Jakobs Castle, the solo project of Jakob Nowell, recently embarked on their first-ever tour of Japan, opening for Long Beach Dub Allstars.
With stops in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, fans were treated to a fusion of old-school SoCal reggae and the next wave of alternative skate rock. Known for his unique blend of ska, punk, and indie rock, Jakob Nowell proved his ability to command an international stage, delivering electrifying performances that captivated Japanese audiences.
Jakobs Castle guitarist Zane Vandevort was part of this unforgettable journey and shared an exclusive recap of their experience.
A Life-Changing Journey Begins
As our plane took off from Japan, I looked around at my bandmates— four men forever changed.
A silent understanding passed between us; we weren’t the same people who had landed here just days before. Rewinding to the start of the trip, we stood in the international terminal at LAX, groggy but eager, ready for the adventure ahead. None of us knew what to expect from Japan, but the excitement in our eyes was undeniable.
After enduring one of the longest flights imaginable, we finally touched down in Tokyo, greeted by the Long Beach Dub Allstars and a few Japanese friends who would soon become like family. Exhausted but ready to soak in every moment, we threw our bags into the van and met Yusuke, our tour manager, promoter, and all-around logistics wizard. From booking to tech support to general good vibes, Yusuke was a force of nature.
Determined to make the most of our first night, we set out to explore Tokyo. After struggling to seat a 10-person party at various small restaurants, we split up. Jake, Jordy, Freshie, and I wandered into a sushi spot, doing our best to order despite our limited Japanese. The staff was incredibly kind, and soon, we were devouring a mountain of fresh fish.
Post-dinner, we stopped at a 7-Eleven to pick up some Japanese cigarettes—Jake grabbed a pack with Che Guevara on it, intrigued by the design. We quickly learned a few key cultural rules: no smoking or eating while walking. It seemed odd at first, but by day two, we realized why— it forces you to slow down and take in everything around you. Tokyo is an overwhelming sensory experience, and staying still allows you to absorb its magic fully.
The night continued with bar-hopping, laughter, and moments that blurred into the surreal. We lost track of time, but one thing was clear— we were already falling in love with Japan.
By 9 AM, we dragged ourselves out of bed for lobby call, heading to our first venue: Spotify O-East, just a short walk from the heart of Shibuya. We braced for a challenging soundcheck due to the language barrier, but to our amazement, our monitors were flawless— no adjustments needed. As musicians, we knew how rare that was, and it set the tone for the rest of our trip: everything in Japan just worked seamlessly.
Before the show, we hit the streets to explore, and Jakob was recognized multiple times by fans. It was surreal—Japanese fans embracing our music and culture as much as we admired theirs. By showtime, the venue was packed, complete with a tattoo pop-up in the back. I got a swordfish tattoo from an artist who barely spoke English, but through shared enthusiasm for bass fishing, we connected.
Our first set was a bit shaky— probably from overstimulation— but the crowd was incredible. Initially headlining, we quickly decided that Long Beach Dub Allstars should take the closing slot for the rest of the tour. They had spent years building their fanbase in Japan, and it only felt right.
The Tour Vibes: Eat, Drink, Play, Explore
The next few days became a blur of eating, drinking, performing, and exploring. Tokyo’s energy was unlike anything we’d ever experienced, and Osaka and Nagoya only added to the magic. We forged lifelong bonds with the incredible people who welcomed us with open arms. Saying goodbye was the hardest part.
Japan was everything we hoped for and more—the people, the culture, the food, the music scene. We came as visitors and left as brothers. Huge shoutouts to Yusuke, other Yusuke, Yasu, Kosetsu, Aki, Sumito, SRH Japan, Ball & Chain, and of course, the Dub Allstars.
Till next time. —Zayno
The Future: SVN/BVRNT and New Beginnings
Jakob Nowell recently launched an independent label, SVN/BVRNT, in collaboration with Jakobs Castle guitarist Zane Vandevort.
“Starting SVN/BVRNT with Jakob felt like the natural next step,” Zane shared. “Since 2019, I’ve been organizing DIY shows across SoCal, influenced by my mentor, Kevin Zinger. Seeing what he built in the ‘90s inspired me— we want to bring back that punk rock community and excitement.”
One of the label’s first signings, Ventura-based rock band Strange Case, co-founded by Vandevort and Mikey Netka, is already making waves. Their single ‘27 Club’ debuted on 106.7 KROQ and has surpassed one million streams on Spotify.
