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NOV/09
Many cool things happening:
"BEFORE YOU LEAVE CANADA" IS NOW AVAILABLE AT ITUNES!!!!
"BEFORE YOU LEAVE CANADA" - a message from Jay:
"Before You Leave Canada" is a new song from my upcoming album (to be released in early 2010) - it is a love song (based on true events, as with many of my songs) dealing with a romantic relationship between people from two different places that just didn't work out - I present it with the greatest respect and affection for the USA and my American friends - I truly do love my sister........" Jay was recently involved in a very interesting project by visual and media artist Linda Duvall, entitled, "Where Were the Mothers?" It is being exhibited from November 5 - December 24, 2009 at the Art Gallery of Mississauga, located at 300 City Centre Dr., Civic Centre, Ground Floor, Mississauga, Ontario. Check out www.lindaduvall.com
Jay recently finished recording with Kim Fontaine and David J. Taylor for their new as-yet-unnamed project (release date and details TBA)
Jay and David J. Taylor are currently producing and playing on Kim Fontaine's new solo album (release date and details TBA)
Sessions are underway for a new album featuring various female vocalists performing songs of the Northern Pikes, to be released in 2010
2009 has been a very busy year (and still is!!!) for Jay. He performed at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis,TN, and at South By Southwest in Austin,TX, in addition to playing various Canadian dates solo and with the Northern Pikes.
Jay was chosen as a finalist in the Gospel/Inspirational category of the internationally celebrated John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and has been co-writing with many other songwriters in Canada and beyond, resulting in cuts on a number of upcoming releases.
Some review snippets for Jay's 2008 release,
"International Superstar" ......
"the album sounds like a cross between Gram Parsons and Ian Tyson. Semko's approach to country music is hip, informed as it is with an affectionate irony and a big grin." Robert Reid- The Kitchener/Waterloo Record "It feels like a memoir from Semko to himself- and if we're privy to his inner thoughts, then we're all the luckier for it." Craig Silliphant- Planet S "a fun country-rock album, roots music akin to what Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds used to do in their infamous New Wave group Rockpile." Robert Mersereau- Fredericton Telegraph Journal "a soulful, sweet offering that shares similarities with Buck Owens." David McPherson- Exclaim
About Jay
"Jay Semko is one of the great prairie singer-songwriters. His albums with the Northern Pikes and on his own are both fun and full of images of Saskatchewan" - author/journalist Bob Mersereau, from his book "The Top 100 Canadian Albums", published by Goose Lane
Jay began his music career in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, as singer/songwriter/bassist with Canadian pop icons the Northern Pikes. The Pikes earned 4 Gold records and 1 Platinum through radio and video airplay, and their non-stop touring made many friends for them across North America and beyond. Some of the hit singles Jay wrote and recorded with the Pikes include "Teenland", "Things I Do For Money", "Wait For Me", and "Girl With A Problem", as well as many others. Jay recieved 2 awards from the Canadian Music Publishers Association for his songwriting, and the Pikes were nominated for 8 Juno Awards through their career.
In 1993 the Pikes began a 6 year hiatus and Jay was approached by Oscar and Emmy-winning("Thirty Something", "Crash") writer/producer/director Paul Haggis to write music for a TV movie pilot entitled "Due South". After writing the theme song, Jay went on to co-compose the music score for the history-making series (first Canadian-made production to premiere on prime-time US TV- CBS). Jay was nominated twice for Best Music Score In A Dramatic Series(Gemini Awards), and 66 episodes of "Due South" were produced. 2 Soundtrack albums were released, and "Due South", as the most successful Canadian TV series ever created, is currently in syndication around the world. In addition to "Due South", Jay has written music scores and had songs placed in many other award-winning TV series, documentaries and films.
Jay's first solo album, "Mouse", was originally released in 1995. As Jay's first recording outside of the Pikes, it ventured into some new musical territory- pedal steel, twangy telecasters and a folksier, more western feel. "Strawberry Girl" and "Times Change" both cracked the Top 40 in Canada, and music videos for the songs received extensive airplay on CMT. Jay toured across Canada with his band while still composing for "Due South" and other shows- he was a busy guy.
It took 10 years for Jay to release a second solo record- not that he wasn't doing anything during that time- Jay continued his composing work, produced other artists, and in 2000 the Pikes reformed and hit the road again upon the release of their "Hits and Assorted Secrets"album.
In 2005 Jay was approached by Canadian filmmaker and friend Marshall Ward, about being the subject of a documentary dealing with the songwriting and recording process. It was entitled "Love Will Set You Free", from the song of the same name, and was the catalyst that got Jay back in the studio recording his own music.
A 3-song EP of the same name was released that year, which was followed by a 10-song acoustic album of traditional Christmas music. This led to the recording of "Redberry", Jay's second full-length solo album, in 2006. It delved further into Jay's love of folk/country music, and airplay across Canada and Europe re-established him as one of this country's finest songwriters. Jay began to perform again as a solo acoustic artist, and in March 2007 Jay was recorded with a full band by the CBC at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Theatre for "Canada Live". This was released as a full album in January of 2008, and was the precursor to Jay's 2008 studio album, "International Superstar".
"International Superstar" charted in the top ten of many folk/roots/blues charts across Canada, and "She Won't Be Lonely Long" received (and is still receiving) video airplay on CMT, as well as radio airplay on many Canadian Country stations. In addition to Jay's solo songwriting, the album features a number of co-writes with songwriters in Canada and the USA. Jay is continuing to co-write extensively, and is currently hard at work on his new solo album.
Jay has recorded with such notables as Garth Hudson(The Band), John Sebastian(Lovin' Spoonful), the late Stan Celeste(Jackson Browne, CS&N), Bob Egan(Wilco, Blue Rodeo), Margo Timmins(Cowboy Junkies), Crystal Taliefero(Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen), Ashley MacIsaac and Serena Ryder. Jay has also shared the bill with such artists as David Bowie, Robert Palmer, Bruce Hornsby, Peter Frampton, kd Lang, Tom Cochrane, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many, many others.
You can find Jay here:
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