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FYI

Jesse Northey: Soul Seeker

A warm and melodic tune with tinges of psychedelia.

Jesse Northey: Soul Seeker

By Kerry Doole

Jesse Northey - Soul Seeker (Victory Pool Records): Onion Knight, the new album from this Canadian indie singer/songwriter, came out earlier this week, preceded by the single Soul Seeker.


This well-crafted pop tune has tinges of psychedelia and hints of the '70s in its lush production and prominent keyboards. Northey's vocals are warm and mellow, and he comes up with nifty lines like "my head is thicker than a London fog." The work of Andy Shauf  and Harry Nilsson are valid reference points.

The tune is accompanied by an eye-catching video, directed by J.S. de Courcy, who explains it this way: "Nobody steals boats anymore, especially ones without motors. This is maritime counterpoint; three movements of passion with a finale of love."

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Although a producer himself, Northey recruited Thomas D’Arcy (The Sheepdogs, NOBRO, Yukon Blonde) for this role on the album, recorded at Taurus Studios in Toronto.

In a label press release describing the album, Northey notes that “Onions are associated with crying. I wanted to conjure imagery that confronts the stoic heroism associated with masculinity and take a jab at it.”

Northey's songwriting prowess has earned him a place on the elite High Priestess Publishing roster. As the leader of Jesse & The Dandelions, he has shared stages with Hollerado, Said the Whale, and July Talk, and toured extensively in Japan. His varied resume includes heading Victory Pool Records, a record label and management company working with the likes of Witch Prophet, The Deep Dark Woods, Marlaena Moore, Ghost Woman and OMBIIGIZI.

Northey is now playing dates in Western Canada and is at Toronto's The Garrison on Sept. 2. Itinerary here.

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Publicity: Ken Beattie, Killbeat

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Hillside Festival poster
Artwork by Alyah Holmes

Hillside Festival poster

Concerts

Guelph, Ontario's Hillside Festival Gets Richard Thompson, Aysanabee, Patrick Watson for 2024 Edition

Running July 19-21, the Ontario summer favourite's eclectic lineup also featuresBry Webb, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) and Jim White.

Long one of the most popular Ontario summer music fests, Hillside returns to Guelph Lake Island, July 19-21. The just-announced lineup features artists from Australia, South Africa, Morocco, Benin and Cameroon as well as notable names from across Canada and the U.S.

Heading that list are British folk legend Richard Thompson, roots rock supertrio Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, with guests Daniel Lanois and Terra Lightfoot, the Polaris-winning Patrick Watson, Ashley MacIsaac, recent Juno winner Aysanabee, former Constantines frontman Bry Webb, long-running indie rock band Land of Talk, The Messthetics (which features Joe Lally and Brendan Canty from Fugazi) and American indie faves Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) and Jim White.

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