Jonathan Seet

Artist Information

Biography

In the 2007 Toronto Vagina Monologues V-Day performances, Jonathan contributed a live set of solo material. One of the Monologues performers approached him afterwards (with her boyfriend beside) and confessed, “that was the most beautiful, stunning performance I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen anyone perform like that. I cried.” Her boyfriend nods. Seet adds, “then he gave me his orange soda.”

The 2007 release of Jonathan Seet’s 3rd album, Thanks To Science, We’ve Got Love, comes after a long wait as a follow up to his 2003 critical darling, Arousal Disasters. All the recordings were finished and mastered by November 2005. All of the songs on Thanks To Science were performed and recorded by Seet his home recording studio. Some of the tunes feature Seet’s trademark massive pop-production value while others take a minimalist approach. It’s an album that can be compulsively listened to several times in succession without fatigue.

Jonathan Seet’s writing style has been called lush, cinematic, articulate, intelligent and “perfectly-formed pop symphonies.” It’s also been called sensual and poetic. While Arousal Disasters was thematically linked by vice and virtue in love, Thanks To Science is much more divergent. It’s still narrative and conversational but also seems somewhat more personal. Some songs, like “My Wasted Youth” and “Watching You Sleep” are almost confessional. “It’s Not Enough” is a back-beat rocker while “Come On” is a straight-up call-to-arms anthem.

He’s also maintained that wry sense of humour, irony and wordplay. “Fashion Tips For The Homeless” might sound un-P.C. but it’s merely a metaphorical observation on the state of religion and fanaticism in our modern day world. “Killing All My Friends” is a harmless, but gorgeous love song. Along with all this new material on Thanks To Science is also Seet’s deft cover version of “I Will Wait For You.”

It's as if someone took your childhood photo album and haphazardly scattered the images on the floor. Think Brian Ferry in worn out comfortable shoes. Mix in equal parts Robert Smith of The Cure, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead (alright, older Radiohead), and you're starting to get the picture. Can you imagine Jeff Tweedy in an Armani dinner jacket? David Bowie backed with a grand piano and an acoustic guitar? Of course you can. You're there.

Instrumentation

Jonathan Seet - Vocals, guitar, keys
Rob Greenway - Drums, percussion, Backing Vocals
David Celia - Bass, Backing Vocals
J Englishman - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Emily Weedon - Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Discography

Thanks To Science, We've Got Love (2007) - Full length CD (Release Fall 2007)
Arousal Disasters (Aporia/MapleNationwide, 2003) - Full length CD
The School Original Film Soundtrack (Berkely Films, 2002)
Melatonin (2000) - Full length CD

Official Website

http://www.seet.ca

Audio

• A Million Hungry Eyes
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• Just Try
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• Come On
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• Killing All My Friends
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Lyrics

• A Million Hungry Eyes
• Just Try
• Come On
• Killing All My Friends

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Canadian Music Network [+ Show ]
  

  Indie Album of the Month - "...Arousal Disasters is a gorgeous, ethereal pop album, and one of the f...Indie Album of the Month - "...Arousal Disasters is a gorgeous, ethereal pop album, and one of the first truly notable releases of the year..."

• Now Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  (4/5) - "...all dripping wet and darkly gorgeous...luxuriant synth-orchestral pop ballads that are, ...(4/5) - "...all dripping wet and darkly gorgeous...luxuriant synth-orchestral pop ballads that are, paradoxically, both massive and claustrophobic in scope...sounds like the type who'd jump you in a back alley, but he'd only want to read you goth poetry"

• UmbrellaMusic.com [+ Show ]
  

  "...Arousal Disasters, is a lush and cinematic album filled with perfectly-formed pop symphonies...t..."...Arousal Disasters, is a lush and cinematic album filled with perfectly-formed pop symphonies...the kind of timeless, sophisticated pop that is in short supply these days...stands head and shoulders above most major-label albums..."

• Broken Pencil Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "...like the modern score to an Erich von Stroheim film. Dark corners and demented lovers spill them..."...like the modern score to an Erich von Stroheim film. Dark corners and demented lovers spill themselves across the lyrical landscape, bringing sharp edges to seemingly straightforward pop songs. Standout tracks include the melodramatic "Cyanide Tooth," which sounds like collaboration between Douglas Sirk and The Hidden Cameras...an interesting and quirky recording by a remarkable singer - perfect for those in the throes of romantic obsession"

Setlist

-sets can be anywhere from 35-90 minutes as required
-all originals, with the occassional obscure cover

Basic Requirements

Calendar