Jacobs Run: The Evolving Sound of a Timeless Band

From the heart of Melbourne’s ever-thriving music scene, Jacobs Run have long stood apart. Their self-titled 2019 debut was not the work of wide-eyed newcomers but of seasoned musicians crafting songs that felt fully formed, imbued with a keen sense of melody and introspection. Now, with a much-anticipated second album titled The Other Side set for release in 2025, Jacobs Run return as a band with a renewed sense of purpose, sonic ambition, and an eye on legacy.

Comprising Michael Jacobs (lead vocals, guitar), Peter Curigliano (bass, backing vocals), and Fabian Bucci (drums, backing vocals), Jacobs Run formed out of long-standing musical camaraderie. These are players who have walked the well-worn stages of Melbourne’s rock circuit for years, sharpening their craft in various outfits before arriving at the definitive chemistry that fuels Jacobs Run. It is a chemistry built on trust, an unshakable belief in the power of songwriting, and a love of lush, anthemic arrangements.

An Unorthodox Beginning

Jacobs Run did not emerge through the conventional channels of an up-and-coming band. Their formation was as unplanned as it was fortuitous. Before Jacobs Run, Michael Jacobs, Peter Curigliano, and Fabian Bucci had spent years moving in and out of various musical projects. When their previous band dissolved, the trio found themselves in a rehearsal room, contemplating their next step. What began as an informal jam session soon morphed into something far greater.

'We were rehearsing at Wick Studios and we were just playing a few of the songs that I’d written and it caught the ear of the guys here at Wick Studios. They said we should be recording these songs, they’re quite good,' Jacobs recalled in an interview with Australian Musician. Encouraged by this feedback, the band began recording, and as they progressed, Jacobs continued to write new material. Each song seemed to evolve organically, leading to an unexpectedly cohesive collection of tracks that warranted a full album.

What made this process even more unique was that the songs were being written and recorded almost simultaneously. With no backlog of material, Jacobs was writing new songs during the recording process, allowing the music to evolve organically. 

Greg Phillips of Australian Musician observed that it is rare for a band to essentially form within the recording studio, yet Jacobs Run turned that unconventional process into a defining strength. Their songs weren’t merely recorded - they were built in real time, each note capturing the energy of the moment.

A Debut That Announced Their Arrival

The band's first album, a richly textured collection of songs blending Britpop-infused hooks with an unmistakable Australian edge, was a slow-burning success. Songs like Number 5, Better Days, and Sleepwalking found their way to an appreciative audience, earning Jacobs Run airplay not only in Australia but across the United States, particularly in Texas, where a dedicated following emerged. In 2018, the band embarked on a promotional tour, conducting interviews with radio stations and media outlets in California, New Mexico, and New York. They followed up in 2019 with live performances in Austin, Houston, and San Angelo. Their music, reminiscent of the widescreen emotional depth of Snow Patrol and the melodicism of The Church, struck a chord with those seeking sincerity in their rock music.

Unlike many debut albums, which can feel like a hurried collection of youthful aspirations, Jacobs Run’s first offering carried the weight of experience. Victor Stranges of Pop Preservation Society praised the album, noting, 'It’s a yearning for connection that Jacobs Run do so well. Whether you have an audience in a live situation or whether it comes through your car speakers, they are providing the solace you so desperately need.' It was written and recorded in an organic, almost serendipitous manner, the songs growing naturally as the band laid them down at Melbourne’s Wick Studios. That process yielded a record that was both immediate and deeply considered.

The Long Road to Album Two

The journey to their second album was neither rushed nor easy. Jacobs Run had planned to return to the United States for further shows in early 2020, but those plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Life, as it often does, imposed its own timelines. The COVID lockdowns in Australia slowed the band’s momentum but not their creativity. Instead, Jacobs Run used that time to write and demo extensively, building a body of work that would serve as the foundation for what was to come.

The band knew they wanted to expand their sound, to create something even more cinematic and immersive than their debut. Enter legendary Australian producer Mark Opitz AM, whose storied career includes production for INXS, Cold Chisel, Models, and Noiseworks. A connection made through mutual friends led to a partnership that proved transformative. With Opitz at the helm, the band honed their vision, pushing themselves further than ever before.

The Sound of a Grand Ambition

The forthcoming album is unmistakably Jacobs Run, but with a grandeur and depth previously untapped. The band's long-standing love for orchestration - influenced by their Italian heritage and artists like Eros Ramazzotti and Zucchero - is no longer an undercurrent but a defining feature on their new offering. This time, it’s not just layered guitars and swelling choruses; it’s a full-fledged symphonic collaboration.

To bring this vision to life, Jacobs Run enlisted renowned conductor and arranger George Ellis, known for his work with The Church and the Sydney Opera House Symphony. A 32-piece orchestra was recorded at Sydney’s Trackdown Studios, adding an elegant, sweeping dimension to the songs on The Other Side. In addition to the orchestra, the album also features a powerful vocal choir, conducted by esteemed vocal director Susie Ahern. Ahern, known for her extensive work with some of Australia’s most celebrated artists, led a hand-picked ensemble of vocalists to bring an additional layer of depth and emotion to the record. The choir’s soaring harmonies, recorded with precision and care, provide a dramatic counterpoint to the band's signature melodies, enhancing the album’s grand, immersive sound. Where their debut album was shaped in the moment, the new record has been meticulously crafted, every note intentional.

Michael Jacobs has always acknowledged the presence of orchestral elements in the band's music. With The Other Side, Jacobs Run fully embraced the idea, ensuring that the orchestral arrangements played a central role.

A Band Rooted in Brotherhood

While much has changed in the years between albums, the essence of Jacobs Run remains unchanged: three musicians bound by deep respect for one another and a shared understanding of what makes a song resonate. They are a band without ego, where every element serves the song. That ethos extends beyond the core trio to their broader musical family, including Phil Turcio (keys) and Dragan Stanic (guitar), who not only contribute to the live experience but also played on the forthcoming album.

Even as they step into a more elaborate sonic landscape, the foundation remains grounded in emotion. Michael Jacobs writes about longing, about love and loss, about navigating a world that often feels overwhelming. The music is introspective yet expansive, intimate yet anthemic - designed as much for solitary late-night listening as it is for festival stages.

A Visual Identity for a New Chapter

A defining album deserves a defining visual aesthetic, and for Jacobs Run’s forthcoming release, the band turned to an unexpected source: Dan Reed of Dan Reed Network. 'Pete actually met up with Dan when he was travelling in Europe and he is a very sweet and down-to-earth guy – as well as being one of the most talented musicians and artists on the planet,' the band shared. When Curigliano met Reed, they immediately connected over a shared passion for music and creativity. 'We all follow each other on social media and when Michael saw Dan’s post of a painting he had created, he suggested the idea of perhaps Dan doing the cover art/design for the record. Pete and Dan keep in contact so he asked and again, the stars aligned, and Dan agreed to be the creative behind the album art and visual concept. He is amazing and we love the end result,' the band explained. So to the band’s delight, Reed agreed, lending his unique artistic sensibility to shape the visual identity of Jacobs Run’s most ambitious record to date.

Looking Ahead

What began as an unassuming project in a Melbourne studio has grown into something bigger, something that feels inevitable. The weight of experience, the passage of time, and the determination to create something meaningful have all culminated in this moment.

If their debut album was about announcing their arrival, their second effort is about cementing their place. Jacobs Run are not chasing trends or seeking fleeting recognition. They are here to create music that endures, that speaks to people in moments of quiet reflection and in the rush of collective euphoria.

Their time is now.