Jonathan Li

Artist Information

Biography

Jonathan Li’s music can be described as soulful pop rock that kicks at your heart while getting stuck in your head. Jonathan strives to reach out to people by creating music that genuinely connects with others and that can be a “light” for them in the dark periods of life, to let his listeners know that they aren’t alone. His ultimate goal is to one day speak to a worldwide audience with his music and make a change for the better.

The budding musician developed a passion for the arts when he became involved with his high school music program and began singing in the high school ensemble. After graduation, Jonathan worked hard to develop his skills as a guitarist, studying with jazz performer Ralf Buschmeyer. He also started training with renowned vocal coach, Brian Farrell, who has worked with high-profile artists including country superstar Paul Brandt, producer Ashwin Sood, international sensation Raghav and Canadian Idol winner Kalan Porter.

He also began songwriting in high school, inspired by the likes of U2, Death Cab for Cutie, Collective Soul, John Mayer and Dave Matthews. Then in 2006, Jonathan’s talent was recognized internationally when he was offered a position to tour Europe with Cirque de Soleil as lead male vocal with the show “Delirium”. After much consideration, Jonathan turned down the position after deciding to use the next year to record and produce his debut solo album while finishing his business degree.

In the summer of 2007, he spent months in the recording studio working with several talented musicians and released his long-awaited LP, If You Thought You Knew, in June of 2008. Now in 2012, after playing numerous live shows from small venues up to concert halls while also earning a certificate in songwriting from Berklee College of Music, Jonathan is preparing to release his sophomore album "Our Stories Matter". Jonathan has utilized the talents of producers Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowland, State of Shock) and Russell Broom (Jann Arden, The Dudes) slated for release in May / June 2012. His hope is to share his music with even bigger audiences while expanding his fan base and catching the attention of the moguls of the music industry.

Instrumentation

Discography

If You Thought You Knew - Released 2008
Our Stories Matter - To Be Released in May / June 2012

Links

• Last.fm
• Facebook
• Official Website
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• In This City
  Listen  
• Where I'm Suppose To Be
  Listen  
• Don't You Wanna Be
  Listen  
• Cross Your Fingers
  Listen  
• I'm Sick, I'm Tired
  Listen  

Lyrics

• In This City
• Where I'm Suppose To Be
• Don't You Wanna Be
• I'm Sick, I'm Tired

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• CALGARY MUSICIAN RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM [+ Show ]
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 20, 2008 CALGARY MUSICIAN RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM It was a blis...FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  February 20, 2008
  
  CALGARY MUSICIAN RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM
  
  
  It was a blistering hot summer in Calgary, Alberta, but Jonathan Li didn’t get to see much of the sun.
  Instead, the local singer-songwriter spent the summer in a studio behind a microphone.
  After years of dreams and months of work, Jonathan is releasing his debut album, If You Thought You Knew - a soulful ride through life wrapped up into 11 insightful songs.
  
  Several songs on the album have already caught the attention of music professionals and fans who have attended Jonathan’s Calgary shows.
  And though making waves in the local music scene has kept him busy, Calgary’s next musical sensation will now focus on promoting If You Thought You Knew.
  
  “I’m hoping this album connects with people. Everybody has gone through those interesting periods in their lives where they’re transitioning from one phase to another; where you look back at the people and the experiences, the good and the bad times that have landed you where you are, and you realize you’ve grown as a person but that there’s still plenty of room left for growth.
  “I try to be honest as possible with the music, because if you can’t be honest in your music, where can you be?” said Jonathan.
  
  Jonathan was born and raised in Calgary, though his family hails from Hong Kong.
  His passion has driven him to help develop the niche for Asian-Canadian singer-songwriters in mainstream music.
  
  With music on his mind since his teenage years, he decided to major in Entrepreneurship at the University of Calgary with the hope of one day managing his own record label.
  An avid music buff and guitar player, he is thrilled to have finally moved the tunes in his head and the words on his notepad onto a record.
  
  If you would like more information, Jonathan is pleased to speak with you about the debut of If You Thought You Knew as well as his musical career.
  He is also available for photos by appointment.
  
  You can also check out his samples of his music at www.sonicbids.com/jonathanli
  
  For more information or to set up an interview:
  Jenna McMurray
  Communications
  (403) 651-8349
  jenna.mcmurray@sunmedia.ca
  

• Entertainment Section - Local Songwriter Keeps it Positive - June 13th 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  The Calgary Sun © Copyright 2008, Sun Media Corporation Local songwriter keeps it positive Frid...The Calgary Sun
  © Copyright 2008, Sun Media Corporation
  Local songwriter keeps it positive
  
  Friday, June 13, 2008
  BY THERESA TAYLER
  
  That awkward time in life between high school graduation and retirement is full of ups and downs.
  Jonathan Li has decided there's no time like the present to start looking high rather than low, even if it means his head might be left in the clouds.
  
