Q&A with Jake Gehret from Jake Gehret and the Brokedown Sound

Here is a Q & A with Jake Gehret, lead singer of Jake Gehret and the Brokedown Sound. They will be performing at our ninth annual Night for the Town After Party on Friday, September 16. Get your tickets now before it’s too late! To find out more about Night for the Town, click here.

How did the band come together?

The band was actually formed to perform at the 2009 Mission: St. Louis Night for the Town. We had planned on that being our only show, but here we are, seven years later, still playing together. 

What about St. Louis has kept you here?

I have lived in the Chicago and Nashville metros, and I much prefer St. Louis. It is a city with history, spirit and pride. With a vibrant food and drink community, a growing arts scene, an emerging entrepreneurial sector, an embarrassment of riches in family attractions, and a number of great non-profits working to benefit the city, what's not to love? 

What’s your favorite place in St. Louis to play?

My favorite place we have played is the Old Rock House - an excellent venue with a really talented staff. It is also the site of my wife and I's wedding reception, so it brings back fond memories. 

How would you describe your sound?

We mostly play the Motown and Stax styles of soul - raw emotion, catchy hooks and deep grooves. We want everyone in the room to be able to shake their hips and sing along. 

In most of your pictures, it looks like everyone is playing a wind instrument. What instruments make up the band and why?

We have keys, guitar, bass, drums and two saxophones. We added whatever elements we needed to get that sweet soul sound. 

Who are some of your musical (and nonmusical) influences?

My musical influences are wide and far-reaching, but for the purposes of the Brokedown Sound, we are very influenced by Otis Redding, Al Green, Stevie Wonder and James Brown. 

What do you do aside from just playing music?

We're all regular guys - a salesman, teachers, a business analyst, a butcher - who love playing music together. Our jobs keep us busy, but there has also been a number of new children born to our band members in recent years, which has kept us even busier (and made us happier). 

Not only is Night for the Town a great time to celebrate our impact in the city of St. Louis, the After Party is a time to continue the night and celebrate the people around us. For just $30 in advance or $35 at the door, you will receive three free drinks and access to the Mission Lounge in the Fox Sports Midwest skybox balcony. There will be live music, a photo booth, a beer pong tournament and plenty of prizes! We hope to have another incredible night filled with dancing, socializing and great music. Tickets are quickly selling, so get them here. You won't want to miss it!