Jason Willows

About

Jason Willows was born in New York and lives currently makes art in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His warm vocal tone, reminiscent of crooners, juxtaposes against thumping bass and distorted guitars. They have had a diverse career in the arts as an actor, teacher, multi-instrumentalist, and now producer. He started making waves in the jazz scene just after high school, performing & recording with Derrick Gardner and Ron Paley's Big Band. In 2017, he began writing original music with local art phenom, Chelsey Young, in the jazz/folk duo Two Hip. Since then they have performed in Canadian festivals (Winnipeg Jazz, Festival du Voyaguer, Winnipeg Folk) as well as several theatre productions (Life's Lyrics, Jesus Christ Superstar, It's A Wonderful Life).

Willows’ newest release, ‘You’re Doing Great’ was written and recorded over the past five years. Many of the tracks were recorded as a trio live off the floor with bassist Joey Penner (Waking Eyes, VVonder) and drummer Kevin Waters (Super Duty Tough Work, Ami Cheon). An eclectic layering of sound and instruments bring the album to life, including saxophone, accordion, lap steel, slamming doors, bird calls and synthetic strings. The project was dually recorded in Willows’ bedroom studio and at Paintbox Studios, produced by local legends Lloyd Peterson (The Weakerthans, Luke Doucet) and Rusty Robot (The Waking Eyes, Imaginary Cities).

You’re doing great is a deeply personal account of artistic doubt, the quest towards self-affirmation, and overcoming a generational angst. It begins with the blues rock anthem, “Never See the Sun”, a snapshot of Winnipeg’s long, dark winters. “Deja Vu” captures the double image that is created between our childhood and adulthood, while addressing a tendency to hold onto past grievances and old identities. The nostalgic “Fate of a 90’s Kid” is charged with timestamped references, celebrating a resistance to ennui by embracing our own choices, and reminding everyone that there is no such thing as a guilty pleasure.

The album title is a personal catch phrase developed through various health crisis and a global pandemic. Offering out this positive affirmation of you’re doing great, especially in a particularly tumultuous, awkward or grim situation, would often garner a smirk or laugh. This stems from my belief that we are all connected in an infinite web of consciousness, and our own individual scope of struggle, joy and trauma distracts from this oneness. The song “Honey” embodies this unbridled positivity and reiterates that we all are doing the best with what we’ve got.

LISTEN / WATCH / STREAM HERE -> linktr.ee/jasonwillows

Bad Gardening Advice review 

"Jason has effortlessly whipped off two beautiful and timeless singles as his first two releases. They are reminiscent of the wisdom, comfort and whimsy of Ron Sexsmith and Rufus Wainright, with modern flavour profiles hinting at Vampire Weekend and Andy Shauf."- Rusty Matyas (Waking Eyes, Imaginary Cities)