  The 21-year-old musician has just recorded his first independent release, If You Thought You Knew, and the folksy songwriter is determined to keep a positive spin on his new record.
  
  "There's a lot of songs about love, growing up... finding the good in people, and just being twentysomething.”
  
  "That odd, awkward phase people go through while you're trying to figure out what you're going to do," says Li.
  
  "That portion of life when you're not too young, but you're still a little bit naive."
  
  Li's completely independent compilation is full of dreamy pop songs that he says focus on positive and inspirational subject matter. But that doesn't mean Li isn't interested in tackling the darker side of the human experience -- he also writes about divorce and coming back from depression.
  
  "As you grow up you realize everything is not as lovely dovey as you thought it was. It's about finding the good in people and realizing that there is good there. There's nothing there at all when you concentrate on the negative," says Li.
  
  He says he gets his positive take on life from his spiritual upbringing and close family unit.
  
  "There's so much negative in the world. I hope that with my music I can help bring a bit of positive out, and just help people in general," says Li.
  
  "I come from a Christian upbringing, I guess that also plays a role."
  
  The Calgary musician is also a full-time business student at the University of Calgary. Li says while folk music and business may at first seem to be polar opposites, the two passions have been the perfect combination for him.
  
  "With many musicians who are doing really well, it's often because they know how to take care of their own business. You have to treat it like a business, do your own accounting and make sure you're not going into the red. Even though being a musician sometimes by definition means you're probably always in the red," says Li laughing.
  
  Li was born in Calgary, his parents are from Hong Kong. He says he hopes his own passion and drive will help create a niche for Asian-Canadian singer-songwriters in mainstream music.
  
  © Copyright 2008,
  

• The Gauntlet - Calgary Musician Knows All About the Business [+ Show ]
  

  Calgary songster/guitarist Jonathan Li knows how to mix business and pleasure. The soon-to-be Hask...
  Calgary songster/guitarist Jonathan Li knows how to mix business and pleasure. The soon-to-be Haskayne graduate is becoming a big name in the Calgary music scene all while getting a sound fiscal education.
  
  Li's aspirations of becoming a guitarist were sparked when his junior high school social studies teacher used guitars to spark interest during class. After starting at a new school, Li pursued his interest and eventually studied with jazz musician Ralf Buschmeyer and vocal coach Brian Farrell. A new opportunity opened up to the budding artist when he started attending the University of Calgary.
  
  "There's a club at the university called Busking for Smiles," Li explains. "I've been involved in that for the last four years. I started out just playing at the open mikes and the different shows at the den and other stuff. We played a few times at That Empty Space before Busking for Smiles and we decided to do the Boris-Roubakine Recital Hall."
  
  Since his campus involvement, Li has been playing shows all over the city, immersing himself in the tight-knit and burgeoning music community. He says he's made some great friends and jamming partners along the way, as well as established himself in a group that prides itself on supporting each other and their pursuits.
  
  "Playing for the last couple of years, it's surprising how many actual bands there are in the city," he says. "I can walk into any venue and see someone I know on stage or see three or four acts I know watching the show."
  
  Though he's become entrenched in his musical path, Li says that his business school experience has, surprisingly, proved invaluable in moving toward his goals.
  
  "I decided to go with the safe degree first so I'd actually have a job that would allow me to pay for my music," he says. "Otherwise, I'd have no idea how to do it because we really don't make that much money, but we do it because we love it. Business applies everywhere at the end of the day, even though I love music and you can still profit or something of the sort."
  
  Now that he's almost out in the workforce, Li has some more time to focus on developing his career and consider his future. Though he admits that it's hard for anyone to do well in music, he's already planning his strategy for success.
  
  "[I'm focusing on] growing a fanbase," he says. "I've been taking things online. I have a small blog right now but I've been working on starting a larger video blog and talking to the fans everyday. For the future, I hope to play more shows and come out with a second album. My next album's going to be a lot more alternative, a lot more rock. I'm hoping to play a large show or a festival or two."
  
  http://thegauntlet.ca/story/12895
  
  

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Setlist

Originals:

In This City
Where I'm Suppose To Be
One Life
Don't You Wanna Be
Rock n Roll
San Francisco
Fine By Me
Back to Me
No Choice
Misery
Moving On
I'm Sick, I'm Tired
Cross Your Fingers


Covers:

Matthew Good - Load Me Up
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
Death Cab For Cutie - Sound of Settling
Rihanna - Umbrella
Tom Petty - Free Falling
Semisonic - Closing Time
Ben E King - Stand By Me
Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girls
Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are
Guess Who - American Woman
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
Oasis – Wonderwall
Jack Johnson – Sitting Waiting Wishing
Better Than Ezra - Good
Jason Mraz - You And I
Dave Matthews - Crash Into Me

Basic Requirements

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