Jaron Freeman-Fox and The Opposite Of Everything
Merrylands, New South Wales, Australia | SELF
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Electrifying the Stage and Dancing
Wearing the funky shoes that once belonged to his fiddling/composing mentor (Oliver Schroer), Jaron Freeman-Fox playfully bounces, dances, wrestles and kicks behind stage with his band, right before they’re due on stage – even the words spilling from his mouth seem to bounce. “The idea of the band has been percolating for years,” explains manic violin virtuoso Freeman-Fox backstage. “I wanted to bring together a bunch of great musicians from different backgrounds and create a band where everyone likes to have a good time –a party band.”
As soon as The Opposite of Everything hits the stage, the groove is irresistible and young and old dance in front of the stage – setting the tone with a creative cover of “People are Strange.” Throughout the set, Freeman-Fox bounces and sings while playing his five-string electric violin.
John Freeman plays wicked clarinet solos, Johnny Spence makes the accordian look sexy and special guest guitarist Kevin Breit makes it look like he’s been playing with the band for years. Controlled frenzy on stage spills into the dance “grass floor” during the set, especially when the band plays “The Rabid Rabbi.” The band leaves the stage and it’s too soon –obvious that the audience wants more. Haven’t heard of the Freeman-Fox & the Opposite of Everything? See them live and they could possibly be your new favourite band. - The Walleye
Jaron Freeman-Fox – Manic Almanac: Slow Möbius
Upon opening the case of Manic Almanac: Slow
Möbius (independent, 2010), I was overwhelmed by
names—names of musicians, friends, and
co-conspirators who helped multi-instrumentalist
Jaron Freeman-Fox realize his complex artistic vision.
I was encouraged, however, when I recognized that
almost all of the names were rst-class, Toronto-based
musicians who help to esh out his compositions,
including: Ben Whiteley (upright bass, guitar),
Christine Bougie (lap steel, electric guitar), Andrew
Collins (mandolin), and a plethora of vocalists such
as Alex Samaras, D. Alex Meeks, Robyn Dell’Unto,
and Liam Titcomb.
While the many instrumental folk genres— ddle
tunes, reels, rags, breakdowns, jigs, etc.—serve as the
jumping-o point for a set of strong and focused
compositions, a deeper listen shows this record to be
so much more… ere are inuences of ambient
music (“Hunter S. ompson’s Polka, Part 1”), Indian
raga (“Tribe of the Coda” and “Prayer”), improvisation
(“Solkattu Cowboy”), and of the aesthetics of
Freeman-Fox’s mentor, the recently-deceased
Canadian ddle pioneer Oliver Schroer (“ e O
Set” and “ e Birds Will Sing Again”). Most exciting
of all, all of these various (and o en disparate)
musical styles mix together beautifully; the album
plays back exactly as Freeman-Fox intends: “[like] a
spiral inwards—a commentary on a series of
journeys.”
ere is no doubting that this is an ambitious and
far-reaching artistic statement, especially for a rst
full-length release; but it only proves that Jaron
Freeman-Fox is willing to take risks in order to move
forward. When a relatively young artist makes a
record that can have de ly negotiate musical styles
while also maintaining inner-cohesion, it can only
mean greater things to come—and that notion, like
Manic Almanac itself, is truly exciting.
Recommended Listening:
“Prayer”, “Solkattu Cowboy”, “Hunter S. Tompson’s
Polka, Parts 1 & 2”, “Waterfall” - Spontaneous Combustion
Published December 23, 2010 by Nathan Usher in CD Reviews
I usually don’t like new things. This is because I am a coward and scared of the unknown. Like a child; you have to trick me into eating new vegetables by serving them in a lasagne or on pizza under the cheese. Jaron Freeman-Fox used this very technique against me. Violin? I like that. Two mandolins? Go on.... Electric guitar? Don’t mind if I do! Then, when I least expected it: flugelhorn, Dobro and a little button accordion action. Maniac Almanac from this Toronto virtuoso is new, it is something I never expected I would like but it is delicious. Lead by the dynamic fiddle of Jaron Freeman-Fox, the sound is best described as symphonic. There are elements of folk and rock and funk but there is an importance placed on arrangement that shifts the mood constantly and makes this a very interesting and undoubtedly enjoyable listen.
4 ½ out of 5 Stars - See Magazine
Out of the B.C. interior comes multi-instrumentalist musician Jaron Freeman-Fox with his debut release, Maniac Almanac: Slow Möbius, pretty much defies description on his style of music with his brightly refreshing material that perks a lot of the senses inspired by his home and a sonjourn through India.
With a slew of other musicians, which includes local bluesman Ben Whitely and mandolin player Adrian Gross, Freeman-Fox offers some gentle melodies "The Off Set" and "Rainwood" holding their own beauties; a jazzy tango on "Caboose;" bluegrass-tinged "The Birds Will Sing Again" to the serene, yet happy-go-lucky tune "Waterfall."
