By Madeline Harris
JakDel is a not-so-little fish in the big ponds of both music and racing, who firmly believes in the growth that is possible only through humility, honesty and hard work.
The “artist alter ego of Jake Pedersen,” JakDel is an Orem native and multitalented powerhouse. His resume is jam-packed with accomplishments: He’s raced for Porsche, shared a stage with Benson Boone, and founded a local music festival, to name a few. He’s dedicated not only to his music, but also the local community that raised and continues to support him. And despite the numerous opportunities he’s been presented with in other fields, music has taken the lead and directs his attention and goals.
Guiding all his choices is a desire to connect with the listener. He strives to create an audio atmosphere that makes space for the listener to have deeply moving experiences, much like the potent ones he felt in his youth. “In my teenage years, I became aware of the emotional and soulful value of music, and I instantly knew that that’s something I wanted to create and share with other people.”
He is thankful for his mom encouraging his guitar lessons from a young age and credits his childhood guitar teacher as a major influence and factor in his decision to pursue music above all else. “He would make me mixtapes with artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, and James Gang.”
These classic rock bands, along with modern R&B artists like Alabama Shakes, inspire JakDel’s tasteful, genre-fusing songwriting. The unparalleled expressiveness of electric blues guitar mingles with his clear vocals to seamlessly and satisfyingly embellish his charming sound.
He excels at musical craftsmanship, and notes the importance of a well-made, high-quality song: “It’s like watching a good movie – there are a million ways to film something, but when a shot is really cinematic, you just know. The same goes for songwriting.” He is interested in “crafting a sound” and is passionate about using music to create evocative experiences.
This passion propelled Pedersen through the years to come, and guided his choices amid life-altering decisions. Turning down an offer to play football at BYU, he opted instead to attend Berklee School of Music.
“There’s something about immersing yourself in a pool of dedicated musicians that is very humbling yet very empowering,” Pedersen notes. That type of environment leaves you only with the option to grow and evolve, and he’s learned to establish a mindset of keeping calm under pressure and views high-stakes situations as a way to discover strengths and weaknesses. When faced with opposition, “you have to look at the results/data and say, ‘yes, I was doing that wrong,’ bite the bullet, and go fix it.”
This way of operating has carried over into the other intense, competitive areas of his life: joining the Porsche Jr. Driving program in 2024, he has raced around the world with the sport’s leading figures. Most notably, he recently clinched a Pro Am victory in the 911 GT3 R (992) at the Michelin 24H race in Dubai. “I think there are some interesting parallels to draw between my experience as a racing driver and music,” he shares. “It comes down to the relationship between effort and results.” He notes that the recipe for success in any area is the combination of honesty, patience and intention.
While his talents have taken him to far and wide places, JakDel’s home, on many levels, is Utah Valley. Wanting to contribute to the local music community that is already so strong and special, he founded the Electric Revival concert, thrown once a year in Orem.
“I’m passionate about planting and nurturing seeds in the Utah music scene. Something that transcends my lifetime, continually feeding people’s appetite for great music.” The idea event facilitates a family-friendly environment where local artists can meet, mingle, and connect with bigger bands. In the past couple years, artists like LANY and Benson Boone have made an appearance. Wanting the Utah music scene to receive the recognition it deserves, JakDel helps make that happen by creating reasons for artists to make connections here.
From racing to football, from Berklee to festivals, he’s covered all the bases. But he’s not done yet: a little birdie told us about the new recording studio/creative getaway JakDel plans to open in the spring. Not only will it be stocked with state-of-the-art equipment and gear, but will also be located in the scenic and one-of-a-kind Provo Canyon. He aims to encourage and circulate talent throughout the valley: “I’m so grateful for all of the passion and authenticity of this place. I want to give artists a reason to come back to Utah. I want more eyes on the community.”
Stay tuned for more to come on the studio, but for the time being, do yourself a favor and check out JakDel’s album from last November, “Living in Color”; anyone who hasn’t heard it is missing out. It’s got everything: bluesy guitar riffs, emotional vulnerability, and a cohesive sound that indicates how remarkably in tune he is with his vision. It’s approachable, smooth, and incredibly dynamic. Feeling sentimental? Listen to “Kill all the Lights.” Going for a run? Check out “Illusions.” The skillfulness it exudes is indisputable, and it’s a testament to the never-ending flow of talent originating from Utah Valley.
JakDel will be headlining a show at Velour Live Music Gallery on Friday, October 17, and you can get tickets now! Be sure to follow JakDel on Instagram for updates and listen to “Illusions,” my current favorite from the album, below!