Jacob Godbey contacted me, saying, “My name is Jacob, and I’m in a power pop band called Lo Fi Ho Hum.” This succinct introduction mirrors the compactness of their debut album, aptly titled ‘Garage Pop.’ The album features just 7 songs and lasts only 19 minutes. It’s not just short—it’s concise, direct, and wonderfully good.

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You can find ‘Never Been In Love’ showcased on the Best Power Pop of 2024 Spotify Playlist.

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Could you share the journey of bringing this record to life? How did all the pieces come together to create the final product?

Garage Pop came to life under some very negative circumstances, which is unfortunate because I’m constantly trying to buck the “artists have to be tortured to make good songs” trend. Despite my best efforts, these songs wrote themselves through the isolation of living alone and working from home during a pandemic. I also went through a plethora of relationships, some good and some bad. Many of these are chronicled on the lead single, “Never Been In Love,” as well as the final track, “Maybe.”

Basically, I moved across the U.S. to begin a relationship but chose not to stay there and ended up living at my parents’ house. As luck would have it, my father was just putting the finishing touches on a new garage, so I got to record an album in it before it got filled with vehicles.

Was there a particular moment or experience that struck you, signaling that you were onto something special with this project?

A bandmate from a prior project expressed how much he loved some of these songs in their demo form, so when I found myself essentially at “rock bottom” and living in my childhood hometown, I knew pretty quickly what needed to be done for my mental health. My grandpa kicked in some recording equipment, one of my father’s friends let me borrow a guitar amp, and the rest was recorded through pure gumption.

Success can take on different meanings as time goes on. When envisioning success for this new record, what does that picture look like now?

My definition of success has definitely morphed over my life. I used to perform sketch and improv comedy and had my sights set on SNL or movies someday. I also grew up fantasizing about becoming as omnipresent as bands like Good Charlotte and Blink-182. Success to me now is creating sustainability. I’d love to foster a community of creatives who push each other to greatness and can pay their mortgage with those results, if not their car payment as well.

Failing financial success, it would really mean a lot to me to look out into a crowd and see people singing my words back to me. I’ve never had that yet, and I just know I’m going to cry if it ever happens!

Lyrics often carry profound meaning. Are there particular lines you hope listeners will always remember from your songs? If so, what’s the significance?

In the song “Boundaries,” there’s a line at the end that reads:

Now when I see a friend crumbling/ I scream, “You deserve better than that!”

That’s an important one to me because that song is about being emotionally abused in a relationship. I had SO many friends warn me while I was in it, but I really didn’t listen to any of them. So it’s a shout-out to them but also to everyone. Grab your friends by the shoulders and scream “You deserve better than that!”

If there’s a passage I could choose that encapsulates the album’s entire vibe, it would be the following from “Never Been In Love:”

There was one/ wanted me to tie her to my bed/ but I’m such a pacifist/ that I’ve never been in love

Yes, it’s a true story, yes, it is intended to be funny, and yes, it is tongue-in-cheek. If you can’t relate to that, then Lo Fi Ho Hum might not be for you!

While you can’t dictate how people interpret your music, are there specific elements you wish to highlight that set your songs apart?

If I could befriend every single one of our fans, I would. This music is a call to end loneliness and I think it works best if you know something about me, the person writing the songs and singing. That’s what sets our songs apart. They are entirely honest lyrically and musically. I love pop music, but I also love punk and new wave, and I think that shines through.

Where do you see yourself situated within the broader landscape of the music industry? How do you perceive your unique role and contribution?

I wouldn’t say I’ve ever participated in the music industry, but I hope this release changes that. I’ve always been a consumer, but these songs are already gaining me some entirely unexpected recognition amongst peers, so I’d like to continue that!

I really am obsessed with the creative process and I’d love to help other musicians and creatives find their best work. I’ve been lucky to have friends pull greatness out of me, and I’d love to pay it forward!

With this fresh collection of songs, how do you envision connecting with both your existing fanbase and new listeners? Are there specific emotions or messages you hope they’ll resonate with?

I really hope anyone who listens resonates with the themes of reluctant adulthood, male loneliness, but also not settling. In a world where we have so little control over the situations around us, it is important to take care of yourself and those you care for. Hopefully, that is communicated in the lyrics here! And if you come to a Lo Fi Ho Hum show, you will be taken care of. All are welcome and we like to foster a sense of safety not just for the fans, but also for ourselves.