By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/27/25 – Bright-eyed, humble, and endlessly talented, Jake and Shelby are the kind of musical duo that remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the Nashville natives this morning alongside my colleague Judy Shields, and the energy they brought to the conversation was just as vibrant as the harmonies they’re known for.
Click below for our exclusive interview:
“We wanted something simple,” Jake explained when I asked about the origin of their name. And so, Jake and Shelby was born—unpretentious, heartfelt, and genuine, just like their sound.
Currently stationed in Laguna Beach, the pair are gearing up for their performance tonight at the Peregrine Ballroom in downtown L.A., marking a return to the city they love. “We’ve played the Peppermint Club before, but this will be our first time at the Peregrine,” Jake said. “We love coming back to L.A.—seeing friends and playing here is always fun.”
Their latest single, Loophole, is a raw, introspective look at healing from heartbreak. Inspired by Gracie Abrams’ lyrical honesty, Shelby described the song as a surprising realization: “It’s about expecting problems in a new relationship after a bad breakup—only to find there’s no loophole, because everything’s perfect.”
Music is in their bones. Shelby has been singing as long as she can remember, and Jake picked up his first guitar at thirteen. Growing up in Nashville, they were immersed in the rhythms of Music City—an experience they say naturally shaped their sound, even when they weren’t aware of it.
Their tour schedule is packed, with nine more shows ahead, starting in Phoenix tomorrow. That means missing this year’s CMA Fest, but their energy hasn’t slowed down. They’re also no strangers to the intimate songwriter’s rounds, especially at beachside festivals like those in Panama City, though Shelby admits they’re due for one in Nashville again.
Of course, I had to ask about the moments that pushed them into music. For Jake, it was watching blues-rocker Johnny Lang on stage, an electrifying experience that lit his passion for guitar. For Shelby, hearing Taylor Swift on the radio sparked her songwriting dreams—a passion she pursued relentlessly from age eight.
Off-stage, Jake and Shelby are refreshingly real. “We focus on making fun, true-to-us content,” Shelby shared about their social media presence. “If we enjoy it, others will too.” That authenticity resonates deeply with fans, like the one in Salt Lake City who asked them to sign her guitar outside the venue. “It was spontaneous and sweet,” Jake recalled.
The duo also makes a point to connect personally with fans. “We hang out at the merch booth after shows,” Shelby said. “It’s our favorite part.” And yes, the butterflies still show up before each performance but playing night after night has made the stage feel more like home.
You can follow their journey on Instagram and TikTok at @jakeandshelbyofficial, or explore more music on YouTube and their website jakeandshelby.com.
Tonight, as the lights go up at the Teregram Ballroom, Jake and Shelby will bring a bit of Nashville soul to the heart of Los Angeles. If their heartfelt lyrics and magnetic energy during our interview are any indication, this show is not one to miss.
