REID JAMIESON BIO

"Achingly beautiful songs....
a haunting quality not soon forgotten"
Globe & Mail

Reid Jamieson is a classic Canadian heartbreaker with an incredible voice and a magical way with melodies. Born and raised in Toronto, Reid recently moved west to beautiful Vancouver BC to write and record a new album while performing as a regular member of CBC’s Vinyl Cafe Orchestra.

In 2004 Reid independently released an alt-country gem titled THE UNAVOIDABLE TRUTH to much critical acclaim. Self-penned and produced by Josh Finlayson
(Gord Downie Band, Skydiggers) the disc featured guest appearances from Sarah Harmer and Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco).

2007 found Reid releasing a rather unintentional 50s era tribute to Elvis entitled THE PRESLEY SESSIONS. Initially recorded as a gift for his long time sweetheart, this tender offering highlighted Reid's powerful abilities as a gifted interpreter of classic and cult tunes, as evidenced on free cover tracks he regularly posts to his web site. From Lionel Ritchie to Mary Margaret O'Hara - he even takes requests!

In the fall of 2009 a stripped down preview of 6 new original tracks could be heard on the limited run EP COURTING JUNIPER produced by Byron Kent Wong (David Usher, The Crystal Method). Garden gnomes, trains and no less than three proposals (!) can be found in the lyrics of this unabashedly romantic collection.

2010 and his new full length, all original (and self funded) album STARING CONTEST is ready and features Samantha Parton (Be Good Tanyas), Anne Lindsay (Blue Rodeo) and John Sheard. Recorded at various home studios with good pal Michael Frost of Blackfish Sound in Vancouver and mastered by Joao Carvalho. In stores and on iTunes Sept 2010.

On stage Reid has a way of connecting with an audience that is at once intimate and universal,
whether solo or with talented friends. Along with his compelling vocal style and impressive guitar work
are songs that draw you in with cautionary tales of love and lies, causing tears and laughter by turns.
You won't want to miss what he does next so please stay tuned for more from this tender troubadour.

File w/ Roy Orbison, Neil Finn, Jeff Buckley & Damien Rice.

"After Reid appeared on the Vinyl Cafe we received tremendous feedback from our audience. He stole the show...He blew me away." Stuart McLean - CBC Vinyl Cafe

60 words/350 characters:

"Achingly beautiful songs" Globe & Mail.  Vancouver’s Reid Jamieson has a stellar voice & magical way with melodies. A compelling performer & regular member of CBC’s Vinyl Cafe, Reid has a new EP Courting Juniper produced by Byron Wong (David Usher, Crystal Method) with full album later this year. File w/ Jeff Buckley, Damien Rice, Neil Finn.

200 words/1200 characters:

Reid Jamieson is a classic Canadian heartbreaker with an incredible voice and a magical way with melodies. Born and raised in Toronto, Reid now resides in beautiful Vancouver BC  and performs regularly with CBC’s Vinyl Cafe. In 2004 Reid released an alt-country gem titled The Unavoidable Truth produced by Josh Finlayson (Gord Downie, Skydiggers) featuring Sarah Harmer and Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco). 2007 found Reid releasing a rather unintentional 50s era tribute to Elvis entitled The Presley Sessions. Initially recorded as a gift for his long time sweetheart this tender offering highlighted Reid's powerful abilities as an interpreter of classic and cult tunes, as evidenced on free cover tracks he regularly posts to his web site.  In 2010 the finishing touches are being put on a new album of original songs to be released later in the year. A stripped down preview of six tracks can be heard on the November 2009 limited run EP Courting Juniper produced by Byron Kent Wong (David Usher, The Crystal Method). Garden gnomes, trains and no less than three proposals (!) can be found within the lyrics of this unabashedly romantic collection. "Achingly beautiful songs" Globe & Mail 

Press:

The Presley Sessions

"Prepare to be surprised..."- Vancouver Province

"Absolutely gorgeous"
- Maverick (UK)

