“I started writing as soon as I could fumble through a couple chords,” says Lompoc, California based guitarist Jacob Edward Cole, who will be performing at Johnny B’s in Medford on Thur., July 13. “Nothing great but I’ve always loved it.”

That youthful exploration of sound still shows in the tender and diaphanous music he creates, a blend of old-school dream pop and modern sybaritic folk-rock that could be described as Twin Peaks meets rock and roll. His distinctive style takes a great deal of influence from Twin Peaks’ creator David Lynch’s 2011 album “Crazy Clown Time,” in aesthetics and cadence. It’s just the sort of thing you’d expect from someone still fascinated with every new sound they manage to eek out of their instrument.

“I’d say in a lot of ways I’m still just that 12- or 13-year-old kid, just trying to communicate the things I have a hard time getting out and make sense of the things that never seem to add up,” says Cole. “Life experience definitely plays a part, you have to have heart ripped out and stomped on a few times to really know how to write about loss effectively, as an example. Otherwise your music can feel hollow, unless of course that’s what you’re going for.”

Cole’s humility probably has to do with the fact that he’s only been touring and releasing music under his own name for a few years, but if he continues to build upon this strong foundation, there is a bright future ahead for his endeavors.

One of the most alluring aspects of his music is the primordial essence that he channels from the world around him. Making music with a plump heart and intimacy isn’t something that can be compressed down into a formula, but in order to do so one must be wholly connected with their environment.

“You can take an idea from something as simple as a passing comment someone made to a stranger,” suggests Cole. “The sounds of people running past their lives. Where I’m currently living, in Lompoc California, there is an old Spanish Mission—I love going on long solitary walks there and just meditating on everything or letting my mind go blank. I think without realizing it, by just being outside you take in so much information and it always affects your creative side.”

“I enjoy minimalism and the effect of space in music and melody, I don’t always do those well but I try to employ those ideas when I can,” says Cole. “I’m a big fan of David Lynch and Kurt Vonnegut. I like the rhythm they use in their respected fields. I like looking to things outside of music for influence. A lot of times I feel like I’m writing the same song over and over again, getting a little closer to the feelings I’m trying to get across. If I’m lucky, maybe someday I’ll get it right.”

Jacob Cole w/ Matt Pless

8:30 pm., Thur July 13th

Johnny B’s, 120 E 6th St Medford, OR

$5