Jonah Kanter has been writing, recording, and performing music for more than a decade. He is a multi-instrumentalist, dynamic composer, and talented producer. His signature sound—a fusion of intricate rock guitars, powerful pianos, soaring vocals, and lyrics that challenge the listener to dig deep—developed through many experiences, bandmates, and influences.
At just age 16, Jonah recorded and produced his first full-length album entitled “A Child Uncovered,” a concept record about the journey of an innocent being led and misled by those he trusts. It included powerful rock anthem “It’s All the Same” and piano ballad “The Final Stand.” Shortly after, Jonah started his first band with friends Chris Whipp and Chris Murray. The band was short-lived, but during that time, Jonah and Whipp began working extensively together in the studio. In June 2001, they collaborated to produce and record the EP “In A Moment,” which featured the epic “Leave A Light On.” Their partnership continues to this day as Whipp continues to contribute to the production, engineering, mixing and mastering of Jonah’s work.
Jonah also began performing acoustically around the Ottawa area, including an appearance on the New RO’s morning show in April 2002. With increasingly more experience, his music became more focused and inspired. At age 18, he wrote and recorded his second full-length album, entitled “End Calamity,” completed in June 2003. The album was a lyrical showcase as it cleverly blended the personal, social, and political—a style that he continues to adopt today. Littered with songs of protest, “End Calamity” represented a clear snapshot of time as the United States prepared for its second war with Iraq. The album featured the piano-rocker “Mission Statement”, the loud but pretty “Real Politik”, and introspective ballad “So, Goodnight.”
The next fall, Jonah relocated to Toronto and continued to perform acoustically with the hopes of attracting a new following. In the winter of 2006, he recorded an acoustic EP entitled “To Those Who Easily Burn,” a collection of new songs intended to give fans a peak at what the future held before the next full-band release. The album featured the first glimpse of the multi-faceted, politically-charged rocker “Saving Face.” This song was later re-recorded in its regular full-band format as part of the 2009 EP “Mission Statement,” which also features the metal-infused “Degenerate”—a song about the destructive impact of conservative news entities.
Jonah is also a political and human rights activist with a background in international relations from the University of Toronto. Much of his music is devoted towards raising awareness about issues he cares deeply for, including global human rights, US foreign policy, genocide, and Middle East affairs. Much of his time is also devoted towards international development work and mentoring youth on global issues.
Born February 10, 1984, Jonah resides in Toronto, Canada.
Hi, We're back with our new album 'Dragonflies.' To promote the record we're offering fans a chance to "pay what you want" for an mp3 version of the album. Go to http://www.everyonestalking.net/ for more details. You can stream the new single 'Dragonflies" from our myspace page now! Thank you ET
Jonah. I hear you had a great game under centre out in Scarborough..way to go man, Adam would be proud. When's the next show gonna be? I'm stoked to attend.
hey! now i regret that i never said hello to you! but thats so funny that you recognized me too!! P.S. one day u need to come back to cbb and just perform hide and seek for everyone!! its sooo good! almost better than imogen heap themselves! anyways keep rockin! post back:)
hey jonah! thanks for commenting back... thats so good that you got out there in ther music businessi always knew you would go far:) with the piana guitar and singing your amazing! By the way you song "Saving Face" is the song on my MySpace, it's so good! oh ya and also there was this one time in like september or august that i saw you at silver city!!!(toronto) i wanted to say hi to you but i didnt know if you would remember me...well anyways talk to you later...keep singing!
Jonah, how is school going? I might come to Toronto with Theo this weekend, but if that doesn't happen I am thinking sometime in late November. Turkey age was missing you. The funny thing is I forget who I have for age. What the fuck.
Hey Jonah! How are you!?? How come you didn't come back to camp this summer? Well anyways i wanted to do another performance with you like last year talent show! I am ready for love-India Arie! That was fun! well anyways this year i did Knocking On Heavens Door with Emily Haffended on guitar...anyways post back! good talking:)
Gonna come down with Meg at some point and visit all the Toronto kids. Hopefully soon, definately October I am hoping. You coming for turkey age or what?
Never formally introduced indeed... which means I never got to actually tell you that I think you are a phenominal musician, and I really enjoyed watching such a real and genuine artist perform...all those times we actually played together!! Anyway, I hope all is well and I would love to come hang out with you and Katherine sometime!!
