Layah Jane

Genre: Folk
Secondary Genre: Soul Toronto, ON, Ontario Canada Contact

Recommended if you'd like to hear Sade go Alt-Country, Joni Mitchell spout Reggae, and Phoebe Snow sing you a lullabye, Folk/Soul songstress Layah Jane speaks courageous and tender to the hungry hearts of poets, activists, and lovers alike.

Artist Information

Biography

“A spine chilling talent…”
- Toronto Star

Speaking courageous and tender to the hungry hearts of poets, activists, and lovers alike, Folk songstress Layah Jane is the shy one with head-turning presence; the tall one with the bright smiling eyes, tangled curls, and dancing hips. She is a velvet-voiced tunesmith of clever, conscientious Canadiana that seeps into the soul.

With a poetic and political conscience from teenage years rocking to Ani Difranco, tender vocal phrasing from pressing walkman earphones spouting Sarah McLachlan into her middle-school ears, and an instinctive understanding of harmony and rhythm from in utero exposure to her parents’ Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Sade, and Kate Bush records, Layah Jane has studied the grand dames of her musical lineage, and has discovered and developed her own spirited voice.

Layah began crafting songs in her early teens, and has bewitched listeners ever since. Don’t be distracted by the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, the Ontario Independent Music Awards for Best Folk and Best Female Artist, the Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Jazz, or the songwriting award for Best Political Song at the Ontario Council of Folk Festival’s conference. Resonance bowls over award plaques, and melody sticks stronger than boastful bios or promises from strangers: You won’t be disappointed. You’ll hum like a bee with Honey...

Honey, the fan-funded third full-length release from Layah Jane, hits stores, digital download sites, and off-the-stage merch tables on February 8, 2011. Producer/guitarist/composer and longtime collaborator Oliver Johnson was at the helm again, guiding a co-creative process that resulted in a collection of songs that feature the tenderness, intelligence, and warmth of Layah’s Folk/Soul. Honey collaborators include Drew Birston on electric and upright bass (Chantal Kreviazuk, Sultans of String, Amanda Martinez), Davide Direnzo on drums and percussion (Holly Cole, Hawksley Workman, Feist), Scott Galloway on keys (Matt York, Nine Mile), and Brian MacMillan on electric guitars and banjitar (Kevin Hearn, Barenaked Ladies), among others.

With 5 recordings released in 7 years on the independent Grace Note Records, (Honey in 2011, Brightness & Bravery in 2008, Patience EP in 2007, and Grievance & Gratitude and Grievance & Gratitude Remixes in 2005), Layah’s prolific and passionate songwriting is carving her the kind of music career that is fruitful and long-haul steady.

The web of self-booked tours that Layah and Oliver embark on criss-cross North America. They add more miles to a little white VW bio diesel-fueled Jetta than the mechanic cares to count, scarf down more almonds and apples than the average touring vegetarian rockstar can stand, and meet many a beaming, cheering audience along the way.

The magical silence that holds potent soft notes together and sets roaring ones apart is Oliver Johnson’s guitar specialty. With R&B rhythm dirty from his years on the road with Canada’s forefront soul and funk players, and melodic intuition from his Jazz college background and 12 bar Blues-tinged childhood, Oliver adeptly plays the range between subtle and raucous, with emotive atmosphere and blistering solo leads. His sensitive and soulful accompaniment is integral to the dynamic of Layah’s live and recorded work. Their onstage chemistry: electric. The product: palpable joy.

Lucky for those in the path of Honey’s sweetness, 2011 will see Layah Jane sing her way from coast to coast yet again.

***
Layah Jane Bio Facts

Award Highlights:
* Ontario Council of Folk Festivals songwriting award Honourable Mention (2009, 2008)
* Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Female Artist (2008) and nomination for Best Song (2008)
* Toronto Independent Music Award nomination Best Folk (2008)
* Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Folk (2007)
* Toronto Independent Music Award nominations for Best Folk, and Best Female Fronted Band (2007)
* Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Jazz (2006) and nomination for Best Live Acoustic Act (2006)
* CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (2005)
* Ontario Council of Folk Festivals’ political song award for “Reverence and Ridicule” (2005)
* American Independent Music Award nomination for Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter (2005)

Festival and Showcase Highlights:
* Canadian Music Week (2010)
* Katchepaw Music Festival (2009)
* Toronto City Roots Festival (2006, 2007, 2008)
* NXNE (2004, 2005, 2008)
* Blue Skies Music Festival (2008)
* Ontario Independent Music Awards (2008)
* Toronto Independent Music Awards (2008)
* Rochester International Jazz Fest (2007)
* New Music West (2006, 2007)
* Winterfolk Festival (2005, 2006)
* Ottawa Folk Festival (2005)

Shared Bill/Shared Stage Highlights:
The Webb Sisters, Jorane, Sarah Harmer, Peter Katz, DALA, Melissa McClelland, Emma-Lee, Tom Wilson, Liam Titcomb, Jason Fowler, Gregory Hoskins, Suzie Vinnick

