Meet Jacob Gustafson | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Gustafson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always had a natural intuition for music since an age far too young for me to remember. My parents were both smart enough to notice, and gracious enough to help me explore this. That hasn’t changed as I’ve grown. However, I’ve always been a bit lacking in my ability to do basically anything else. For various reasons, I wasn’t necessarily able to adapt to standard schooling and labor, and this also hasn’t changed as I’ve grown. My project TULPA was the natural result of all of this, by a sort of process of elimination. Plus I just really love making music.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started an experimental rock project called TULPA. So far, I’ve made two albums. These were pieced together by recording my guitar amp to my computer, writing as I go along, eventually producing full works. This is easily what I’m most proud of, and what I love doing most in life. I never assumed much about my music sets me apart from others, at least in the sphere of noise rock, industrial, post-punk, etc.. I mainly just put together sounds I’ve heard over the years that I wanted to hear more of. with some cryptic venting in the lyrics for good measure. But, being an inherently niche style of music, it has definitely come across as very unique in the grand scheme of things.
I’ve noticed that a lot of artists in more extreme, abrasive styles of music do what they do as a sort of expression of nihilism, and while I love hearing that stuff, it couldn’t be further from the truth for me. I’m just a very sensory person, and I want to channel the emotional and physical thrill that kind of music can give me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anywhere on South Broadway is amazing to me. I live somewhat outside of Denver, just far enough out that it’s a bit of a hassle to get in, but I still try to go to the Brutal Poodle for karaoke every week. I also love going to TRVE Brewing when I can, sometimes just to enjoy the music they play on the speakers there. I really love the local venues here, especially DIY spots like Seventh Circle. I’m probably not the best person to ask about Denver, not really being from there, but I really feel a connection to it.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been incredible lucky to have such supportive parents. They’ve been willing to drop everything to let me fully pursue my passion in music: giving me the space to record, helping me find lessons & training since childhood, gifting me various gear over the years, and so, so much more. It may not be very authentically “DIY” of me to rely on them so much, but I absolutely could not do this without them. I also really want to thank my bandmates Jud, Allyce, and Gray. I haven’t spent my life in many leading positions, and guiding other people felt so unnatural when I first met them. To a degree, it still does. However, their assurance that the sounds I write are worth playing to an audience, and their patience in doing exactly that, is a level of flattery I can’t even comprehend.
Words can’t do justice how grateful I am for everybody I mentioned.

Website: tulpaproject.bandcamp.com

Instagram: @TULPAband

Twitter: @TULPAproject

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC5snUP-J2C0OFn3cuUNwDw

Other: My latest album: https://open.spotify.com/album/6OxH81M7864gaJZ9JOEHgj?si=VrdRDKAERjisEDl2lVIDmQ https://music.apple.com/gb/album/next/1643377940 https://tidal.com/browse/album/246547077

Image Credits
Jenny Marvin Mohammed Hasanin Taylor Joerger Mary Anne Stephens