Beenleigh chosen for Jake Whittaker's EP launch

One of Logan’s favourite country artists, Jake Whittaker, has chosen Beenleigh for one of the highlights of his musical career to date – to launch his debut EP, In My Blood, live on stage.

Jake, who is based in Stockleigh, will perform for his EP launch on Saturday 9 May at the Beenleigh Tavern to celebrate his project he has spent years in the making.

‘This EP has been a long time coming,’ Jake says.

‘I’ve spent a couple of years writing with different people, trying different ideas and figuring out what feels right. I didn’t want to rush it.’

ABOVE: The cover of Jake Whittaker’s debut EP ‘In My Blood’.

Jake wrote all the tracks on In My Blood, co-writing with producer Jared Adlam, Sarah Buckley, Travis Collins, Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, and James Johnston.

While Silverado In The Sunset is the focus track, Jake says the EP is a release he’d love music fans to listen to in full.

‘This EP is definitely about more than the individual singles and unreleased tracks; these songs show my growth as an artist since my first release Round Here in 2023,’ he says.

Jake made a deliberate decision to take his time building a collection of songs he genuinely believed in and a lot’s happened over that time.

‘I could’ve put a lot more music out in that time, but that wasn’t the point,’ he says.

‘I wanted to build something I actually stand behind and this is growth because I’m backing myself and trusting the process.

‘Over the past 3 years I’ve been releasing music, made top 6 on Australian Idol, top 10 in Toyota Star Maker, won a Countrytown Award and become a dad. That’s lit a fire.

‘It makes me want to work harder and show that if you’re willing to have a proper crack, you can make something of it.’

The release follows a strong run of momentum, with Jake named Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Countrytown Awards and a finalist in the Queensland Music Awards.

He’s also charted on Countrytown’s Hot 50 and been added across ABC Country, iHeart Country Australia, TMFM and Today’s Country 94One.

‘That kind of recognition means a lot,’ he says.

‘It gives you confidence, but it also makes you want to keep lifting the bar.’

The EP will be released digitally on 8 May, before the official launch on 9 May at Beenleigh Tavern with tickets available now.