"A solo, handcrafted effort, with the honey-sweet crooner...(and the) ladies swooned"
- Brad Wheeler / Globe & Mail

'Beautifully done...a truly authentic voice.' - Molly Johnson

"Ultimately more enjoyable for it's simplicity... a tribute in the original sense of the word"
- Veg News (US)

The Unavoidable Truth

'Jamieson's songs are unabashedly crisp (take that, Bonnie Prince!), drenched in wistful piano/guitar melodies, and centered on his satin whisper.' - CNET.com

"Neither derivative nor nostalgic...The Unavoidable Truth, is a work of elegant, understated beauty that juggles elements of plaintive folk, rock and countrified pop while enveloping the listener in the atmospheric glow of his soulful vocals."
- Paste Magazine (4 to Watch For)

'Well-constructed pop treasures that rival Glenn Tilbrook's compositional prowess and the emotionally potent presentation of Jeff Buckley... gorgeous, unbridled voice beams thoughtful lyrics over a vintage country-inspired band.'
- MilesOfMusic.com

'Lovers of classic quality should acquire without hesitation. - Comes With A Smile - UK

'Toronto boy kicks Josh Rouse’s ass crooning indie-soul-country classics all of his own making...your life will be better with this music in it.'- Americana UK

'More than just another promising upstart...rootsy, mellow and honey-sweet.' - Toronto Life

"The Unavoidable Truth showcases a talented and tender young artist with seemingly limitless potential and a total package that screams mainstream accessibility without losing credibility. Take that, John Mayer." - Glorious Noise Chicago IL

'An intelligent, eclectic-pop tunesmith with a rich voice in the tradition of Neil Finn or Glenn Tilbrook, but his short, sharp songs are more guileless, emotionally honest and vulnerable.' - Eye Magazine

'I can't wait to hear more from this talented artist, and predict big things to come' - Roots Music Report, Texas

'Look out for this cat. He's a break away from launch.' - Puremusic.com, Nashville

'Excellent! There are so many good songs, the production really supports them. Reid is certainly an artist who should get a good shot...'
-Earl Rosen 2003 ( Marquis Classics, Socan)

The Noise In My Chest:

'A thing of beauty... Irresistible!
- Eye Magazine November 2003
Holiday Record Buying Guide

-'Arresting...a simple acoustic backdrop for his dazzling voice...'
Mary Dickie, Toronto Sun - October 21, 2003

Reid Live:

"After Reid appeared on the Vinyl Cafe we received tremendous feedback from our audience. He stole the show...He blew me away." Stuart McLean - CBC Vinyl Cafe

'Utterly charming on stage, Jamieson kept a packed room in pin-drop silence... He caressed the notes with his honey-sweet croon, held a space for us all with the clarity of his vision, intent and purpose, and melted hearts throughout the set.' - Umbrella Music NXNE 2004

'In a few short bars Reid stole the show ...there's no doubt that his true calling is the stage.'
- Now Magazine December 2003

'No matter where you stood ... it was like he was singing directly for you. The George Clooney of the music scene, dripping in boyish charm. Remember this one . ' (score 95!) -Chart Attack - NXNE 2003

'The adorable frontman of now folded local outfit ALVY is one of the most underrated talents in town. ...his earnest take on natural woman, blew the roof off the house...' - Now Magazine - BoysPlayGirls, Hughs room

A man about a song...

At home in Canada Reid Jamieson's voice and engaging performances have melted a lot of hearts lately. Cheaper than therapy and always entertaining, this silver-throated lad has been channeling his own version of Elvis since he was a youth. That said, his vintage flavour and strong song writing abilities seem to belie his actual age. Much like his inspirations (Willie Nelson, Neil Finn, Nick Lowe & Paul McCartney), his appeal spans generations and genres, allowing him to work with a variety of diverse artists and fit into many different record collections.

