BONFIRE BLOG PART 1: Bonfire ball hits the road... and ends up in Bucksnort Tennessee (2010-03-14)
Our trailer is jammed and we haven't even stuffed our luggage in yet. Thank God Jason and the Zeus boys pack light. A small suitcase each for 6 weeks on the road. Somehow we manage to jam them under the van seats and pile in. We spend the ride to London rocking out to Queen. I think these guys are almost as good at air guitar as they are at the real thing... The Bonfire Ball Tour kicked off with a bang four nights ago in Toronto with Lee\s Palace rammed to capacity. Another packed show at Ebar in Guelph. Jason got his first fan gift of the tour – a fanny pack courtesy of Lauren. I think we'll use it to store our air guitar picks. Thanks Lauren! Last night was London, probably the best show so far. After the gig, we headed back to the hotel where Neil got some funky looks from the staff when he stumbled into the lobby with a big ol' garbage bag full of beers instead of luggage. After 16 hours of straight driving we stop for the night in Bucksnort Tennessee. Our waitress tells us that the place was named after a hunter named Buck who made moonshine. Locals used to say they were going to “Buck's to get a Snort”. Back to the road!
2010-03-20 @ 04:59 by Luke
Who is Mother Zeus? Rat a Tat Tat is extremely good, blows my mind, it beat all expectations I may have had. I'm holding out to buy the cd when I see the band in Northampton - so no canceling :)
Rat A Tat Tat Available Today (2010-03-09)
Rat A Tat Tat,the latest from Jason Collett is available today at your local record store and at GalleryAC and all online retailers. Jason hits the road starting tomorrow alongside Zeus and Bahamas and will be playing multiple shows in Austin for SXSW. Click here for all show details.
Rat A Tat Tattrack listing: 01. Rave On Sad Songs 02. Lake Superior 03. Love Is A Dirty Word 04. Bitch City 05. High Summer 06. Cold Blue Halo 07. Love Is A Chain 08. Long May You Love 09. The Slowest Dance 10. Winnipeg Winds 11. Vanderpool Vanderpool
When you are watching the Academy Awards this Sunday, look out for a short film called "The Heart". Featuring Jason Collett's "Blue Sky", from Motor Motel Love Songs, the film serves as a public service announcement for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. To learn more and to donate to the cause, please visit http://www.facebook.com/LoveYourHeart
Jason Collett, Zeus and Bahamas announced last month the Canadian portion of their Bonfire Ball Tour, and now they will be bringing the revue night to fans in the US as well. The tour kicks off in March at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, before heading to SXSW in Austin then continues west through San Francisco and Seattle across Canada and the U.S. midwest, wrapping with two nights in New York late April. New dates are listed below.
03/17/2010 Austin, TX SXSW 03/18/2010 Austin, TX SXSW 03/19/2010 Austin, TX SXSW 03/20/2010 Austin, TX SXSW 03/23/2010 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord 03/25/2010 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern 04/04/2010 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry 04/06/2010 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre 04/07/2010 Chicago, IL Schubas (Two Shows Early/Late) 04/20/2010 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live 04/21/2010 Northampton, MA Iron Horse 04/23/2010 New York, NY Mercury Lounge # 04/24/1020 Brooklyn, NY Union Hall
all dates w/Jason Collett, Zeus and Bahamas, except: # Jason Collett only
2010-03-01 @ 08:48 by Luk
Northampton!! Yes, thanks. I'm looking forward to the show.
To Wit To Woo (2010-01-21)
In addition to the March 9 release of Jason Collett’s fourth full-length, Rat A Tat Tat, Collett has announced the To Wit To Woo EP, featuring six songs recorded during album sessions, to be made available digitally and on Collett’s just announced spring Bonfire Ball tour.
Rat A Tat Tatand To Wit To Woo were recorded in the summer and fall of 2009, largely on the east side of Toronto at Ill Eagle, Carlin Nicholson and Mike O’Brien of Zeus’ studio. Zeus, Collett’s long time backing band contributed throughout both releases along with a bevy of guests. Rat a Tat Tatis Jason Collett at his most playful, robust and revelatory. A true marvel.
