Nashville-based act Jacob & the Dazey Chain, the project of Jacob Reese Thornton, officially releases the new single “Better Off Lonely” today, March 13, 2026. This guitar-driven track serves as the lead single for an upcoming EP and represents a “melodic but heavy” evolution for the band.
Listen to “Better Off Lonely” here: https://open.spotify.com/album/09oiTq7T6fgcjAGlkB8GfL?si=qaDKgLI0T3CTZar3x3YReg
A Sonic Collision
Jacob Reese Thornton describes the new material as a fusion of pop sensibilities and raw power:
- The Sound: Thornton deliberately chose a guitar-driven direction, pairing pop melodies with big guitars and drums to achieve an authentic feel.
- The Influence: Lyrically, the track draws from the storytelling of Bob Dylan and Lord Huron, focusing on the collision between two people who are misaligned.
- The Pedigree: The project blends Britpop swagger with alternative rock, channeling influences like Oasis, The Strokes, and The Killers.
Major Label Milestone
Earlier this year, Jacob signed with East Iris Records, a division of Universal Music Group. The forthcoming EP was produced by Tone Def (Green Day, Briston Maroney) and recorded at East Iris Studios in Nashville, promising the band’s most explosive work to date.
Proven Momentum
Since 2019, Jacob & the Dazey Chain have transitioned from intimate clubs to major stages:
- Live Prowess: The band has performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival and completed a 2024 tour across the U.S. East Coast and the U.K., including headlining dates in London and Manchester.
- Streaming Success: Their debut album, DON’T LOOK AWAY!, has surpassed 900,000 Spotify streams and appeared on six Apple Music editorial playlists.
- High-Profile Collaborations: Thornton has worked with Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters), Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses), and Clive Deamer (Radiohead).
- Industry Endorsements: Jacob is an ambassador for Magnatone Amplifiers and is endorsed by Taylor Guitars and Ernie Ball.
Q: What first drew you into the world of music?
A: My parents have been burning CDs for me since I was in a crib. My childhood was soundtracked by their music tastes, everything from The Beatles to Fleetwood Mac. Around the time I was nine years old, they bought me an Epiphone and I became totally obsessed. I’d bring it to school and show my friends, well before I knew any chords or anything. I think it helped me find identity at a really young age.
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process when writing or producing music?
A: Most of my songs are born from just strumming an acoustic guitar, waiting for an idea to fall out of the sky. I heard someone once compare it to fishing: as long as you get out on the boat and drop a line in, eventually something will bite. It may sound boring, but when it finally clicks, it’s such a special feeling. Some of my favorite moments of my entire life have been alone at my desk, demoing a new song late at night while the rest of the world is asleep. Creating something meaningful out of thin air is about the closest thing to magic, in my eyes. I’ve been chasing that high since I was 14. I’m always searching for the next song.
Q: Is there a live show that stands out as truly unforgettable for you?
A: Yes! In 2024, I self-booked a small club tour to promote my debut album across the Southeast US and the UK. The final stop was at a tiny rock club in Birmingham, England called Dead Wax Digbeth. By ticket sales, it was the smallest show of the tour—maybe 20 people showed up—but the energy was insane. For the first time, people were singing my lyrics back to me, and that meant more than I can explain. As a newer artist, I usually play support slots, trying to win over someone else’s crowd. But on that tour, especially that night, I had no idea if anyone would actually show up. Knowing they’d traveled, took time out of their lives, and chose to be there, made me push myself to give them everything I had.
Q: Which song do you love performing live the most, and what makes it special?
A: I have a song called “Sketches of You” that I wrote when I was 15, and I still play it at nearly every live show. Even though my sound has changed quite a bit since then, it’s still one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. Growing up in South Florida, I was constantly surrounded by music with a Latin flair, and that influence definitely found its way into this song. When I play it, it reminds me of who I was when I started this journey and why I do any of this in the first place. It’s such a privilege to be singing that song still.
Q: Do you have any upcoming releases, videos, or shows fans should know about?
A: I’ve been releasing music under the moniker “Jacob & the Dazey Chain” since 2021, but the music I’m about to put out is by far my favorite. There’s a new single out March 13 called “Better Off Lonely” that’s taken from my upcoming EP. It’s a bit of a departure from my previous stuff – still melodic, but more guitar driven and 90’s coded. At the time I wrote it, I was listening to a lot of Bob Dylan and Lord Huron, and lyrically it draws from that kind of storytelling. I recorded it at East Iris Studios in Nashville with Tone Def (Green Day, Briston Maroney), and his production really elevated the new songs. I felt like he was the missing piece in making my music sound the way I always heard it in my head. I love working with him. This EP is the record I’ve always wanted to make.
???? Fun & Personality
Q: Are you more of a cat person, dog person, or both?
A: This is an IMPOSSIBLE question. My day job outside of music is actually dogwalking for people around Nashville, so I almost feel obligated to say I prefer dogs… but growing up I spent 24/7 with my cat Jasper (he’s a polydactyl hemingway) and I love him more than anything. So I guess I’d say I’m a cat person?
Q: What’s something that always makes you feel nostalgic?
A: Oh man, so many things. I’m such a sucker for early 2000s nostalgia trips. Driving down US27 when I’m home in Florida instantly brings me back to my childhood. The same goes for shows like Seinfeld or The Office. Or certain songs like “Imitation of Life” by R.E.M. get me in my feels more than I’d like to admit. But I think that’s a good thing sometimes. Looking back reminds me where I’ve been, and I usually come away with a deeper appreciation for life.
Q: What’s your most treasured piece of clothing?
A: When I left home for Nashville, my parents gave me some “in case of emergency” cash to have on hand in case I needed it… I immediately went downtown and spent it on a leather jacket. The rest is history. (Sorry, mom)
Q: If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?
A: Have we figured out what’s the deal with aliens yet?
Q: If you could have any superpower, which one would you pick?
A: Invisibility, easy. I’d never have to pay for another concert again, I’d just walk right in.
LINKS:
https://www.jacobandthedazeychain.com
https://www.instagram.com/jacobandthedazeychain
https://www.facebook.com/jacobandthedazeychain
