It’s show time Friday night for the folksy indie artist Jon Bryant.
He’s been on the road for weeks and is heading to Chilliwack for a show Nov. 14 at the Acoustic Emporium.
The Progress asked him if he’s been working more intensely lately on recording or performing.
“Recording and writing aren’t keeping me too busy right now,” Bryant replied. “It’s mostly touring to be honest. By December 23rd I’ll have played 65 shows.”
It’s been a very busy fall for this Halifax native.
“The PEAK Performance Project has also been huge part of my life the last few months.
“However, when the tours are all done, I’m going into the studio this December and January to record a new album.”
Does he come from a musical family?
“My dad was and still is a gospel singer so for as long as I can remember I have been surrounded by music.
“My parents put me into piano lessons when I was 5 and I started teaching myself drums and guitar shortly after.”
He has been teaching himself banjo and touring with a bluegrass group for the past year.
What artists does he play for his own pleasure?
“Right now, I’ve been listening to Allison Krauss, Gillian welch, James Taylor, Jeff Buckley and Paul Simon,” he says. “They get me through the worst of times.”
One of the hallmarks of his songs is their ability to be interpreted in multiple ways, according to his bio.
Bryant takes this dichotomy even deeper on the dreamy and languid song, Evening Sun, off his album What Takes You, by drawing a parallel between the importance and rapture of finding someone to love in this life, with the notion of setting your eyes upon the Lord. Bryant’s decision to refrain from having these songs be about one specific thing was a conscious decision on his part.
“I like the way music can draw one specific reaction from one person and another very distinct reaction from another,” he says. “I feel if I give away too much information about these songs, they will somehow lose their power and ability to do that.”
Jon Bryant, Friday, Nov. 14, at the Acoustic Emporium (The Vineyard Centre, 45892 Wellington Ave.) at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). Tickets $10 at the door. www.acousticemporium.com.
