Music
Press
Thu, June 29, 2006
If the likes of John Mayer and the Goo Goo Dolls can make crowds swoon with some sensitive acoustic balladry, then Jason Mercer is likely to become the Forest City's heartthrob troubadour.
Mercer was certainly brought up with music around him; his mother sang in church while his father conducted brass bands. Later, Mercer picked up the guitar and surprised his high school peers with his previously unseen skills at the school's talent showcase.
Having already won this year's London Music Award for most popular singer/songwriter and spreading his tenderly sung melodies through his debut album, Mercer is on a solid track to developing a loyal fanbase.
Of course, he's counted among some of the best popular music acts at The University of Western Ontario; the school's Bands and Songwriter's Society included Mercer on its charity compilation disc Western Rocks, released earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the hometown favourite is playing regularly throughout the summer, making stops at a variety of pubs, cafes, bookstores and his homebase -- the Merla Mae Ice Cream shop -- to promote his coffeehouse-style folk pop.
He'll play at the Wits End Pub tomorrow at 10 p.m. There's no cover charge.
- The London Free Press (2006)
Discography
"Jason Mercer" - 2005
Photos
Bio
With the release of his debut CD, Jason Mercer’s music has made its way across the local scene, leaving an unforgettable mark wherever it is played. A refreshing brand of singer/songwriter, Jason has been grabbing the attention of promoters and event coordinators across Southwestern Ontario.
Born in London, Ontario, Jason grew up in what was undeniably a musical environment. Taking direction from his father, a brass band conductor, Jason took an interest in music early in his childhood, learning to sing by listening to the passionate melody and harmonies that his mother sang in church. It was only later in life when he combined his passionate, melodic voice with the rhythm of the guitar that he found his sound. Jason began performing for whoever would hear him, using a local ice cream shop as his home base. When word spread about the young, talented musician, it wasn’t long before he was being booked for private shows and showcases, gaining recognition and support from not only the London music community, but all of Ontario as well.
His live show is an intimate experience with the audience. Whether he is singing one of his original songs or a cover song of one of his influential artists, his bare and honest performance captures the listener’s attention. A predominantly acoustic style, Jason matches emotional, thought-provoking lyrics with a smooth and melodic tune, while he strums steady and driving rhythms on his guitar. He believes that at the heart of each song should be a strong melody, good harmonies and good lyrics, and that’s just what his first all-original, five-song project has accomplished.
In the meantime, Jason has been playing anywhere from charity fundraisers to opening for rock concerts, and is steadily gaining a fan-base in his hometown and surrounding area while attending the University of Western Ontario in Popular Music studies. Having earned himself a 2006 London Music Award, 2007 London Music Award nomination for most popular singer/songwriter, as well as generous radio play, he is hoping to use this recognition to continue to expose his music to the public.
Links