The Bonfire Ball tour, a true revue, with Zeus and Bahamas performing one long set, together and apart, was announced last week, kicking off at Canada Music Week on March 10th, continuing through SXSW, out west and across the great north on both sides of the border. Additional dates will be announced shortly.
For a free download of the EP track, “Little Tiger”, click here.
Jason Collett, Zeus and Bahamas have announced a North American revue tour featuring all three artists performing together and alone during a night long set of incredible music. The three acts have a long history of collaboration, as intertwined as their musical lineage. Instead of the typical show in which each act plays its own set, Collett, Zeus and Bahamas will all take the stage together, playing songs by all three.
The tour comes on the heels of new albums for Collett (Rat A Tat Tat, March 9) and Zeus (Say Us, February 23), and songs from both will be featured throughout the evening. The Bonfire Ball will kick off in March at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, wrapping in Kingston, April 17. Dates are below, with more to be announced.
03/10/2010 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace 03/11/2010 Guelph, ON E-Bar 03/12/2010 London, ON Call The Office 03/13/2010 Hamilton, ON Casbah 03/26/2010 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore 03/27/2010 Victoria, BC Sugar 03/29/2010 Canmore, AB Communitea 03/31/2010 Edmonton, AB The Pawn Shop 04/01/2010 Calgary, AB The Gateway 04/02/2010 Regina, SK The Exchange 04/03/2010 Winnipeg, MB West End Cultural Centre 04/13/2010 Waterloo, ON Starlight 04/14/2010 Ottawa, ON Zaphod's 04/15/2010 Montreal, QC Petit Campus 04/16/2010 Peterborough, ON Red Dog Tavern 04/17/2010 Kingston, ON Grad Club
2010-01-17 @ 21:03 by Luke
How about a show around Albany, NY. A nice centralized area is Northampton MA. Lots of decent venues.
2010-01-24 @ 10:33 by Alex
Is ticketmaster the only way to get tickets for the Lee's Show?
2010-01-29 @ 18:14 by kate
how about a show in boston, ma, please?!
2010-02-11 @ 18:39 by leif (http://www.littleriverfolk.com)
please come east. we'll host you right.
Rat A Tat Tat (2009-12-09)
On the heels of what has been an ecstatic start to the holiday season, last night's second installment of the third annual Jason Collett's Basement Revue saw Collett debut songs from his forthcoming album Rat A Tat Tat, to a sold out and enthusiastic crowd. Arts & Crafts is excited to announce details for the new album from Jason Collett, set for official release on March 9, 2010 in North America.
Mixed by Robbie Lackritz (Feist, Jamie Lidell), Rat A Tat Tat was recorded and produced in Toronto by the duo of Carlin Nicholson and Michael O'Brien. The pair comprise one half of Collett's label mates, Zeus, whose members have performed as Collett's backing band since the 2005 release of his acclaimed Idols of Exile album. Visit here for a free download of the song "Love Is A Dirty Word", and for further details on the album, please visit the release page.
Rat A Tat Tattrack listing: 01. Rave On Sad Songs 02. Lake Superior 03. Love Is A Dirty Word 04. Bitch City 05. High Summer 06. Cold Blue Halo 07. Love Is A Chain 08. Long May You Love 09. The Slowest Dance 10. Winnipeg Winds 11. Vanderpool Vanderpool
2010-01-21 @ 07:41 by Luke
I'm really looking forward to your new release. I'm a big fan. I had a thought about what a great show it would be if you hooked up with Chuck Prophet for a gig in my apartment. But, I'd take a show close by. Please consider dipping down around Albany, NY or Northampton Mass. for a show, I'll do what I can for promotion.
Best of luck with the new album!
Andrew Cash Fundraiser (2009-12-08)
Jason Collett will be in Vancouver next Sunday afternoon (December 13) to support Andrew Cash's campaign fundraiser. It takes place at the Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir at Seymour) from 4pm to 7pm. Other artists include Wykham Porteous, Pony and AC himself.
Since 2007, Jason Collett has played host to a very successful, multi-disciplinary variety show featuring some of Canada’s most talented artists — musicians, songwriters, poets, and raconteurs — coming together in a cross-pollinating showcase in the intimate setting of Toronto’s Dakota Tavern. With great pleasure, Jason Collett announces details for the third installment of the series titled, “Jason Collett’s Basement Revue,” which will take place every Tuesday evening this coming December. Tickets are available now at Soundscapes and Rotate This!.