His career as a musician all started back in the 90s when Reid's former pop-rock band Alvy played around the Toronto music scene gathering a devoted audience and respect from peers. Their first release No Assembly Required was produced by Dave Bidini of the Rheostatics, followed by the self produced Pop Shop.

It didn't take long before Reid realized he needed to be on his own. Reid's first independent solo album, Cowlick Bravado, released in November 2001, was produced, performed and written entirely by himself. This charming nine song CD showcased a mixture of pop, folk, old country and rock and was most certainly a labour of love. And who hasn't fallen in love with the hugging nuts on it's cover?

In October 2003 Reid released The Noise In My Chest, a sparse solo acoustic EP, at the launch of the popular Maple Lounge upstairs at the Rivoli, where he was discovered by Canada's favourite story teller Stuart McLean and CBC's Vinyl Cafe. Although just an appetizer to the new album, much critical praise followed this simple offering, including four stars from Toronto's Eye Magazine.

In 2004 Reid found himself ready to take the full blown beauty of The Unavoidable Truth as far as he could, performing solo or with a compliment of talented friends. Featuring Josh Finlayson, Sarah Harmer & Bob Egan, this Alt Country flavoured disc continues to find new fans far and wide.

2007 found Reid releasing a rather unintentional fifties era tribute to the late Elvis entitled The Presley Sessions. Originally intended as a birthday present for his sweetheart, this classic collection of not-so-overplayed hits became a limited edition album that has received airplay all over the world.

Well, it's 2009 and recording has begun on the next record of all original music. You won't want to miss what Reid does next...

On a personal note:

Now 6'2" with eyes of blue, Reid was born much smaller in Toronto, Ontario in 1973. When Reid was a baby something was not quite right with his legs and so they had to break both of them, and set them in tiny little casts. At the age of four his father's work had the family move briefly to Germany where Reid began school. The language barrier left him feeling very different from the other kids and so painful shyness became the norm for him. Raised in Brampton, Ontario with his younger brother Davis, Reid lived a sweet middle class life until tragedy hit when he lost his mom to cancer in his early teens. She was only 35 years old. Reid then turned obsessively to his guitar for comfort and escape, preferring old fashioned standards to the music that surrounded him in the eighties. Growing up his dad often sang and played old country tunes on a nylon string guitar that Reid still owns. To this day no family gathering is complete without a good sing-a-long.

Despite being so shy that real dates with real girls didn't occur until long after high school, Reid chose the rather public pursuit of performing and recording as his passion. He credits his supportive father and being surrounded by creative peers as his inspiration to make music with his life. His mother's brother, Uncle Garry, also influenced Reid with his ginormous record collection and spectacular taste in music. Since moving to Vancouver Island Reid has become close with with another musical family member, his great uncle Howie James. When Howie turned 75 recently Reid produced a record of Jazz and Blues songs written by Howie himself titled Dont Be Ashamed. A real gem, do check it out

A stickler for authenticity, Reid designed his first CD by hand, recorded, produced, printed and packaged it all on his own. Working for years in a record store, he was the embodiment of the independent musician, often stocking and ringing in purchases of his own CD, as well as promoting quality independent Canadian music by booking talent for in-store performances.

A lover of old school style this snappy dresser prefers to suit up for just about any occassion, and doesn't even own a pair of blue jeans. Awfully easy to poke fun at; Reid is also a peace loving vegetarian who hasn't had a television for 7 years now, and spends much of his time cooking, reading and writing a vegetarian starter guide with his gal. For the record: He makes an excellent dinner guest. A strong believer in positive thinking and balanced living, Reid regularly writes little reminders to himself into his songs.

With abundant nature and a little fresh air in mind, he packed up everything he owned in 2005 and moved to Victoria BC for two years, then settled in scenic Vancouver to finish his next album of original music. Reid lives with his lady partner and a lot of plants in an apartment near Jericho Beach. Work has begun on a soulful follow up, due out soon. Drop by Myspace for a taste of whats cookin'.