Jon Bryant
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Jon Bryant

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | SELF

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | SELF
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"New Music - Me My Guitar and Songs I Like"

Me My Guitar and Songs I Like - what better way to describe a little record of acoustic covers? Halifax’s own Jon Bryant is set to release a full-length album in May, but in preparation he’s previewed a couple of its tracks to his adoring fans. When raising funds for this album, he gave away a few covers to all those that supported it. This was released to the public today, and includes renditions of some classic Lightfoot, Dylan, Young and others. They’re all streamable and can be downloaded for the small price of $5. - Sound Vat


"Interview with Jon Bryant"

Nova Scotia’s indie/folk artist, Jon Bryant, took the time out of his busy Canadian tour to drop by our studio to speak with New Wax’s Olivia Chandler about his latest album, What Takes You, his tour, and life on the east coast.
- New Wax Highlights


"Jon Bryant - What Takes You"

A couple of years ago while browsing the iTunes store, I came across a single of the week from a Canadian artist that I had never heard of before- Jon Bryant. Impressed with the beauty of the track, I went in search of his other work and quickly became a fan of the soft acoustic style that characterized his debut album “Two Coasts for Comfort.” Today, Bryant releases his second album titled “What Takes You,” and from the first listen, I can already tell that his signature acoustic style prevails.

Filled with sentimental and melancholic tracks, “What Takes You” is the perfect follow-up to Bryant’s earlier release, and as the artist reveals in his personal review of the album, each song has been included to evoke different emotions from the audience. He states “we wanted to create a mood and a progression of emotions with the songs… I like the way music can draw one specific reaction from one person and another very distinct reaction from another.” Indeed, “What Takes You” will no doubt play on your emotions and remind you of what pure and natural musical talent sounds like. See for yourself, and if you like what you hear, purchase the album on iTunes or Bandcamp! - This Bonus Track


"Concert Review - Jon Bryant | The Carleton"

December 15th. The Carleton, Halifax NS.
Support: Laura Merrimen
Headlining: Jon Bryant

Halifax’s Jon Bryant played his first Halifax show in a while at the Carleton this past Wednesday. A sold out crowd gathered to listen to his guest laden concert. After opener Laura Merrimen played through her country infused folk set, Jon took to the stage for the first of three sets. A cover of the Neil Young classic Harvest Moon featuring lovely guest vocals by Sheilagh McNab opened his first set that featured mostly new songs that will be on his follow up to debut album Two Coasts for Comfort. The second part of his show featured a number of Christmas songs. Jon put his father Al Bryant on the spot, asking him to come on stage and sing the second verse of Silent Night. This was warmly received by the audience. Meaghan Smith, Jason Mingo, and Kris Pope also joined Jon on stage for these songs. After a short intermission Jon returned with a full band to play new songs as well as old favourites like Texas Tea, The Hallelujah, and Deaf.

Below are 5 songs from the show recorded on an iPhone. Since I was at the back of the venue I wasn’t able to grab any good videos and there is some chattering at parts of songs, but what is a bootleg without some chit chat. Click on the down arrows after each song to download. Enjoy. - The Broken Speaker


"Concert Review - Jon Bryant | The Carleton"

December 15th. The Carleton, Halifax NS.
Support: Laura Merrimen
Headlining: Jon Bryant

Halifax’s Jon Bryant played his first Halifax show in a while at the Carleton this past Wednesday. A sold out crowd gathered to listen to his guest laden concert. After opener Laura Merrimen played through her country infused folk set, Jon took to the stage for the first of three sets. A cover of the Neil Young classic Harvest Moon featuring lovely guest vocals by Sheilagh McNab opened his first set that featured mostly new songs that will be on his follow up to debut album Two Coasts for Comfort. The second part of his show featured a number of Christmas songs. Jon put his father Al Bryant on the spot, asking him to come on stage and sing the second verse of Silent Night. This was warmly received by the audience. Meaghan Smith, Jason Mingo, and Kris Pope also joined Jon on stage for these songs. After a short intermission Jon returned with a full band to play new songs as well as old favourites like Texas Tea, The Hallelujah, and Deaf.