2009-11-24 @ 12:44 by rocketbride
i'm betting on december 8 being the best show, because that's the only one i can see...
New Song (2009-11-06)
While the new Jason Collett album is still a few months off, you can check out a brand new song via the CBC Radio 3 podcast, take a listen here. Stay tuned for further details on the upcoming album.
City Sonic short films will have their world premiere as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s "TIFF in Concert" program at Yonge and Dundas Square. The Jason Collett at Kensington Market piece, directed by Peter Lynch will be shown September 18th at 12pm.
Director: Peter Lynch, 2009 Singer/songwriter Jason Collett has lived all over Toronto, but he feels most connected to Kensington Market. This unique neighbourhood features not only diverse music venues, shopping and food markets, but a history of art and social activism. For his latest album, Jason even penned a tribute to one of Kensington’s earliest figures, called “Angel of Kensington.” Now he takes us into Paul’s Boutique music shop to try out the vintage gear and discuss how the vibrant cultural community there has shaped his life and music. Featuring exclusive live performance of a new unreleased song and a tour of Jason’s favourite Kensington haunts, this reflective portrait reveals an artist with deep roots.
2009-09-29 @ 08:56 by Andrew
Beautiful montage, well shot. Music, to die for.
Neil Young Tribute Airing On CBC (2009-06-26)
The Neil Young Tribute at Massey Hall that featured Mr. Jason Collett will be broadcast live in two parts on the CBC starting this coming Monday. The times are listed below, and you can find further details at the Radio 2 Concerts on Demand web site.
Monday June 29th - C-Live, 7 PM EST, Radio 2 - Part 1 Monday July 6th - C-Live, 7 PM EST, Radio 2 - Part 2
Jason Playing Massey Hall With Steve Earle (2009-06-03)
Jason will be performing an intimate solo acoustic set opening for Steve Earle, July 11th at Toronto's historic Massey Hall. Tickets are available here..
Jason Collett will join the Weakerthans for a West Coast swing of US cities, starting in Seattle on July 18 and finishing up in Portland July 25. Jason will be performing solo, previewing songs from his upcoming album and mixing in favourites from his catalogue. For full details on these dates click here.
Jason Collett will be playing a few shows during North By Northeast this year, previewing material from his upcoming 2009 album. In addition to his Courthouse appearance at the Arts & Crafts showcase, he will be playing the Horseshoe Tavern on June 20 as part of the CBC Radio Showcase. You can find details on these events here.
2009-06-22 @ 16:00 by brian nemett
jason,
your shout-out to the CBC at the NXNE show was awesome.
Canada needs more artists willing to
speak up for our public airwaves!
Collett to play Neil Young Tribute Show (2009-05-20)
Jason will be joining Cowboy Junkies, the Bill Frisell Trio and a host of others on June 10 for The Canadian Songbook: A Tribute to Neil Young's Live at Massey Hall as part of the Luminato Festival at in Toronto. For more details and ticket information please visit their website.
Jason Collett's "In Session" will air on BOLD TV (CBC Digital) on Thursday February 19 at 6pm and 10pm ET. BOLD TV is CBC's digital arts channel. Check this link to find your local channel.
Jason Collett's 2nd Annual Basement Revue (2008-11-21)
Jason Collett is once again bringing his "Basement Revue" to Toronto's Dakota Tavern every Tuesday in December. The second annual installment of Jason's highly successful residency will build on last year's format, with Jason hosting and performing, and will feature a diverse and eclectic lineup of talented friends and local artists. Last year's shows included such treats as an impromptu Broken Social Scene jam, a poetry reading from Andrew Whiteman, a sneak preview of Charles Spearin's The Happiness Project, and a one-of-a-kind interactive cooking demonstration from celebrity chef Michael P. Clive. The December 9th show will be guest hosted by Kevin Drew in Jason's absence. Tickets are available now at Soundscapes, Rotate This, and Criminal Records, as well as online at GalleryAC. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank.
2010-03-20 @ 04:59 by Luke Who is Mother Zeus? Rat a Tat Tat is extremely good, blows my mind, it beat all expectations I may have had. I'm holding out to buy the cd when I see the band in Northampton - so no canceling :)