Lyndon John X

Artist Information

Biography

BREAKING NEWS! March 14th, 2011

LYNDON JOHN X receives 3 Nominations at the RMAA's! 2011 finds him receiving these in the categories of Best Reggae Album of the Year, Best Reggae Single of the Year and Top Male Singer!! Vote Now and Vote often!! Congrats to all the Nominees!

BREAKING NEWS!! Feb 1, 2011

LYNDON JOHN X receives JUNO Nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year for sophomore album "Brighter Days"!!!

His debut album, "Two Chord Skankin'" was released in 2007 and landed him a Juno Nomination as well as a Top Male Newcomer at the CRMA's. He has performed at various national festivals such as Iriefest, Montreal Reggae Festival, Calgary Reggaefest etc. In the summer of 2009 he had the privilege of touring Switzerland and performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival and Blue Balls Festivals along side Third World, Angelique Kidjo, Seal, Monty Alexander and many others! He was also the runner up at the Jamacian Jazz and Blues Festival Bandquest held in New York last year.

“This is what it’s all about and what I have always wanted to do; spread positive music vibes!”

On August 1st 2010, LJX released his highly anticipated sophomore album BRIGHTER DAYS. It alreay received great reviews and regular rotation on various radio stations across Canada, the US and Jamacia. The title track has set the airwaves ablaze and was featured on Canada’s largest CTV news network Canada AM. LJX’s live news performance marked a historic moment in Canadian broadcasting as a reggae artist has not been featured live on national TV for over a decade. Brighter Days is currently charting in Canada and on rotation in the US & Jamaica. LJX’s sound has been compared to Steel Pulse and Bob Marley which are both honourable comparisons but his vocals, skank and overall sound are truly original.

“Once you get to understand the lyrics the message starts to penetrate!”

Lyndon feels Reggae has and will forever be a revolutionary instrument that broadcasts injustices as well as projects hope for the future all over the world. With his music, Lyndon’s creative plan is to fuse reggae with elements from other genres. The eclectic nature of Lyndon’s musical stems from playing with bands and jamming with musicians of every kind. His main musical influences are Bob Marley & The Wailers, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse, Third World, Sly & Robbie, Morgan Heritage, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and Wes Montgomery. Lyndon remains open to all types of music.



Lyndon John X – Selected List of Past Performances:

JUNO Welcome Reception 11,- Toronto, On
JUNOfest UMAC Showcase 11-Toronto, On
Montreux Jazz Festival 09 - Geneva, Switzerland
Montreux Meets Brienz 09 - Brienz, Switzerland
Blue Balls Festival 09 - Lucern, Switzerland
CHRY Live Station Broadcast 09 - Toronto
Ethiopian Church Fundraiser 09 - Toronto
Calgary Reggae Festival 08 - Calgary
Montreal Reggaefest 08 - Montreal
JUNOFEST 08 - Calgary
Black Love Show 08 - Toronto
Karl Mullings Tribute Show 08 - Toronto
Acoustic Reggae Showcase 07 – Montreal
Bob Marley Tribute Show 07 - Toronto
Haiti Benefit Show 07 - Toronto

Awards Nominations:
Reggae Recording of the Year- 2011 JUNO Awards
Best Reggae Single, Best Reggae Album, Best Male Vocalist- 2011 Reggae Music Achievement Awards
Reggae Recording of the Year - 2008 JUNO Awards
Top Male Newcomer - 2008 Canadian Reggae Music Awards

**FOR BOOKINGS and/or questions please contact**
*Is able to travel with own band OR perform with Houseband
Manager: Julie Chambers
519-998-6484
stunningjewel@hotmail.com

Instrumentation

Lyndon John X - Lead singer, Lead/Rythym Guitar

Discography

AUG 2010 Sophomore Album "BRIGHTER DAYS" RELEASED!
Receives 2011 Juno nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year!
Streaming and charting on radio stations across Canada, USA, Jamaica and hitting Europe now.

Sept 2010, LIVE performance on CTV Canada AM
Sept 2010 LIVE off the floor recording at CIUT in TO

2008--Debut Album --"Two Chord Skankin"
Played on radio stations across Canada, England, Europe
2011 & 2008 Juno Nomination-Reggae Recording of the Year
CRMAA's Nomination for Top Male Newcomer

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Reverb Nation
• MySpace
• Black Planet
• Twiiter
• Facebook

Audio

• Brighter Days
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• Rasta Rational
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• Fighting Youth
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• In The Ghetto
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• Never Gonna Move
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• Two Chord Skankin'
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• Ticking Time Bomb
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• Creation
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• Strugglin'
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• Handicap Situation
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• LIVE-Intro @ Montreux Jazz Festival
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• LIVE @ Montreux Jazz Festival--Fighting Youth
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• LIVE @ Montreux Jazz Festival--Easy Down
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Lyrics

• Brighter Days
• Rasta Rational
• Two Chord Skankin'
• Creation
• Handicap Situation
• Strugglin'
• All My Lovin'
• Think of You
• I Dont Need Nobody Killin' Me

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Brighters Days, 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  If you yearn for melodic, thoughtful, satisfying reggae music that’s rootsy in style yet contemporar...If you yearn for melodic, thoughtful, satisfying reggae music that’s rootsy in style yet contemporary in outlook, search no further. Toronto-based LJX (aka Lyndon John X) has created what you need under the title Brighter Days.
  
  The disc has a long list of strengths, but let’s start with the song-writing, which features consistently attractive and original melodies as very road-worthy vehicles for intelligent, clear-eyed commentary. There’s a definite Rasta sensibility in the lyrics, including a few references to “politricksters” and the like, but for the most part the “burn down Babylon” clichés are replaced by novel approaches to a wide range of significant contemporary issues. If there is a common theme, it’s the necessity to keep vigilant for the manifold sources and methods of the destructive social conditioning process we’re undergoing. Consider the honesty of this, for example: “and now the brainwashing has caused us to call ourselves niggers at the drop of a hip hop sound.”
  