Below are 5 songs from the show recorded on an iPhone. Since I was at the back of the venue I wasn’t able to grab any good videos and there is some chattering at parts of songs, but what is a bootleg without some chit chat. Click on the down arrows after each song to download. Enjoy. - The Broken Speaker


"CHS allumni chosen for iTunes single of the week"

When he recorded four rough tracks in a home studio in January 2009, Jon Bryant (CHS ’04) never thought his music would go international. But his newly released single, “deaf,” is being featured as the iTunes Single of the Week from December 29-January 5—a spot that could easily have gone to the likes of Norah Jones or Sting.
“We’re blown away to get this kind of exposure,” says Jordan Wiberg (CHS ’01), a friend of Jon’s who engineered, mixed, and produced the album. Both he and Jon were amazed when their single was chosen.
“God opened that door for sure!” says Jon.
After laying down the four tracks, Jon posted the audio to MySpace and sent the link to Jordan, who works in a post-production studio in Calgary. He was simply sharing his music with a friend—but Jordan took one listen and knew immediately he wanted to work with Jon to record the songs professionally.
They had no budget, but Jordan had free access to a studio on evenings and weekends, so over the course of several months, they recorded Two Coasts for Comfort, an 11-track album that Jon describes as acoustic folk/pop. (Think John Mayer or Jack Johnson. ) They released it (independently) in October.

Jon Bryant.
Photo by Kayla Maclellan (2009).The album is a memoir of the last four years of relationships, friendships, and the work of God in Jon’s life as he’s traveled from one end of the continent to the other. It was a long process of writing, erasing, and rewriting in pubs and coffee shops.
When people ask whether the album is “Christian,” “I never really know how to answer,” Jon says. “What makes music ‘Christian’?”
“I just want people to see God in a different way and not the typical way,” he continues. “I’m just a guy who wrote music, and I have a relationship with a God who loves me and I want people to know that. I’m not preaching, but I want people to accept it and understand it and want to know more.”
Both Jon and Jordan, who met at Caronport High School, credit some of their musical success to their time at CHS—Jon in particular, saying that singing in Caronport High School’s choir is what jump-started his singing. “I was never able to sing in front of people until Mr. Frostad gave me a solo,” he says. “I’m so thankful.”
Currently, Jon is studying illustration in Halifax (all of the art on the album is his) as he promotes Two Coasts for Comfort and prepares to shoot a music video in January. Jordan will produce and direct the video.
- Briercrest College


"Journey Leads to a Song"

Half a decade ago, Halifax native Jon Bryant packed his bags and journeyed across the sea to Europe "to travel and unravel the thread surrounding his purpose in life."

"While backpacking across the hills of Austria and breaking the soles of his dirt-stained feet in Greece, Jon began to write songs," continues the biography posted on his website. "Jon felt he was figuring out who he was in relation to himself, his place in the world and who he was before God.

"After this remarkable year, Jon moved to Seattle, to volunteer at various ministries and churches, where he was personally mentored. While living there, Jon was inspired to live a life against society's expectations. The call to return home came and so Jon left and enrolled at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. During his time of art education, Jon became serious about writing music."

Bryant, a singer-songwriter, has been to Calgary on a number of occasions and returns this weekend with a house concert tonight and a public concert Sunday night at the Ironwood Stage & Grill in Inglewood.

When asked what he hopes his audiences get from his music, Bryant said in an interview with the Herald: "Something real, I guess. I want to write music that makes people feel good, of course. I want to make music that makes people think as well and stretches their ideas and thoughts about things."

And how would he describe his style?

"Very singer-songwriter. It's got some elements of pop in there. A bit of jazz," he explains.

"I don't really have any sort of agenda with how I write. I just write about what I experience in life. It comes from a very real place. I'm not making songs for the sake of making songs. They're kind of just extensions of my thoughts because that's how I process things."

Bryant grew up in a Christian home. His father is a gospel singer and his parents raised the family of seven in a Christian evangelical environment with plenty of musical influences. He went to a Bible school in Greece and Austria.

His website is www.jonbryant.ca.

"I don't know how to explain my faith journey right now. I definitely ask a lot of questions. Some would call me a skeptic, others would call me just somebody who's searching. I don't have all the answers, but I feel like I have some," he says.

The messages of his songs are built on his faith.

"The experiences I have in life, faith always comes into it because it's the biggest part of my life. It's always from that kind of perspective," he says.

His songs reflect truth, life and love. His debut album, Two Coasts for Comfort, was released in late 2009.

Bryant was nominated for best new artist, digital artist and inspirational album of the year by Music Nova Scotia and received a Covenant Award nomination for folk/roots album of the year.

His concert at the Ironwood starts at 8 p.m. Sunday and tickets are $10.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

- The Calgary Herald


"Four Winter Stars"

Four Winter Stars - The Coast


"Coast to Coast"

“I will always have this nagging voice in the back of my head that won’t let me go. It’s been telling me for years to write and play music.”

Haligonian indie-folk troubadour Jon Bryant listened to that voice. Even if it meant that he had to busk on the streets, begging for alms. So, he picked up his guitar. And wrote.

