WE SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN’S ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC SCENE

Whether it’s reaching out to a newly released project, musician or creating a spotlight for local talent to be heard on any of our stages, as well as opportunities to be heard opening for larger acts on a full-venue stage. We look forward to assist and launch newest concepts that strongly support the local music in this province. The local music scene is super important to us – we are a small province, but we have big dreams. Let’s grow and support each other – putting Saskatchewan on the map for premium music and entertainment experience.

TIMING ISN’T ALWAYS EVERYTHING

Somethings are just meant to happen, when they happen. Picture this – you run a crowdfunding campaign, you meet your goal in record time, complete your album, plan to release your album, plan a tour surrounding the album release, and then the pandemic puts everything on hold. That happened to Jay & Jo but instead of putting everything on hold – they decided resiliency was a theme that they wanted to portray and released their album anyway. Their sophomore album ‘Victory’ was released on July 10th 2020. They pushed out two music videos to accompany their album. The folk-roots duo were up for many awards and had the opportunity to touch a lot hearts during a very difficult year. The tour that eventually turned into a hometown tour (Prince Albert) is happening this weekend, with a socially distanced matinee set and evening set. There are opportunities to catch this live. Support Jay & Jo while they finally celebrate the release of their sophomore album ‘Victory’ on Saturday May 1st 2021. We are so blessed to have their talent and vibrant energy in our province.

Janaya McCallum and Jolissa Trudel of Jay & Jo take a moment to reflect on their past and chat with us about their upcoming show at EA Rawlinson Centre on Saturday May 1st 2021. We sit down to go over how the sister-duo grew up around music, and their relationship with music. We learn about their sophomore album, ‘Victory’. We chat about the themes, the process of recording, how they collaborate with their songwriting, and the response of the album. They share their perception of the accolades, praise and appreciation that the album received. We learn how it felt to release an album that helped people during the pandemic. We take moments to reflect on the album release show and tour that never happened. Their album release show happens this Saturday May 1st 2021 – Janaya and Jolissa chat with us about what we can expect from their performance, why Jesse Brown needed to be on the bill, and so much more.

YOU ARE JAY & JO WHILE YOU ARE PERFORMING, RECORDING AND CREATING MUSIC AS A DUO.

WHEN YOU ARE OFF STAGE YOU ARE SISTERS, JANAYA AND JOLISSA. WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MUSIC AS INDIVIDUALS? WHAT WAS YOUR UPBRINGING INTO MUSIC? HOW DOES IT FEEL TO CREATE MUSIC WITH FAMILY? TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR STORY.

JANAYA MCCALLUM: Well, we grew up in a family band, which was a really unique experience. Music was always a life-giving force in our home growing up. Creating music with family breaks open another layer of depth to an already intimate, familial bond. Songwriting and sharing art are can be terrifying feats at times, so it’s a gift to be able to do it together. We can anticipate each other musically and challenge each other personally in ways we might not be free to otherwise. For me, music has always been a lifeline, and something I always felt a humbling and heavy need to contribute my small part to.

JOLISSA TRUDELL: Music is always the centrepiece of family gatherings, whether its a family jam session, or topic of discussion. It was by this nurturing environment that we had the foundation and confidence to explore and express ourselves uniquely through music. Singing together has always just been a very natural part of our relationship as sisters. 

“WE ARE PROUD OF THE COHESIVE STORY THAT VICTORY IS”

– JANAYA MCCALLUM

THE ALBUM ‘VICTORY’ WAS WRITTEN/RECORDED IN 2019.

THE ALBUM IS BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL, FULL OF POWER, RESILIENT, AND TIMELESS. WHEN YOU WROTE THE ALBUM IT WAS INITIALLY INTENDED ON BEING RELEASED IN 2020. LITTLE DID YOU KNOW, 2020 WOULD LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE EXPECTED. WHAT WAS THE PROCESS OF WRITING THIS WELL-ROUNDED ALBUM? IS THIS A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS? HOW DOES IT FEEL THAT YOUR ALBUM HELPED PEOPLE THROUGH EMOTIONS THROUGH PROBABLY THE TOUGHEST YEAR OF OUR LIVES?

