Creating folk music that is also incredibly catchy can be a challenge for many artists, but Prague’s Jakub Race-K has managed to buck the trend with his ace new single release, Down In Flames. We featured the track in our recent dive into the underground folk scene, so it only felt right to sit down and have a chat with Jakub to find out more about his musical process.
By Jane Howkins
How has your 2026 been so far? All good I hope?
Yes, I’m keeping busy playing live, either by myself as the Jakub Race-k One Man Band where I do a lot of live looping, or with a duo – which is me and a female singer. I’ve also played some shows with a country-blues band. And, of course, I recorded my new single and keep writing new music.
You’ve just released an amazing new single titled Down In Flames. What can you tell us about the track?
Thank you for the compliment. This song is a personal story about being a dad watching my daughter grow up. It’s about the kind of fear you have where you just wish things go well for your kids, and it’s hard to watch when they struggle sometimes. Then comes a time when they grow up so fast – in the blink of an eye – and you need to help and assist less and less to let them be free. That is hard too, but it makes you feel good when they make it (sorry for being too sentimental haha).
The very first notes of the track began one night – just me with my guitar and looper pedal. I had a simple chord progression playing over and over, and the melody for the verses just popped up, so the ‘core’ was done. Usually, at that point, I just let it sit for a while, come back to it later, and either finish it or never finish it at all. This time I told myself, “Hey come on, finish the song!” I needed a chorus and a bridge, and I thought, “What if I use the same loop and chords for the whole song?” I came up with the idea to simply start singing the chorus on the next chord, and the bridge on the following chord. Because of this, I actually got two ‘new’ chord progressions out of it, and the listeners don’t even realise.
Meanwhile, I started writing the lyrics. I felt like I should write about something I face every day of my life, so this one is truly a true story, written from the heart.
Am I right in thinking it’s your very first single release on Spotify? How has the reception been so far?
Yes, officially the very first track under my own name. There are songs and albums on Spotify that I recorded with other bands as a guitarist and lead singer in the past, but this is a new start under my name. At the moment, 40+ playlists are spinning Down In Flames on Spotify, and I am grateful the curators offered to add it to their playlists. A couple of traditional terrestrial radio stations here in the Czech Republic picked it up and are playing the track live. I’ve received very positive feedback about this song from both my friends and others.
Despite Down In Flames being the first single release on Spotify, you’ve been working in the music industry for many years. Have you been releasing music elsewhere? What else have you been up to music wise?
I started playing live gigs at the age of 16 and never took a break, so that’s 30+ years of rocking! In the beginning, I played mainly in bluegrass bands (yes, bluegrass is popular in Czechia and Europe) – I played guitar, sang lead, and wrote the songs. We released about 9 albums under Czech record companies. I also toured a lot with those bands throughout Europe and with 5 runs in the USA. I even received several national and international awards as a bluegrass guitarist. But at the same time, I’ve always been into more kinds of music – roots, blues, jazz, rockabilly, country, and singer-songwriter stuff. I’ve done all that too – played with a lot of bands, did side projects and collaborations, production work, and touring.
You worked with Nashville producer Steve Walsh on Down In Flames. What was the process like and how did the collaboration come about? Is it something you’d like to do again?
I’ve known Steve Walsh for many years. He worked in Nashville studios with lots of famous artists. One time, the Czech band Druha Trava recorded there, and he later came over to Czechia to perform with his band, which included Viktor Krauss on bass. He kept coming back and started helping Czech bands with production. He kept doing this great work – some bands even received awards for their albums, and you could tell his work was priceless.I always had in mind that I would one day like to do a session with Steve, and Down In Flames was the right time.
I sent him my demo, where I played all the instruments on the track, and he really liked it. We set the date and recorded it basically in one day. He offered to play drums on the track, and I laid all the rest – guitars, bass, and vocals. I kept asking him for suggestions and what to change, but he insisted we pretty much stick to the demo arrangement. That made me proud, though, or rather, it made me feel like my work is moving in the right direction. He had good suggestions here and there and mixed the song brilliantly, and this is how the song ended up. It has a nice, relaxed, natural vibe.
Do you have any more singles planned anytime soon?
Well, I actually recorded two tracks with Steve – Down In Flames and one more song! It’s also an original tune, and it’s already been mixed, mastered, and is ready to see the world. But I’m going to let the current single breathe for a bit, and then I’ll drop the next one in September.
Are there any plans to release an EP or an album in the near future?
I plan to release several more singles and yes, I hope to cut either an EP or a full-length album.
As a looping artist, how do you see the music industry nowadays?
You see, I am used to the days when a physical album – a CD – was essential. Honestly, I am a bit lost in today’s system, where releasing a single, EP, or a full album just means dropping the music on digital platforms. I just feel like it’s hanging out there somewhere in the ether. Before, we used to press a CD, do a CD release gig, and the whole crowd would buy the album right there. Then a new CD tour or a series of shows would follow.
Who/what are your main musical influences and what have you been listening to recently?
My main musical influences are guitar players from all kinds of music – like Tony Rice, Al Di Meola, Joe Pass, Pat Metheny, ,Danny Gatton. But also singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and many, many more. Since I’m back on Spotify now, I plan to go discovering new artists. It’s just amazing how many talented people there are around the globe.
You’ve toured quite extensively in the past. Are there any plans to tour in the UK?
I just returned from a festival in Scotland. It was with an international band – two players from Barcelona (Spain), a Dutch player, and myself on guitar and vocals. We had a great time and the festival would like to have us back again. I hope this will happen soon, and that we can extend it into a full tour in the UK.
Any last words for the fans?
Glad you made it this far through the article, and don’t forget to follow me on Spotify to hear my new single and the upcoming one in September. Follow me on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. Thank you to Jane for the interview and everyone for the support!
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