Spotlight on Marvest will introduce you to the talented music makers in Ottawa performing FREE! shows as part of the Marvest offshoot of CityFolk.
Jad
Saturday Sept 16, 2017 – 2:00 PM – Aroma Espresso Bar (200 Marché Way)
Saturday Sept 16, 2017 – 3:00 PM – Irene’s Pub (885 Bank St)
What was your reaction to the news you’d be a part of Marvest and who was the first person you told?
Surprised, mostly because I couldn’t remember whether or not I’d applied for it, but regardless I was overjoyed to receive the offer. I’m pretty sure my producer is the first person I told!
Please describe your sound.
Nouveau Elliott Smith conversing with various other artists of differing styles over whiskey. Sad Fun™.
How did you get started on your musical journey?
It goes back about 19 years, more or less. It’s somewhat adorable to the point of sickness. My mother first discovered I could sing when I began singing along to The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” when I was 3 or 4. Since then, singing has always been something I’ve done daily. My dad would sit down and show me a bunch of different music as a child, which really opened up my palette. I took music lessons for a short while at the age of 8 or 9. It really got serious when I started studying music a little before attending high school where I studied music more intensively — I went to Canterbury — and then in university. So, really, it’s just always been a part of my life.
What can music fans expect from your show? Will you be playing or releasing any new music?
A lot of people who know me know that I can belt and really just give at it vocally, but the music I’ll be performing is the most personal and emotional I’ve written to date. That is to say it will be about communicating emotionally to the audience, and not just showing off what I can do with my voice. It’s music that I hope lures people in and speaks to them from a place of vulnerability. Soft, quaint, passionate, and when needed, loud.
I just released an album, Still Life, on July 15th and wrapped up a small tour in support of the album, so I will be playing those songs and will have copies available at the shows, along with some other march.
What artists are you hoping to catch during this year’s Cityfolk and Marvest?
I’m pretty stoked to see my pals in Potential Red at The Clocktower at 9pm on Saturday, and my good friends The Wilderness are playing at The Ravenlaw stage on the 14th from 6-7. I can’t wait to see them. As far as bigger names go, Broken Social Scene, Royal Canoe, Bahamas, Tank and The Bangas, Matt Mays, Post Malone, and Jack Johnson are all cool names I’d like to see, if I can manage to catch them all. I’m excited that Danielle Allard will be playing the festival as well — her and I played a really great show together almost a year ago, now. Lastly, I’m definitely holding out for Father John Misty. He’s an incredible, versatile, and intelligent musician. Definitely excited to see him again.