Licensing Highlights:
* 2 songs licensed to “Addicted to Plastic” (Cryptic Moth, 2008) documentary film by Ian Connacher
* Song licensed to “Be the Change” (Living Lightly, 2008) documentary film by David Chernushenko
* Song licensed to feature film “Shark City” (Stardust Pictures, 2009) directed by Dan Eisen
* Voice of the Dove Real Beauty/Self Esteem Fund’s 2006 “True Colors” International TV Campaign
* Songs licensed by Global TV’s “Blue Murder”, and ESPN’s prime time drama “Tilt”

Instrumentation

Layah Jane - Vocals, keys, Acoustic Guitar
Oliver Johnson - Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, background vocals

Discography

Honey (Grace Note Records, 2011)
Honey Sampler (Grace Note Records, 2010)
Brightness and Bravery (Grace Note Records, 2008)
Patience EP (Grace Note Records, 2007)
Grievance and Gratitude (Grace Note Records, 2005)
Grievance and Gratitude Remixes (Grace Note Records, 2005)
Layah Jane (Grace Note Records, 2001)

Guest Appearances:
Lumens of Light - Jason Fowler (2010)
Shine - Brian MacMillan (2010)
Deportation - LAL (PTR, 2008)
Already Broken - Anthony R. Wilson (2008)
More Nights - Peter Katz (2007)
Like a Ripple - Kim & Jerry Brodey (1996- Juno nominated)

Official Website

http://www.layahjane.com

Links

Audio

Lyrics

Video

Photo Gallery

  • photo by Emma-Lee

  • Photo by Emma-Lee

  • Photo by Emma-Lee

  • Photo by Emma-Lee

  • Rochester International Jazz Fest - photo courtesy of the Democrat and Chronicle

  • Meaford Town Hall - photo by Sue Passmore

  • Photo by Emma-Lee

  • photo by Emma-Lee

  • photo by Emma-Lee

Press

  • Layah Jane's "Honey" sounds sweet [+ Show ]

    Layah Jane’s new CD, Honey could win an award for aptly-named album of the year. With a voice tha...

  • Layah Jane "Honey" [+ Show ]

    "...Delightfully understated collection of songs...Great emotional depth...Its warmth leaves you yea...

  • Sounds of the Season ~ Spring 2009 [+ Show ]

    I know I keep saying this but besides oil and lumber, this country is one of the world's leading sup...

  • Spotlight on Layah Jane - July 2008 [+ Show ]

    Amie Street (July 2008) http://amiestreet.com/blog/post/artist-spotlight-layah-jane Inspired by...

  • Keeps Me Alive - July 2008 [+ Show ]

    Keeps Me Alive (July 2008) http://music-kma.livejournal.com/tag/concert+reviews Brian MacMillan...

  • The Sault Star - May 2008 [+ Show ]

    Deciding to stop taking music lessons may be one of the smartest things folk singer Layah Jane ever ...

  • The Toronto Star - April 2008 [+ Show ]

    Toronto's award-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Layah Jane is a spine-chilling talent who is sho...

  • Rochester City Newspaper - April 2007 [+ Show ]

    This 24-year-old Canadian songstress walks the folk side of the street. Layah Jane is folk in that h...

  • www.frankcasting.com - Sept. 2006 [+ Show ]

    In baseball, talents like Layah Jane are known as 5 tool prospects, someone who can do it all at a h...

  • Her Walk Ain't Weak- Feb.2006 [+ Show ]

    "...says she 'you all must be the change you wish to see' if I talk my speak but my walk is weak...

  • Northeast In Tune- Aug.2005 [+ Show ]

    “I wish they all could be Canadian girls” Layah Jane has been a busy girl. A back up singer on ...

Setlist

~ set # and length vary depending on venue and event, from 1 x 20 minutes up to 2 X 50 min +

Original Songs:
Follow You
Willow
Put Your Foot Down
Wake Me
Honey
A Heart That Knows
Landslide
Reverence and Ridicule
Firefly
Saltwater Taffy
Dry Wit
Hostage
Press to Me
Patience
When it's Time
Sagegrass
Burning Low
Steppin' Out
Don't Look
When it Heals

Cover Songs:
Shine (Joni Mitchell)
A Case of You (Joni Mitchell)
Crazy (Gnarls Barkley)
Some Humans Ain't Human (John Prine)
You Are the Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder)
Message in a Bottle (Police)
Love is in Love (Geggy Tah)
Looking for a Leader (Neil Young)
Don't Let it Bring You Down (Neil Young)
Forever (Ben Harper)

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Layah Jane Duo Rider

Calendar

DateTimeVenueCity
Jul 18, 2013 Thursday 6:00 PM ARTFARM Middletown, CT, US
Jul 19, 2013 Friday TBA Shady Lady Speakeasy Cafe Hardwick, VT, US
Jul 24, 2013 Wednesday 12:00 PM Nathan Phillips Square Toronto, ON, CA
Oct 18, 2013 Friday 7:30 PM Me and Thee Coffeehouse Marblehead, MA, US
Oct 19, 2013 Saturday 7:30 PM Circle of Friends Coffeehouse Franklin, MA, US
Jan 17, 2014 Friday 8:30 PM Hugh's Room Toronto, ON, CA
Jan 18, 2014 Saturday 8:30 PM Hugh's Room Toronto, ON, CA
Jan 19, 2014 Sunday 8:30 PM Hugh's Room Toronto, ON, CA