Jam in the Van

What Jam in the Van does

Jam in the Van (JITV) is a Los Angeles-based, founder-owned music and comedy media company that operates a fleet of customized mobile recording studios (the "Jam Van") used to film intimate live music sessions, comedy sets, and interviews at festivals, venues, and other locations. The company's core product is video content featuring independent and emerging artists performing inside the van, supplemented by stand-up comedy, roast battles, open mic nights, and a growing portfolio of hosted podcasts such as "No Pill Friday" and "Sleeping with Sarah." JITV has filmed hundreds of artists, including Gary Clark Jr., Allen Stone, Marcus King, Nikki Lane, and The Dustbowl Revival, and its session archive spans 2012 to the present, with festival coverage across SXSW, Bonnaroo, Bottle Rock, Newport Folk, Telluride Blues and Brews, and AmericanaFest.

JITV distributes content primarily through its YouTube channel, with secondary distribution on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, and runs a dedicated comedy YouTube channel as well. The company monetizes through a diversified stack: YouTube ad revenue and content licensing, branded merchandise sold via shop.jaminthevan.com, ticketed live shows and residencies (notably at The Mint LA), and direct fan donations supporting new sessions. Sponsorship deals with brands such as Guitar Center, MXL Microphones, Lagunitas Brewing, Turtle Wax, and AXS TV have supplemented revenue and provided in-kind production support. The company is privately held, employs approximately 24 people, and is co-founded by Dave Bell and Jake Cotler, with no external institutional funding disclosed in the available data.

Name

Jam in the Van

Legal name

Jam in the Van

Website

https://jaminthevan.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jam in the Van is a Los Angeles-based music and comedy media company that operates a mobile recording studio to film live artist sessions, stand-up sets, and podcasts, distributing free content via YouTube and streaming platforms and monetizing through merchandise, ticketed live shows, donations, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music & Comedy Media Production

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (512250), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Remote Recording & Online Session Services (MPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Music Production Hardware (Synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, MIDI Controllers) (MPAIAJAE)

Keywords

• Live music content
• Music video production
• Mobile recording studio
• Comedy show production
• Independent artist media

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, apparel, and exclusive JITV products through their online store at shop.jaminthevan.com
2. Live Events and Shows: Revenue from ticketed live music and comedy shows, including JITV Music Shows, JITV Comedy Shows, and special events at venues like The Mint LA
3. Donations and Support: Direct donations from supporters to help fund more band filming sessions and support young creatives at Jam in the Van
4. Content Licensing and Distribution: YouTube ad revenue and streaming platform content monetization through their videos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Jam in the Van operates a mobile recording studio (the 'Jam Van') that travels to music festivals and venues to film live music sessions and comedy performances. The company produces in-vehicle music videos, comedy sets, podcasts (including interview shows such as 'No Pill Friday' and 'Sleeping with Sarah'), and produces ticketed live music shows, comedy shows, and open mic nights, primarily in Los Angeles. Content is distributed globally for free through YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, while merchandise is sold through a dedicated online store at shop.jaminthevan.com.

Product overview

Jam in the Van is a multi-platform music and comedy media company operating a fleet of mobile recording studios (vans) that travel to film live performances. The core offering is the Jam in the Van music session series, supplemented by JITV Podcasts (interview and discussion shows), JITV Comedy Sets (stand-up and roast battle content), and live event productions including music shows, comedy shows, and open mic nights. Supporting content includes Head Stash (staff-curated archives), Cuz's Corner (artist interview series), and Repeat Offender Files (returning artist features). The company monetizes through merchandise sales, live event tickets, and donations. Content is distributed primarily via YouTube, with additional distribution on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JITV Music Shows: Live music show events featuring performances by various artists.
• JITV Comedy Shows
• Jam in the Van Comedy

