Album, writing paying off for musician Reeves

By John Benson

It’s been quite a ride for singer-songwriter Jason Reeves.

Not only is his latest album, “The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache [and Other Frightening Tales],” ranked as one of the top folk albums on iTunes, but the Iowa native and Los Angeles resident co-wrote rising pop singer Colbie Caillat's smash single “Bubbly” and radio track “Realize” from her platinum 2007 debut “Coco.”

“I started writing songs and playing guitar about six years ago and moved to California three years ago,” said Reeves, calling from his Los Angeles home. “That’s where, through a producer, I met [Caillat). She was pretty much my first friend out here, and from there we just kept hanging out and writing. It was pretty random and seemed like it was meant to happen or something.”

Reeves said he’s still in shock regarding the trajectory of both careers.

“Yeah, it’s crazy,” Reeves said. “We didn’t expect that to happen, and we didn’t set out with that as our focus. We were just writing songs, and so it’s very strange to me.”

While the spotlight of attention may take some getting used to, Reeves is happy more people have taken notice of “The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache [and Other Frightening Tales],” which is a concept album based around a fleeting relationship he experienced a few years ago.

“All of these songs are real,” Reeves said. “I was writing in some cases very literally about what was going on with me, and at the end I realized if I put them in order, they’d tell the story of what was happening to me, which is kind of weird.”

Inspired by obligatory singer-songwriter icons Bob Dylan and James Taylor, with a hint of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd grandiosity, Reeves said the album begins with the yearning isolation of “Someone Somewhere” and finishes on the reflective “The End.” More so, the album comments on the whirlwind nature of some romances that leave both parties silent and alone with only echoes of the union to keep them company.

A somewhat prolific songwriter, Reeves said he already has enough material in the can to record an album and a half. Also included in his plans is an idea for another concept album down the road. For now he’s concentrating on his live show, which comes for a students-only show April 3 at YSU.

Even though Reeves co-wrote the majority of “Coco” with Caillat, fans shouldn’t expect to hear any of those songs in his upcoming solo set. Reeves goes on to explain he feels a sense of loyalty, as well as a sanctity of their songwriting, that he feels he would be violating by playing that material.

“I like to keep those songs just for her,” Reeves said. “I feel like a couple of those tracks, if I were to play them, I’d have to have her there just because.”

This brings up an interesting dynamic for Reeves, who has high hopes that “The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache [and Other Frightening Tales]” will introduce him to a larger fan base. From the outside looking in, it would appear as though Reeves’ success will forever be judged alongside Caillat’s career. Naturally, the earnest and soft-spoken artist feels differently.

“I don’t even think of it like that,” Reeves said. “I don’t believe in all of this imaginary, whatever, attention, press. It all fades away. I think what both of us are doing is making music that people can feel, I hope. And really, beyond that, I don’t even see anything else.”