Chris Janz

A home demo is mailed out to a handful of radio stations strictly as a means of getting feedback from industry professionals. The programmers listen, like what they hear, and slip a song called "Over You" into light rotation. Starting with KISS-FM in Vancouver, the phones light up and the spins increase. Within a matter of months the song has been added to several play lists, charting in the Top Ten at many and as high as #1 or #2 on some.

"It was thrilling but also a complete shock and surprise," admits Chris Janz, the now 29-year-old Abbotsford, B.C. singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist responsible for that unparalleled bedroom demo. The fact that Chris is the talented son of Canadian recording artist and Juno Award-winner Paul Janz undoubtedly gave him an initial edge.

Yet it was the song itself – a sweeping, expertly crafted pop number from an artist favorably compared to Savage Garden by the influential U.S. music columnist Bob Lefsetz – that had listeners calling in with questions about the mystery singer with the soulful, yearning voice.

Rather than rushing out a commercial release to capitalize on the airplay, Chris bided his time, continuing his professional life as a producer/engineer while writing, recording and polishing an album’s worth of strong material. Fly, his Pacific Music / Warner Music debut, proves the wait has paid dividends. The collection of 13 warmly upbeat adult pop tunes marks the formal debut of a bright new presence in Canadian music.