JANAYA MCCALLUM: This album was really unique because, a year before we went into the studio, we ran a crowdfunding campaign in hopes of raising enough to make something we were really proud of. We had 30 days to raise that money, and the people got us to our goal in about a week. It was remarkable. Because of that, we went into the process really feeling like these songs belonged to them. Not just those who donated, but everyone who listens. I think that humbling experience of being on the receiving end of generosity helped us really hone in on what we wanted to say with this album, and be a bit more brave about how we shared ourselves in it. This was also the first time we really spent a good chunk of time writing together. We took a few days and sat in the loft of our local church, chatting and writing and sharing life until we had a really clear vision of what we wanted to create. I remember we had a cork board full of our favourite art, some colour swatches, and a bunch of poems that we kept beside us all the time, just for inspiration and direction. I think this payed off, and we are proud of the cohesive story that Victory is. We are very humbled that it helped some people through this mess of a year. Music does that. It takes on a life of it’s own in spite of the writer, and resonates with people in ways we could never have conjured of our own wills. What a gift. 

JOLISSA TRUDELL: I’d like to think the themes of Victory, light over darkness, disillusionment, resilience in chaos to name a few, are universal and timeless. However, the message had become particularly poignant. It’s been hugely edifying to hear some of the feedback from the album. We could never have seen this past year coming, but we were glad that Victory was there to see people through it. 

“Inscape” by Jay & Jo

Videography and Drone by Erik Paquette / Editing by Janaya McCallum / Music and Lyrics by Jay & Jo.

Introducing the Newest Hard Seltzer Vizzy – Another Hard Seltzer? Yeah, but we’ve got superfruit acerola cherry. Vizzy provides a healthier alternative to traditional Hard Seltzers. Superfruit Acerola Cherry is an antioxidant and typically contains the highest amount of vitamin C compared to other fruits. Making Vizzy not only taste amazing, but you feel great consuming the refreshing beverage. Vizzy is new to Saskatoon and is exclusively available at local pubs and bars. Support your local restaurant before Vizzy is available at retail stores. Follow MolsonCoors306 to find out where you can find the new addition to their lineup!

Sparkling Hard Seltzer with Acerola Cherry – 5% alcohol, 140 calories, 2 carbs 0 grams of sugar (per 473ml can)

‘VICTORY’ WAS VICTORIOUS!

YOU MADE THE TOP 3 PLANET S BEST ALBUMS OF 2020, #6 IN SASKMUSIC BEST ALBUMS OF 2020, AND WERE NOMINATED IN THE 2ND BALLOT FOR 5 CATEGORIES IN THE RECENT SASKATCHEWAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. BEING RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR WORK IS ALWAYS SO SPECIAL. AFTER THE UNPRECENDENTED YEAR THAT UNFOLDED, DID YOU FEEL A SENSE OF RELIEF KNOWING HOW WELL YOUR ALBUM WAS PERCEIVED BY YOUR PEERS? IF YOU WERE TO WIN AN AWARD IN A NON-MUSIC CATEGORY WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO WIN? AND WHY?

JANAYA MCCALLUM: Putting the album out when we did was a nerve-wracking and likely irresponsible thing to do, since we had to cancel our tour and all future shows indefinitely. However, it’s very edifying for it to not only be heard, but recognized by communities of artists that we respect so much. When 2020 started it’s downhill slide, the songs started to take on new meaning for us, and we knew we had to let them out and give them back to the people. We are sure glad we did! As far as non-music awards, I think I’d like to receive some sort of environmental award, something to do with farming or sustainability. Can’t sing songs if there’s no world to sing to!

JOLISSA TRUDELL: Yes, relief is a good word. It was a bit nerve wracking releasing in the thick of the outbreak and so it was reassuring that we hadn’t done the release completely wrong to have the recognition we did. It is always humbling to have your work stacked against other artists you respect and admire, but but you also have to take some pride in yourself that you are being recognized alongside them. 