Products and services

• Jam in the Van Music Sessions In-vehicle music performance videos filmed inside the mobile Jam Van recording studio, featuring emerging and established artists performing original songs and covers. Distributed primarily through YouTube and other digital platforms free to consumers.
• JITV Podcasts Audio podcast content featuring interviews and discussion series with music industry personalities, including hosted shows like 'No Pill Friday' hosted by Audrey Stewart and 'Sleeping with Sarah' hosted by Sarah Albritton. Distributed through Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
• JITV Comedy Sets Stand-up comedy performances filmed in the Jam Van mobile studio or at live events, including roast battle formats (e.g., Cerebral Palsy vs. Obesity, Redneck vs. Middle-eastern) and live band comedy shows featuring comedians such as Mat Edgar and Guillermo Garcia.
• JITV Music Shows In-person ticketed live music events produced and curated by Jam in the Van, including residencies at The Mint in Los Angeles (e.g., the Eric McFadden January residency with individual tickets at $12 advance / $15 door and 5-night passes for $40) and festival appearances at SXSW, Bonnaroo, Bottle Rock, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride Blues and Brews, and AmericanaFest.
• JITV Comedy Shows Live ticketed comedy events featuring stand-up performances, roast battles, and comedy shows with live band accompaniment, held primarily at The Mint LA and other partner venues in Los Angeles. Includes curated comedy lineups and themed events.
• Jam Comedy Open Mic Recurring open mic comedy night hosted by Jam in the Van (e.g., the 'Jam Comedy Open Mic - Los Angeles' and 'JAM Comedy LTNS'), providing a regular platform for emerging comedians to perform and have material filmed for content distribution.
• Jam in the Van Merchandise Store Online merchandise storefront selling branded t-shirts (including black, orange, and arrow designs), apparel, accessories, and exclusive JITV products to consumers globally through shop.jaminthevan.com, with estimated unit pricing in the $20-$40 range.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Turtle WaxminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2018Turtle Wax sponsored the #TurtleWaxJams summer tour, partnering with JITV for cross-promotional content.
• Lagunitas Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2013Lagunitas sponsored JITV events and content, featured in Cuz's Corner episodes and beer-related programming.
• Guitar CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2013Guitar Center partnered with Jam in the Van as mic sponsors for sessions, with JITV filming at Guitar Center locations and special events.
• MXL MicrophonesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2013MXL was described as their 'dearly beloved mic sponsors,' providing recording equipment for Jam Van sessions.
• AXS TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2013AXS TV aired performances from Jam in the Van's Dia de la Heady show, reaching 40 million homes with performances from artists like Ivory Deville and The Record Company.
• The Mint LAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Mint in Los Angeles serves as JITV's home base venue for many shows, residencies, and live events. The venue regularly hosts JITV-curated events and artist appearances.
• Various Music FestivalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJITV covers and films at major festivals including SXSW, Bonnaroo, Bottle Rock, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride Blues and Brews, AmericanaFest, and more, providing festival content and artist sessions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sofar Sounds: Sofar Sounds curates intimate live music performances in unusual venues and films limited sessions for distribution. Comparable on session intimacy, independent-artist targeting, and ticket-based event economics; differs in being global-ticketed-first versus JITV's donations-first model.
• Paste Studio: Paste Magazine produces Paste Studio sessions — filmed live performances of independent artists — distributed via YouTube and embedded in editorial coverage. Comparable on session format, artist base (indie/roots/folk), and integrated editorial-plus-video distribution model.
• COLORS Studios: COLORS produces high-production-value live music session videos in a distinctive minimalist set, distributed widely on YouTube. Comparable on session-video format and artist base; differs in being Berlin-based with a broader global pop/electronic reach and brand-sponsorship-driven revenue.
• KEXP Live Sessions: KEXP records in-studio live performances of mostly independent and emerging artists, distributes them through YouTube and a dedicated live-session channel. Comparable on session format, artist base (indie/rock/roots), and free YouTube distribution; differs in being radio-station-anchored with broader music-discovery operations.
• Mahogany Sessions: Mahogany produces high-quality filmed live music sessions from artists in multiple formats (full band, acoustic, folk). Comparable on session production value, artist base, and YouTube distribution; differs in being UK-based with a stronger folk/acoustic bias.
• NPR Tiny Desk Concert: NPR's Tiny Desk Concert produces intimate, professionally filmed live music sessions distributed via YouTube to a massive audience. Most directly comparable to JITV: same format (live performance in a fixed intimate space), same artist target (independent, indie rock, roots), same distribution channel (YouTube-led), same revenue logic (sponsorships, donations, brand integrations).
• Audiotree Live: Audiotree films and distributes live-in-studio music sessions for independent and emerging artists on YouTube, with a focus on discovery and session-format consistency. Comparable on artist base, session format, distribution channel, and revenue mix (ads + partnerships).

Broad incumbents

• AXS TV Concerts: AXS TV is a cable network that already aired JITV's Dia de la Heady performances and broadcasts live-music and concert content to 40M+ homes. Comparable as a distribution partner and TV-tier live-music distributor; broader than JITV because AXS TV is a general live-entertainment network rather than a single-format session company.
• Vevo: Vevo distributes music performance video content at scale across YouTube and its own apps, monetizing through advertising. Comparable on music-performance video distribution and ad-revenue economics; differs in being a broad music-video platform rather than a single artist-discovery session format.

Emerging players

• First We Feast / Bon Appétit video: First We Feast popularized a recognized filmed-session content format (Hot Ones) showing artists in an intimate, branded environment — a model analogous to JITV's filmed-in-the-Van concept and useful as a comparable for branded-content development around an intimate filmed session. Differs in cuisine/celebrity versus live-music niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/jaminthevan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/JamintheVan
• Facebookfacebook.com/Jaminthevan
• Instagraminstagram.com/jaminthevan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jam-in-the-van

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jam in the Van