Having this conversation with Jakke felt like more than just chatting about a new release. It was one of those moments that stays with you—a quiet exchange filled with little reminders about life. If you want to call them life lessons, maybe that’s what they were. The kind that come back again and again, even when we think we’ve already learned them.
One that really stuck with me is the idea that the work on ourselves never really ends. I feel the same—it’s a lifelong thing. We’re always both student and teacher, switching roles without even noticing. Whether it’s in love, friendship, or just trying to make sense of our own patterns—we’re constantly being asked to stay soft, stay curious, and keep showing up. “Love, at its best, is a practice,” Jakke says at one point. “It’s not about avoiding friction, but about being able to return to a space of softness.”
Jakke—real name Jake Goble—grew up on punk and classic rock, later discovering a love for dance music while working behind the scenes at shows in college. He started out in bands, found his voice through indie-pop under the name Enjune, and eventually shifted toward something deeper and more fluid: a sound that brings together emotional honesty, ambient textures, and a desire to explore the sacred spaces between people.
His stunning new track “Without Peace,” feels like a slow exhale. Built on hypnotic rhythms and waves of vulnerability, the song explores what happens when we stop running from discomfort and start meeting it—with presence, with care, with truth. “That session became a release for everything I was feeling,” he told us. “It was a pivotal moment in my journey as an artist and songwriter.”
In our interview, we talk about the art of returning—to ourselves, to others, and to the stories we’re still learning how to tell. We speak about family, emotional honesty, and how songs can sometimes say the thing we haven’t found the words for yet. And maybe never will.
Photo courtesy of the press
Jakke, wow—I love your new release! I totally feel “Without Peace”—and also the message behind it. What was the moment when you knew this track had to be written? (smiles)
Believe it or not, this track was actually the first dance song I ever created—back in 2020. I had the chance to work in a studio in Hollywood with a friend and another writing partner who were interested in making dance music in the vein of RÜFÜS DU SOL and Bob Moses—blending guitars, live synths, and deep, emotive vocals. I had spent years playing in various rock bands, but in college, I fell in love with dance music while working for a local promoter and helping put on shows with all kinds of dance/rock artists. Creating music like this wasn’t something I had planned in advance—it just came together organically after my friend sent me some tracks he was working on and asked if I wanted to lay down some vocals. I was really inspired by what he shared, so I jumped in.
When we met up at the studio and started playing around with sounds—like unique synths, birds chirping and waves crashing—it was this beautiful, eye-opening moment. I realized that making music didn’t have to be a rigid or over-structured process. It could be something fluid, emotional, and expressive. At the time, I was going through some turbulence in a new relationship and trying to navigate some intense emotions. That session became a creative release for everything I was feeling. It was a pivotal moment in my journey as an artist and songwriter.
Funny enough, the original version of the track was much slower and simpler than where it ended up, and the demo vocals were somewhere between decent and subpar, haha. But the original idea came from such a pure and honest place—something I’m really proud of.
The friends I collaborated with ultimately didn’t pursue their music project, and I was able to obtain the rights to the songs we worked on, including “Without Peace.” Over the years, the track evolved a lot, but it still holds the same emotional core it began with.
I also believe that sometimes we shouldn’t avoid difficult things just for the sake of peace—but that reconciliation should still be the goal. Yet sometimes, that’s not easy. What helps you personally return to love when things get hard?
First off, practicing both forgiveness and empathy is essential for reconciliation when there’s conflict in love. In my experience, doing your best to understand someone else’s perspective—without immediately projecting your own emotions—is foundational. I also believe it’s incredibly important for partners to have an awareness of each other’s traumas, as well as the dynamics they each have with their parents/family members. That kind of understanding helps make sense of triggers and why certain things might cause us to feel anxious or distant. Taking time alone to self-reflect, and then intentionally coming together to create a safe, open space to share, is key.
“Love is a practice. When you commit to the journey of personal transformation, there’s always more to uncover and evolve.”
The line “love is a practice” is such a powerful reframe. Do you think we’re all still learning how to sit with discomfort in love instead of trying to escape it?