“Youth” by Jay & Jo

Music and lyrics by Jay & Jo / Produced by Hal Schrenk / Recorded at Big Bang Studios / Engineered by Matthew Facca & Hal Schrenk / Mixed by Matthew Facca @ Facca Audio & Production / Mastered by Trevor Case @ Case Mastering / Video and Editing by Erik Paquette

Jolissa Trudel: Vocals & Ukulele / Janaya Trudel: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar / Hal Schrenk: Drums & Percussion / Chris Donahue: Bass / Murray Pulver: Electric Guitars / Connor Newton: Clarinet, Alto Clarinet & Tenor Sax

YOUR SOPHOMORE ALBUM ‘VICTORY’ RELEASED ON JULY 10TH 2020.

IN LIEU OF THE ALBUM RELEASING, YOU WERE PLANNING ON GOING ON TOUR TO CELEBRATE. THAT PLAN WAS CANCELLED, BUT THE ALBUM WAS STILL PUSHED OUT AS PLANNED. SEVERAL MONTHS HAVE PAST – YOU HAVE RECEIVED RECOGNITION FOR YOUR WORK, RELEASED MUSIC VIDEOS, AND PLANNED FOR A CELEBRATION WITH YOUR FANS. YOU ARE ABOUT TO FINALLY CELEBRATE YOUR ALBUM RELEASE WITH “RECOVERING HOPE: THE SONGS THAT GOT US THROUGH THE YEAR”. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO FINALLY HAVE AN EVENT TO SHARE WITH YOUR FANS? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ON MAY 1ST 2021? WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE ON HAVING THE VERY TALENTED JESSE BROWN ON THE BILL? TELL US ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT.

JOLISSA TRUDELL: We are beyond excited to perform at the beautiful EA Rawlinson Centre, and particulairly special to perform on home turf in Prince Albert. It is a perfect place to have our belated album release. We feel this album especially belongs to our fans, with the poigniancy of the subject matter and with our fans funding the majority of the project. We are so glad to finally be able to properly give it back to them.

We will be performing two shows on May first. The first a matinee, “Recovering Hope”, largely a collection on cover songs that we feel really put a pin on our experience of the last year. Our second show in the evening, “Victory Tour”, will be a Presentation of our album Victory with a few additional familiar songs. We are so glad to have our friend Jesse Brown join us. We have known him since we were kids, are from the same area, and our dads actually played together years back! We love his style and humour, and it just made sense to have him play piano on our Victory and these concerts. We hope to have a great virtual turn out to the show and can’t wait to play!

JANAYA MCCALLUM: We are so excited! Prince Albert is our home city and we grew up attending/playing at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre, so  it feels very sentimental and fitting to be there for our first time in front of a live audience in over a year. Having Jesse Brown play with us was a no-brainer. He’s a great and old friend and his compositions are just ethereal. We are in love with his work, and it’s a great honour to have him on stage with us adding his magic to these tunes.

“WE HOPE TO HAVE A GREAT TURN OUT TO THE SHOW”

– JOLISSA TRUDEL

‘VICTORY’ IS OUT IN THE WORLD. 

YOU CELEBRATE WITH YOUR EVENT HAPPENING ON MAY 1ST 2021 AT THE EA RAWLINSON CENTRE. WHAT DOES THE REST OF 2021 LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

JOLISSA TRUDELL: We are playing another virtual show, InTune 2021 – a two day online festival at The Basement in Saskatoon alongside a few other performers. Tickets can be found through The Basement Club. You can also keep your eyes open for an exciting collaboration with our friends the Johner Boys to be released soon! Looking ahead, we hope to begin work on a christmas project for the upcoming season.

JANAYA MCCALLUM: What Jo said! The quiet, show-less season has allowed for some creative projects to spring up in between and we are very excited to share. Keep an eye out!

“Ought to be Loved” by Jay & Jo feat. Jesse Brown

Music and Lyrics by Jay & Jo / Produced by: Hal Schrenk / Recorded at Big Bang Studios / Engineered by: Matthew Facca & Hal Schrenk / Mixed by: Matthew Facca @ Facca Audio & Production / Mastered by Trevor Case @ Case Mastering / Video and Editing by Erik Paquette

May 1st 2021 – Jay & Jo perform at EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts – Buy Tickets: here

All photos inside article supplied by guest.

*hover over photo for issued credit.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT’S TO COME…