So far his choice is looking like it might feed him one day. He penned a few songs and headed west to Calgary to run them past producer Jord Wiberg. “I knew Jord really well previous to working professionally with him. I knew the sounds and styles he was into and I felt that his knowledge and easy-to-work-with vibe would be perfect. I think a producer who is first and foremost a friend can either be the best or the worst situation for a musician. I apparently lucked out.”

Wiberg must have felt a little lucky as well during the production of what became Bryant’s debut album, Two Coasts for Comfort.

Indeed, the album has since been chosen as an iTunes Pick of the Month, produced a Starbucks Track of the Week, a video for his single, “Hallelujah” and earned the honey-voiced singer a nomination as the Gospel Music Association folk-roots album of the year, giving him a shot at the performance award at the very same gala. Not bad for an artist who, as it stands, is yet unsigned.

Interestingly, the latter award involved Bryant in a touch of controversy. It seems he had a lock on the prize but the hardly incendiary words “nicotine” and “whiskey,” from the infectious track “Texas Tea,” proved too offensive for the awards. Decisions were reversed, and the award was given to someone else.

In hindsight, would he change those lyrics? “Hells no! I was never really rattled (by the decision).... I guess whenever you go into a competition there will be biased opinions and as long as I do what I do and give the people in the audience a good performance, that’s all I’m concerned about.”

Doing what he does appears to mean that he’ll keep singing, laughing and, of course, giving the best performances possible, for which he is earning quite a reputation. Bryant hopes to showcase these talents more often. “I want to do lots of (touring). Canada, U.S., Europe. It’s really vague at the moment but I’m open to any opportunity that comes up. I’m recording in January and hope to release my second album in the fall of 2011.”

The bearded soul-searcher will bring his tall, lanky frame onto the stage at the Ironwood in Calgary on January 9. It’s a show he is looking forward to, not only because Calgary feels like a second home, but because the Ironwood is becoming a home of sorts as well. “I love it there. The new digs in the Garry Theatre is a great spot. The sound guy is sweet. The whole crew has been really good to me.” - FFWD Weekly - Calgary


"An impressive start for a talented musician and songwriter."

Two Coasts For Comfort: Album Review
Debut Record from Halifax Singer-Songwriter Jon Bryant

Nov 9, 2009 Sean McMullen

An impressive start for a talented musician and songwriter.

If Damien Rice and Dallas Green made music together, it would sound a lot like Halifax singer-songwriter Jon Bryant’s debut album Two Coasts for Comfort.

Released independently on October 28, 2009, the poignant 11 song record couldn’t have come any sooner for Bryant or his fans. After a fairytale journey of getting his music recorded for free in Calgary earlier this year, the finished product can only be described as a sigh of relief.

That said, Two Coasts for Comfort can be described as a watercolour painting. There are many layers and brushstrokes plastered over the canvas. Bryant has been playing and developing these songs for the past couple years in pubs and coffee houses across the country and the studio versions capitalize on these experiences.

Two Coasts For Comfort A Great Debut Record
His voice and music bleed together seamlessly and are sure to echo into the upper echelon of the listener’s mind. He was smart to keep the music simple the first time around. The acoustic guitar is the main instrument used with some subtle instrumentation and background vocals peppered throughout on songs like the City and Colour-esque "The Hallelujah" and the funk flavored "Texas Tea."

The simplicity and candid nature of the album won’t allow the listener to skip through the songs. The finger-picked "Seattle" perfectly captures the feel of the rainy city and the longing to go back to where you feel you belong.

One peculiar feature is the cover of the age-old hymn "Were You There." The rendition Bryant provides makes it fit well with the other songs and gives it new legs to stand on.

The Music Is Simple And It Works
Bryant articulately taps into the human condition on the six minute "Deaf". He explores his fear of living a life of comfort and safety, instead of journeying down the road to discovery. The unanticipated level of maturity this young songwriter shows in his lyrics is truly a gift.

“I’m still scared of routine/not quite broken in/cause when you’re on the untamed road/days don’t stay the same.”

As far as standout songs go, "The Hallelujah" is easily a contender. The lyrics are strong and the hand claps and distorted drum beat interspersed throughout give it a sense of gravity. The subtle reverb on Bryant’s voice makes his already strong voice carry the song with ease. The chorus is the highlight, with Bryant’s vocals showing the range he is capable of.

Bryant Shows Strength In Songwriting
“I still believe that God and man have similar groans/we’re looking for a drama played out on our own.”

