Jonathan Li

Jonathan Li performs on CTV Morning Live Edmonton. - CTV

Jonathan Li is a singer/ songwriter from Calgary, Alberta. Music has always been an important part of Jonathan’s life and he began writing in high school, as well as working at a record store, which allowed him to hear a lot of different music, but he says he always gravitated towards songs that had a hook to it, regardless of the genre.

He eventually got a guitar and was immediately influenced by early John Mayer, Collective Soul and Goo Goo Dolls.He continues to be influenced by these bands, and more. He has said that he “wants to write music that is inspiring and touches people.”

He has released his latest album, “Our Stories Matter”, which features dozens of photos on the artwork and truly remarkable vocals on the album. The album is made up of eleven songs, giving it a total play time of almost 40 minutes. As soon as I clicked the play button and “One Life” started to play, I knew I was in for a treat. The song immediately pulls you in with the catchy beat, and as soon as Jonathan starts singing, there was no way that I was turning it off. This is an excellent example of an inspirational song with lyrics such as “I’d rather fail, then to say I never tried, only got one life” and “Tell me that there’s more than what I see, that there’s oppurtunities to be bigger than just me.” The song continues on this same path and really makes you want to be the best you can, and accomplish your dreams.

The second song gives you a different feel, in my opinion. It’s a little less inspirational then the rest of the album, but still has a story to tell. Jonathan’s vocals are chillingly perfect. This is the type of song you instantly want to sing along with, especially the chorus, “Do you got heart, and do you got soul, make my heart go boom like rock n roll”.

Each song on the album has a strong meaning, and I am sure that these songs will each help people through something in their lives. Many of the songs are very inspirational and that is the type of song that I gravitate towards. Another song that I want to mention is the fifth song, “Where I’m Supposed To Be”, which is actually on the album twice, one is a folk version. I must admit, I was immediately pulled in by the folk version, as the vocals are more clear and easier to connect with. The lyrics are about being true to yourself.

I really cannot choose a favourite from this album, it was even tough to choose just three songs to talk about. I highly recommend the album to anyone, but especially to people who appreciate songs filled with inspiration and meaning.

Rating: 5/5 - Canadian Beats

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 Calgary Sun

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
- N/A

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

- The Gauntlet