The idea that love is a practice goes hand-in-hand with the understanding that self-work is never-ending. When you commit to the journey of personal transformation, there’s always more to uncover and evolve. In the context of love, that means continually learning how to sit with our discomforts. For me personally, as I’ve grown older, it’s become easier to receive raw, honest feedback—even when it’s hard to hear. I’ve learned to accept it from a place of unconditional love and compassion, knowing that it’s being offered as an opportunity to learn, grow, and become a better partner and human.
I get the feeling that your lyrics are always very thoughtful and reflective—would you say that also describes your personality? (smiles)
When it comes to writing lyrics, it’s hard for me not to go deep. I’m always looking for words that not only capture my own emotions and experiences but are also written in a way that others can relate to, no matter their background. I love playing with wordplay and ambiguity—creating layers of meaning and mystery through symbolism. A song might have a very specific meaning for me, but I intentionally choose words that can be interpreted in multiple ways, leaving space for others to find their own truth in it.
Do you usually start with lyrics, a melody, or a feeling when writing a song?
Over the years of writing songs and poetry, I’ve come to realize what process works best for me. The quickest way to create something that feels meaningful often starts with building an interesting sound—something unique that catches my ear. Once there’s a musical bed—maybe just one or two chord progressions or sections—I’ll start singing gibberish over it, exploring different melodies, rhythms, and vocal aesthetics.
Sometimes, in the middle of that flow, a word or phrase will slip out that feels really powerful. If it hits me just right, I might even build an entire song around that one word or idea. When we’re in the studio, we record all those improvised takes, then go back through them to “comp” the best parts—essentially piecing together a rough version using our favorite melodic ideas. That composite becomes the guide for writing lyrics.
Once that melodic foundation is in place, the words tend to come effortlessly. My mind slips into a deep flow state where everything starts to click, and I can really play and get creative.
I have to give credit to Sarah Barthel from Phantogram—she originally inspired me with this approach. I heard her talk about singing gibberish on a podcast, and it totally unlocked something for me.
“A song might have a very specific meaning for me, but I leave space for others to find their own truth in it.”
You’ve made a big change from Enjune’s indie-rock sound to the different, more sensual style of Jakke. Was there anything you had to leave behind—creatively or personally—to become this new version of yourself? Was it scary or exciting to try something completely new with your music?
My first solo release came out in early 2019 and was born from a place of melancholy, shaped by the loss of a few people close to me. Writing and performing that material helped me process those emotions, and once I moved through that chapter, I began to realize there was more depth and dimension to what I wanted to express—both lyrically and sonically.
That evolution led me to explore new sounds and themes, and it felt like the right time to release music under a new alias—one that felt more aligned with who I am now, both as an artist and as a person. It was a natural and necessary shift.
Do you think being honest in your music helps you be more honest in real life too?
Absolutely. For many years, music was an outlet for me to say the things that were difficult for me in real life. Nowadays, I am much more of an open book in how I show up in the ways I interact with people.
What kind of music did you grow up listening to?
In my mom’s car: Jock Jamz, Jimmy Buffett, The Lion King soundtrack.
In my dad’s car and his radios at home: classic rock radio.
My first live concert ever was *NSYNC at Arco Arena in Sacramento when I was six.
In middle school, I got into pop and punk rock and started a punk band with my best friends. In high school, we started smoking weed and our tastes evolved into loving bands like Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Muse.
“I write to connect—first with myself, then with others.”
And were your family and friends always supportive of you making music?
Yes, absolutely! Except in high school—my dad really didn’t want me to get a drum set, but I bought a set anyway. He didn’t talk to me for a week after coming home and seeing it, (laughing) —but then he got over it. (smiles)
Looking ahead, what’s the next dream—big or small—that you’re most excited to chase with Jakke?
My next big goal is to learn how to run all my music through Ableton Live when I perform my hybrid live electronic sets. That would give me more control over individual layers of my songs while I’m also singing, playing guitar, e-drums, and DJing. That, and I also want to start a band again—having a few people perform different parts alongside me live. It’s so rewarding and exciting to play live with others. I can’t wait to make it happen soon.
Listen to the full release here: found.ee/without-peace
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