Heartbreak City to Hotel Ziggy: Inside the Rise of Jake Cornell

Heartbreak City to Hotel Ziggy: Inside the Rise of Jake Cornell

There’s a raw, unfiltered honesty that follows Jake Cornell wherever he goes, and at Hotel Ziggy for We Found New Music, that vulnerability felt electric. Fresh off the release of his heartbreak‑soaked EP Heartbreak City, the Los Angeles‑based singer‑songwriter arrived with new stories, new wounds, and even a brand‑new unreleased track he was brave enough to debut live for the very first time.

Cornell’s music lives in the space between confession and catharsis — the kind of songs that say what people feel but rarely speak out loud. In conversation, he’s just as open, tracing the emotional arc of breakups, self‑discovery, and the unexpected ways a city can shape you. From viral success to independence, from heartbreak to healing, Jake Cornell is carving out a lane that’s entirely his own.

We’re here with Jake Cornell. First of all, where are you based, and what is your local music scene like?
I’m based out of Los Angeles, and I’d say it’s a pretty small music scene. Everyone kind of knows everyone, and I feel like there isn’t a single musician I meet who doesn’t know somebody that I know.

What are you looking forward to the most about your We Found New Music show tonight?
Honestly, I’m playing an unreleased song that I’ve never performed live before. I literally wrote it a couple of weeks ago, and I figured—why not play it for the first time in front of a crowd? I’m really excited for that one. I think it’s gonna be a fun moment.

What’s the name of the unreleased song, and what inspired it?
It’s called “Warm.” I wrote it about my ex‑girlfriend. I’m just now going through that breakup, and at the time I really wanted her back. The song is basically about her being the oxygen I need—like I can’t live without her. It’s me saying, give me some of your love while my body’s still warm, before everything goes cold.

You have an EP out called Heartbreak City. What’s the story or concept behind the EP and the title track?
The song Heartbreak City is literally the story of my previous ex and me moving out here from Colorado—packing up my car, driving to LA, starting a new life. Fast‑forward a couple years, and we’re breaking up in that same car.

It’s about how LA was supposed to be my city, but after the breakup, it didn’t feel like that anymore. She lives here too, we share friends… it just didn’t feel like my town in the same way.

The EP follows a similar storyline. It’s basically everything from when my ex and I were starting to fall apart all the way to when I met my new girlfriend. I was writing songs throughout that whole period, and they naturally fit together as a project.

“Love Me Like You Mean It” — tell me about that one.
That one’s about feeling like I was giving more than I was getting. The relationship didn’t feel balanced. I was willing to do whatever it took to make it work, and I didn’t feel that same energy back. So the song is me asking, love me like you actually mean it—give me what I’m giving you.

“Half Alive.”
I wrote Half Alive right after my previous ex and I broke up. I thought breaking up was the right decision—and I still think that—but I didn’t realize how hard it would hit me. You think you’re going to be fine, and then suddenly you’re not. Even though I wanted the breakup, it still destroyed me. That’s what the song is about.

“If You Have to Lie” — what’s the story there?
I made that one with my previous girlfriend. It’s about how I’d been lied to and cheated on in the past—just been through the wringer. It was me asking her not to do the same things to me. Like, if you have to lie, then lie with me—don’t lie to me. It’s a play on words, but it’s really just me asking not to be treated the way I had been before.

You’re going to need a good relationship eventually—then we’ll see what the happy songs sound like.
Yeah, I’ve definitely got some in the chamber. I actually have some happy songs, but then my ex and I broke up, so now I’m like… I don’t know if I’m still gonna release them. But it’s still a chapter of my life, so I probably will. It’ll definitely be interesting when I’m finally able to write some happy songs again. Right now I’m all about the sad stuff.

“Forgive and Forget” has nearly 10 million plays on Spotify. What does a number like that mean to you?
It means a lot—especially for that song. Earlier in my career, I was writing songs based on what I thought sounded good, not necessarily personal experiences. Forgive and Forget was the first time I wrote something deeply personal. I remember thinking, I don’t even know if I should release this—it’s too personal, and no one’s going to relate.

And then that’s the one that blew up. It changed the way I see music. It made me realize that authenticity shows through. You can’t just make up stories—it has to come from a real place.

What do you hope a listener gets out of hearing your music for the first time?
I hope they realize they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through. Some of my favorite songs are the ones that say exactly what I’ve been feeling but haven’t been able to express. If someone hears my music and feels that way, that’s everything.

What do you hope the rest of 2026 brings for you?
More shows. More music. I recently became independent, so I’m hoping to release a lot of music on my own and keep performing. I’ve got merch rolling out soon, which I’m excited about. Mostly, I just want to lock in and solidify myself as a real artist—someone people can look at and say, he’s legit.

How has TikTok and social media helped—or maybe hindered—you?
I think it’s helped a lot. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without it. Right now, TikTok feels like it’s in a lull—people seem tired of musicians promoting their songs. So I’ve taken that time to really focus on making the best music I can.

But overall, TikTok changed the game. It made it easier than ever for artists to do big things. It opened a door I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Do you have any messages for your fans who’ve been following you on TikTok and Instagram?
Follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I’m just a guy from small‑town Texas trying to make my dreams come true, and I truly believe anyone can do that. Anyone can be a singer. Anyone can do whatever they want as long as they never give up. That’s my message.

Last question — have you ever considered acting?
I actually just recently started getting back into acting. Before music, I was an actor—I did it from seventh grade through sophomore year of high school. Then I found music and stepped away from it. But now I’m getting back into it. My ex‑girlfriend was an actress, so I got to see what that world looks like out here. And yeah, I’ve been diving into it more for sure.

In Conclusion

As the lights dimmed at Hotel Ziggy, it was clear that Jake Cornell is stepping into a new chapter — one defined not just by heartbreak, but by honesty, growth, and a willingness to let people see the real him. Whether he’s debuting a brand‑new song written only weeks ago or revisiting the moments that shaped Heartbreak City, Jake carries a rare openness that turns personal stories into universal ones.

With more music on the way, a renewed sense of independence, and even a return to acting on the horizon, Cornell is proving that reinvention isn’t just possible — it’s part of the journey. If tonight was any indication, he’s only getting started, and the fans who’ve followed him from TikTok to the stage are witnessing an artist coming fully into his own.

(Interview by Ken Morton – Photos by Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)

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