Best track goes to "Cirkusz Olvidado" that must be heard to be believed while an Indo-Celtic blend stirs up tracks "Road," "Solkattu Cowboy" and the two-part "Hunter S. Thompson's Polka," but none more so than the musician's solemn tribute to a ailing friend with "Prayer" really touches. Canada's next folk hero has arrived.
- Outreach Connection (Toronto)
Jaron Freeman-Fox, violin in hand, is regularly spotted around town backing up musicians who occupy every imaginable niche of folk, fusion and experimental music. On his instrumental debut full-length, many of his collaborators – David Woodhead, Christine Bougie, Ben Whiteley – return the favour.
Manic Almanac chronicles Freeman-Fox’s adventures across Canada and around the world (a BC native, he studied in India before coming to Toronto a few years ago). Opener Rainwood layers violins, guitar, bass, trumpets and percussion in a stimulating swirl that fans of Owen Pallett might appreciate. Caboose is hectic Gypsy jazz, while Prayer is a delicate, slow balance of East and West. Clarity is a love song to the violin, while Waterfall closes the album with swells of strings, whistling and chanting.
This is an album best enjoyed on rainy mornings as coffee is brewing and you’re missing the coast. Any coast. - NOW Magazine
Discography
-Jaron Freeman-Fox & The Opposite of Everything (2013)
-Manic Almanac : Slow Möbius (2010)
-Two-Pieces and Foreshadows EP (2009)
Photos
Bio
-International Songwriting Competition winner
-Winner of the 2012 Independent Music Awards 'Instrumental song of the year'
-Nominated for the 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards:
"Best Instrumental Solo Artist" and "Pushing the Boundaries"
"The hyper-kinetic Jaron Freeman-Fox is the Jimi Hendrix of the violin. With the chops of a classical virtuoso and the soul of a wild-eyed punk, he plays world music in the truest sense of the word, leaping from Gypsy to Klezmer to Celtic to Country without skipping a beat."
-Ottawa International Jazz Festival
“Jaron Freeman-Fox calls his band the Opposite of Everything. With a name like that, you might expect his music to be pretty adventurous — which it most certainly is.
His new album begins with a remixed sample from a horse auction that melds into Indian vocal percussion. Before the album is finished, you’ll hear growling that would make Tom Waits proud, a version of the Doors' “People Are Strange” that makes Jim Morrison sound boring and even some throat singing. Freeman-Fox’s musical exploration has literally taken him all over the world and he finds inspiration everywhere he goes.”
- Reuben Maan, CBC Music
“Jaron Freeman Fox and the Opposite of Everything electrified the crowds wherever they went at Live From the Rock. The exuberance, talent, creativity and controlled insanity demonstrated by this exciting Toronto conglomeration was a joy to behold.”
–Jennifer Ives: Artistic Director, Live from the Rock Folk Festival
Contorting the violin into new traditions, violinist/composer Jaron Freeman-Fox dances down the fine line between the beautiful and the ridiculous, while redefining what the violin is capable of. Having produced or played on over 40 albums, and toured the world as a solo artist and collaborator, Freeman-Fox fuses his roots of Celtic and bluegrass fiddling with his study of Indian classical music and jazz, playing the 5-string violins of his late mentor; fiddle pioneer Oliver Schroer. ? Now, after 3 years of touring, writing, recording and spelunking with his fiery band “Jaron Freeman-Fox & The Opposite of Everything”, Jaron unveils his band's new self-titled album in March 2013, fully demonstrating the breadth, depth, and general lunacy of this ensemble's creativity.
Folks may be intrigued by the fact that Freeman-Fox has performed for 100,000 people and the young royal couple on Parlimant hill, or that the Canadian Embassy was kind (or foolish) enough to send him off to collaborate with a troupe of nomadic Rajasthani gypsies at the Delhi International Arts Festival, or that his debut album “Manic Almanac : Slow Möbius” won an independent music award, or that he's performed with Delhi2Dublin, Tanya Tagaq, and James Kudelka. Jaron however, is most proud of the fact that he's broken three different fiddles on stage and zero bones, had his violin stolen by monkeys in Bali and got it back without contracting rabies, and has the honour of featuring his absolute favourite musicians in the world, in his band The Opposite of Everything.
THE OPPOSITE OF EVERYTHING:
Described as “Tom Waits playing the fiddle, backed up by the Mahavishnu Orchestra”, The Opposite of Everything transform Freeman-Fox’s intricate compositions into an infectious party! The line-up consists of New Orleans-style clarinetist John Williams, electro-pop klezmer accordionist Robbie Grunwald, jazz bassist Charles James, and drummer Dan Stadnicki. After three busy years of playing folk, jazz and world music festivals (including performances at the Vancouver Folk Fest, The Ottawa Jazz Festival, and official showcases at WOMEX in Greece and Folk Alliance International in Memphis, TN) the band will be touring coast-to-coast again this summer, then heading overseas for their first full european tour this fall, now with their eagerly-awaited new album!
(Read a full bio at www.jaronfreemanfox.com)
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