014 saw the release of their follow up EP and 7” vinyl, “Ghost-Ship,” as well as a solo tour through 5 Midwest states. Down is constantly writing and already has several songs prepared for what will eventually be the first full-length album for the band, tentatively slated 2015 / 16. Jake Down for solo shows Jake Down & The Midwest Mess for Full Band shows Click on the "Music" tab for the latest singles >