We’ve been thrown into a “Loophole” with Jake & shelby’s new single
Learning to love again after a deep heartbreak is such a shared experience and with Jake & Shelby’s new single “Loophole” they take you through the journey of heartbreak, and finally the feeling of comfort and trust in a new relationship. We caught with Jake & Shelby during their Toronto stop on tour about what it was like to write this song together and what’s next for the duo’s musical journey, and navigating a rise with TikTok.
Photo by Emmy Meleika
What was the writing process like for Loophole? Where did the inspiration come from?
We wrote this song during our first writing sessions in LA. We were talking about relationships and felt really inspired to write a song that was fun and catchy, while still being raw and desperate. I (Shelby) have experienced some unhealthy relationships in my life, and I’ve grown to expect every relationship to be that way because of it. I guess the hope is to slowly let go of doubt and embrace love again. This song is about finding a good relationship, where there is actually no reason to leave. Where there isn’t a loophole no matter how hard you try to find one.
As a duo, how do you typically approach creating music together?
Between the two of us, I (Shelby) lean into the melody and lyrics more while Jake focuses more on the musical/guitar side. We’re both involved in every side of course, but that’s the typical process we have. We like to say I’m a deep feeler and he’s a deep thinker so it balances out well. Jake creates guitar pieces often, and usually we build off of that because of how inspiring they are. I’ll usually come up with the start of the melody and lyrics from there.
Loophole feels incredibly vulnerable—what’s it like to put that kind of honesty into a song and then share it with the world?
It’s so much more fulfilling when we’re able to release something that feels truly authentic and genuine. We feel like that’s a big part of our purpose. It’s a little scary at times, but it’s so worth it to hear people tell us that they felt seen or understood by listening to our songs.
You’ve seen major traction on TikTok lately—how have you been navigating that sudden growth and attention?
We are so grateful for our followers on socials. So many fans are so kind and supportive. We love posting and reaching so many people at once. While we got started with cover songs, we are most excited about sharing our original music. We really love that we are finally on the road performing for audiences in person, meeting fans face to face.
What’s next for you both? Any upcoming projects, shows, or goals you can share?
Loophole is the first of many new songs to come over this year! We’ve put a lot of time into finding a sound that feels right to us, and now that we’ve found it, we’re so ready to share it with the world. One of our goals has always been to do a headline tour.
From writing sessions in LA to going viral on TikTok, Shelby and Jake are proving that authenticity resonates. As they continue to grow their audience online and off, “Loophole” is just the start of what’s shaping up to be a powerful new chapter.
