jakehinze* is stepping into a new era — and it’s only getting louder

We caught the band live at The Rebel Lounge on March 18, and from the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear this wasn’t just another local opener. This was a band that knows exactly how to command a room — even if you’ve never heard a single song before.

And honestly, that might be the best way to describe a jakehinze* show: you don’t need to know the music to feel it.

a sound that refuses to sit still

Originally starting as Jake Hinze’s solo project, jakehinze* has evolved into something much bigger — a full band rooted in experimentation, collaboration, and a refusal to stay in one lane.

“We're still trying to figure that out,” Jake shares. “It started as ‘everything in my head in sonic form,’ but now it’s turned into this dream pop alt rock band where everyone’s influences are shaping the sound.”

That evolution is especially present as they work toward their debut album, Change of Pace, set to release early this summer. The project pulls from everywhere — yacht rock, punk, ‘80s pop, synth-driven textures — creating a sound that feels unpredictable in the best way.

It’s genre-blurring without feeling forced — something that feels increasingly rare.

built in phoenix, shaped by community

There’s a certain pride that comes through when the band talks about Phoenix — and it makes sense.
Growing up in the city and now playing venues they once attended as fans, there’s a full-circle energy behind what they’re doing.

“Phoenix is so musically diverse,” Jake says. “There’s a lot of bands trying new things… and it doesn’t feel competitive. Everyone’s just making music for the love of it.”

That spirit shows up in their sound — and even more in their live performance.

There’s a looseness to it, a willingness to experiment without overthinking, that feels directly tied to the scene they came up in. Nothing about it feels overly polished or calculated — it’s instinctual, collaborative, and constantly evolving. You can feel that sense of community in the room, too — not just from the band, but from the crowd that shows up ready to be part of it.

It’s the kind of environment that allows a band like jakehinze* to exist without needing to fit into a single lane — and instead build something that feels entirely their own.

a live show that pulls you in

Some bands play a set. jakehinze* builds an experience.

From the moment they step on stage, there’s a constant sense of movement — not just in the music, but in how they carry the room. The energy never dips, and neither does the connection. Even if you walked in without knowing a single song, it wouldn’t matter — you’re pulled in almost instantly.

Part of that comes from how fluid everything feels. The band leans into live experimentation, weaving in interludes and shifting arrangements in a way that keeps the set feeling dynamic and unpredictable. It reflects what Jake shared about their songwriting process — nothing is ever fixed too early, and that same mindset carries into how the music translates live.

There’s also a real sense of trust between the band and the audience. It doesn’t feel overly rehearsed or rigid — it feels lived-in, like everyone is part of the moment as it’s happening. That looseness, that willingness to let things evolve in real time, is what makes the set so engaging from start to finish.

And then there’s Jake himself.

Confident, magnetic, and completely in control of the room, he has that rare ability to command attention without ever feeling overbearing. It’s natural, effortless — the kind of presence that makes you believe in what you’re watching. He knows how to work a crowd, but more importantly, he knows how to make them feel like they’re part of something.

It’s the kind of performance that sticks with you — not because of one specific moment, but because of how consistently strong it is the entire way through.

By the end of the set, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a band finding their footing — it’s a band stepping confidently into what’s next.

momentum that’s only building

While the band describes their growth as a steady build rather than one defining moment, it’s clear they’re stepping into something bigger.

There’s a quiet confidence in the way they talk about what’s next — and an even louder one in how they perform. It doesn’t feel like they’re trying to prove anything anymore. It feels like they already know what they’re capable of, and now it’s just a matter of time before more people catch on.

With their debut album Change of Pace slated for early summer, jakehinze* is entering a new era that feels more expansive, more intentional, and more fully realized than anything they’ve released before. The way they describe the project — pulling from everything from yacht rock to punk to ‘80s pop and synth-driven sounds — hints at a band that’s not interested in playing it safe.

And if their live show is any indication, that risk is going to pay off.

They’re already building momentum show by show, drawing in crowds that feel genuinely invested — not just watching, but engaging, moving, and coming back. There’s a sense that this isn’t just local buzz, but the early stages of something that could reach far beyond Phoenix.

Bands like this don’t stay under the radar for long.

jakehinze* feels like the kind of project you discover early — the one you remember seeing in a smaller room before everything starts to scale. The kind you keep coming back to because you can feel the growth happening in real time.

And if there’s one moment that captures that energy live, it’s “Pardon Me” — a track that, as the band put it, “goes so hard” — and it truly does. It’s the kind of song that instantly shifts the room, pulling everyone in and reminding you exactly why this band is one to watch.

And right now, they’re right at that turning point.

don’t miss this

If you get the chance to see jakehinze* live, take it.

Whether you know the songs or not, it won’t matter. You’ll leave impressed — and probably already planning to see them again.

Photography + coverage by Everyday Jams.