  Just as impressive as the songwriting is the musicianship, especially the vocals – not merely soulful, supple and inventive, but often incorporating an enthusiasm and joy that I find absolutely infectious. The rhythms are propelled by a rich, deep bass, a solid foundation for arrangements that although never dramatically inventive or far-reaching, are sufficiently variable to include keyboards, some dub, even a touch of nyahbinghi percussion.
  
  For me, the most amazing thing about Brighter Days is the way it distils so much of what is appealing about classic roots reggae without ever becoming generic, and without LJX emulating any other artist. Yes, this album is a real treasure, and deserves all the attention it can possibly get. (A warning, though: once you buy and listen to this one, you’ll find yourself craving LJX’s brilliant first album, Two Chord Skankin’ as well.)
  
  

• Brighter Days Review [+ Show ]
  

  Lyndon John established himself as one of Canada's most interesting reggae artists with his debut, T...Lyndon John established himself as one of Canada's most interesting reggae artists with his debut, Two Chord Skanking. For a change, LJX didn't plunge into the international society of Bob Marley reverence. Rather, the comparison this guitar-slinging singer received most often was to Steel Pulse's jazzy, punk-y Anglo-reggae. Brighter Days trades a bit of that fresh energy for a more fully realized production. Songs such as "Rasta Rational" and "Fighting Youth" still bubble, but the title track and "Ticking Time Bomb" are more contemplative and plodding. Even in the more stately songs though, his excellent musicianship produces little details that keep the listener's interest. LJX's lyrics remain on point; he has a knack for applying Rastafarian reasoning to North American situations ? these aren't just fuzzy pledges to Jah. Though this album features a more conventional style of roots reggae, it's a solid follow-up and, hopefully, will garner some Juno consideration.
  (Independent)

• THE BEAT MAGAZINE-Bob MArley Tribute Edition [+ Show ]
  

  Fans of Steel Pulse are going to love LJX's Two Chord Skankin' (LJX). Uptempo and bright, Lyndon Jo...Fans of Steel Pulse are going to love LJX's Two Chord Skankin' (LJX). Uptempo and bright, Lyndon John X's vocals are filled with joy even on serious themed songs like "Hanidcap Situation", "Strugglin'" and "I Don't Need Nobody Killin' Me". Issued out of Canada, guitar is the featured instrument on this one with subtle wah-wah groove effects laid like a carpet over a solid floor of bass and drums. The sound is a nice mix of rock and reggae elements with nice harmonies and good production values. High energy pop roots music that's meant to bring you up

• GROOVE-FUNK, SOUL, and INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS [+ Show ]
  

  LJX Two Chord Skankin' With his debut album, Two Chord Skankin’, Toronto-based reggae singer/gui...LJX
  Two Chord Skankin'
  
  With his debut album, Two Chord Skankin’, Toronto-based reggae singer/guitarist LJX has dropped one of the most satisfying reggae discs of the year so far. Lyndon John X brings fresh energy to roots reggae; his sound strongly recalls Steel Pulse at their peak, with a jazzy flow to his vocals intertwined with his lead guitar lines. He’s an excellent songwriter; his words are well chosen to match his vocal style, and he paints vivid pictures of timeless reggae subject matter such as dancing, oppression and love. “Strugglin’” speaks to the workaholic existence of an individual addicted to money, losing himself to drink, drugs and depression. This is far from the simple “believe in yourself” song, it wallows in discouragement, but the bass-heavy production accentuates the heaviness. The love songs don’t hit as hard as tunes like “I Don’t Need Nobody Killin’ Me” but they still maintain the strong flow of the album. The band, featuring Lee Perry mainstay Ronnie “Bop” Williams, is heavy on an elastic guitar/bass/drum interplay barely leavened by the unobtrusive keyboards. The two chord skank comes as advertised!!
  

• ABSTRACT PLAYLIST REVIEW [+ Show ]
  

  Another tip of the hat to DJ Chocolate, who turned me on to this week’s pick. I’m going to find out...Another tip of the hat to DJ Chocolate, who turned me on to this week’s pick. I’m going to find out a lot more about local reggae artist LJX when he stops by the Index for a chat this week to promote the release of “Two Chord Skankin’”.
  The disc is a low budget affair but features excellent song writing, which raises the level of the band interplay. LJX is a tasty guitarist with a predilection for jazz, not just in terms of his soloing but his surprising chord changes throughout his songs. He’s an engaging singer as well with a strong debt to Steel Pulse’s David Hinds in his vocal delivery.
  One notable presence on this disc is former Upsetter Ronnie Bop (he was an important contributor to the Wailers Lee Perry sessions), who plays bass. Lyndon credits Ronnie’s nimble lead guitar work on early Lee Perry spaghetti western type singles as being an impression, as well as Wes Montgomery.
  I’ve always been impressed with reggae lyrics which reflect new and more specific subject matter which reflects reggae’s many ports of call. There are issues in Toronto, New York, Cote D”Ivoire or Japan which demand different lyrical treatments. Strugglin’ is about failing to cope with the soulless existence of workholism and addiction to money. It certainly spoke to me in the last couple of weeks as I’ve been overwhelmed by life and work. Myself, I’m more self reliant (I hope) than what the song describes.
  

Setlist

Shows are 75-90 minutes on average.
Or 2-45 min sets
95% Songs are all original, the other 5% are hard hitting, roots reggae covers from the greatest Reggae has to offer.
Can travel with own band OR perform with houseband!

Basic Requirements

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