Bryant sounds comfortable singing these tales of life, art, and spirituality. Truly, there is no line drawn between his life and his music. His songs are merely an extension of who he is.

Two Coasts for Comfort is a solid beginning for this talented musician on the inevitable music career he would have to be a fool not to take.

- http://indiemusic.suite101.com


"Comforting Coasts"

Comforting Coasts

A review of Jon Bryant's latest album.

By Jennifer Musgrave

Jon Bryant’s new CD Two Coasts for Comfort surrounds the listener with a familiarity that can only be described as honest. This is reflected in his use of studio talk to break down that invisible barrier between the actual person singing the song and the one listening to it. Beginning the CD this way - and even, in one song, restarts it at the beginning betraying a strong sense of realism. The music predominantly uses a primary acoustic guitar with others backing up it up at different times. However, Bryant also brings in other instruments for various songs such as violin, piano, and even an accordion (for the song “Were You There”). He’s not opposed to other musical conventions, though, as he includes clapping and stomping. and a harmonized female voice on “Hallelujah”.

His voice itself conveys a calm tiredness that lends a strong, serious demeanour to what he’s doing, while at the same time allowing himself to sound emotional and begging. He also adds a subtle echo to the vocals which when added to his soft voice gives a feeling of reminiscence. In some songs Bryant re-emphasizes this by using repetition in a way that makes you picture a black and white film reel repeating over and over. This strong feeling of nostalgia, coupled with lyrics about love and even religion, runs through the entire track list. In one song he overlaps his voice with a speech about Jesus Christ and the cheering that goes with it. Some songs even have a tendency to sound like hymns such as “Hallelujah” and “Were You There.”

At times the music can also be twangy and have a slightly Western feel to it, but Bryant is careful to make sure the music remains true to his own style. His lyrics could be considered at times to be poetic while at others completely simple. It’s really up to the listener to decide what’s deliberate and what’s not. The song “Deaf” was probably the pinnacle of his work with lyrics like “the poor won’t stop the fights” and “the deaf need better reasons to strum a different chord.” Overall, the music was beautiful in its melancholy, its strength and character conveyed through nicely contrasting styles. Two Coasts for Comfort is a good album, with a warm folk style that’s just perfect to listen to on those really bad days. If you’re a fan of City and Color, Jon Bryant will probably suit your style. - Jennifer Musgrave


Discography


Albums

Two Coasts for Comfort - Oct 2009
Me, My Guitar and Songs I Like - Feb 2012
What Takes You - May 2012

Albums streaming on Spotify, Pandora and Bandcamp.

"Evening Sun" Selected for use in the hit Television drama "Rookie Blue". Season 2, Episode 13
"David Livingstone" selected for use in the Hit Television show "Degrassi"
"The Weekend" selected for use in the critically acclaimed HBO comedy "Less Than Kind"

"Deaf", featured as the "Single of the Week" for iTunes Canada from December 29th, 2009 to January 5th 2010

Debut album "two coasts for comfort" featured in the "Canadiana" and "Singer/Songwriter" sections of itunes

Featured live in studio artist on CBC Atlantic Airwaves in January 2011.

Festival Performances at "In the Dead of Winter", "NXNE" "Canada Music Week".

Showcasing Artist at ECMA's, MNS and the Junos

Featured artist numerous times on Halifax's Q104 weekly program "Route 104"

"Two Coasts for Comfort" and "What Takes You" recieving airplay on :

CJSW, Universite of Calgary
CFRC, Kingston
CFBU, St Catharines
CJAM, Windsor
CKXU, Lethbridge
CKUA, Edmonton
CIUT, Toronto
CIVL, Abbotsford
CHRY, Toronto
CKUM, Moncton
CFBX, Kamloops
CKUW, Winnipeg
CHMA, Sackville
CJUM, Winnipeg

Photos

Bio

Angelic Highs and Sweet Somber lows... Words used to describe the sounds and styles of Halifax born singer/songwriter, Jon Bryant. His new album, "What Takes You", (according to mpodia.com) is nothing short of love at first sight! With a blend of of Ryan Adams, the melancholy of Jeff Buckley and the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel, Jon Bryant is a welcome addition to any singer/songwriter enthusiasts music library. With a flight attendant for a mother and a gospel singer for a father, Bryant is a traveller at heart with a soul for storytelling. After graduating from art school in 2011, Jon began touring full-time around the world. Bryant has seen great success at every turn. In short, he has been featured as the iTunes "Singer/Songwriter Album of the Year" and "Single of the Week" with major TV placements as well as numerous CGMA, ECMA and Music Nova Scotia Award nominations.