Meet Jacob Shije Of Santa Clara Pueblo & Native Guitars Tour
Today we are shedding light on the musician, Jacob Shije, of Santa Clara Pueblo and member & host of Native Guitars Tour! Native Guitars Tour (NGT) was founded in 2007 to provide performance opportunities for Native American musicians. Their movement has led them to foster and mentor talent and employ artists within the industry. They also incorporate Native-owned business vendors into their events.
NGT has produced concerts and events spanning the United States. Sharing their industry knowledge to educate and empower communities through workshops, presentations, and employing the community of Native musicians is at their organization’s core.
We have had the chance to talk to Jacob and learn details of his background about what really helped him start his musical journey. He began his journey in high school after his best friend insisted they both buy a guitar. After saving up he knew he wanted to purchase a guitar and start taking it more seriously. After learning many Beatles songs and playing in a few bands, and on and off with friends as well as record with other great artists he continued to craft his sound. He played music all over New Mexico, and really developed his style of guitar into what it is now! He has been performing as a solo artist since then! Today, he enjoys working and playing guitar with Native Guitars Tour. He also does photography for friends as well as media and content for friends and social media for NGT.
We were honored to catch up with Jacob for an interview to really understand his musical story and get to know him better! Please view the interview below:
What led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I began taking guitar seriously when I was a sophomore going into my junior year of high school after my best friend said that we should buy guitars. I had a few as a kid but this guitar was the one that actually made me learn because I used my own money to purchase it. After teaching myself from a Beatles guitar book, I started playing with some of my friends in high school and eventually started a band called Stealing Hearts. We continued to play and perform all over New Mexico, but we decided to take a break and then I started the band, Desert Loops, with my friends from college. That band also decided to take a break and then I started to perform as a solo artist. I knew after performing with both bands that I wanted to continue my journey of being an artist. There is a feeling of fulfilment and excitement that I feel when I’m on stage. I like to think that I am my “true self” when I’m not. I’m not thinking about anything or any worries when I’m playing. I try my best to live in the moment and feel the music when I’m on a stage.
What keeps you busy professionally?
Now that venues are opening up, I’ve booked a good number of gigs for Summer 2021. But while I’m at home, I like to work on content for social media such as guitar and vocal covers. I’m also a photographer so I’ve been taking some time to shoot photos of my friends and work on music videos for them. There is a lot of time spent editing videos and photos but I can’t complain because I love seeing the end results.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would have to visit my favorite breakfast burrito spot, Chile Works in Los Alamos, NM. We would also have to check out a show at Launchpad in Albuquerque, NM which is my favorite venue to perform at. But before that we’d have to go record shopping at Guy In The Groove in Santa Fe, NM.
Thanks for sharing that! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d have to give some credit to Jir Anderson who has helped me on my musical journey. We’ve gotten close over the past year from working together with Native Guitars Tour and he’s taught me so much about being an artist. Another would be the Levi Platero Band, Levi Platero, Bronson Begay, Douglas Platero and Royce Platero. I can’t thank them enough for allowing me in the band and performing with them. I’m the oldest out of my siblings but I’m the youngest in the band so I consider them my big brothers and they treat me like it too. It’s been an amazing experience to be a part of this band.
Thank you for sharing that with our viewers!. Lastly, where can we find your work?
You can use the link (linktr.ee/jacobshije) to find all my social media accounts and stream my music on all streaming platforms by searching “Jacob Shije” or on SoundCloud.
https://soundcloud.com/jacobshije
We want to thank Jacob Shije for being a part of our blog and interview questions! We hope you look up his music and check out Native Guitars tour as well!