JAY PEA crafts infectious folk-rock ballads that reveal his distinctive, breathy voice. His disarmingly catchy melodies are both poignant and cheerful, an addictive mix of campfire confessionals and summery grooves.

As he gears up for the launch of his album, he looks back at the intense traveling cycle that has inspired his musical creation.

“This album was mainly written on the road, parts in Saskatchewan, parts in South America, parts in Montreal, wherever I’ve felt the need to stop and make sense of what was happening to me”.

Before entering college, JAY PEA took off to San Francisco with his brother and ended up a year later in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, where he was greeted by a cowboy family who taught him the basics of country gospel, lasso throwing and grueling farmwork. Next stop was Uruguay, in the heart of South American gaucho land, where he worked on a sheep ranch in the hills and struggled with a long-distance relationship.

Upon his return in Montreal, JAY PEA found like-minded musicians and worked on his first EP, Tower of Slow, a collection of four acoustic ballads that earned him a spot at the Pop Montreal festival and got people spreading the word.

“I feel lucky to be part of the exciting scene here in Montreal, there is a contagious creative energy here.”

The artwork in Jay Pea’s album is a creation of Jack Dylan, a prolific young illustrator whose street posters have become an urban landmark for Montreal concert-goers.
“It was great to work with Jack cause both of us were aiming for an aesthetic of simplicity, both musically and visually.”

Now back from a long musical journey in Senegal, where he did an anthropological study of traditional griot music, JAY PEA has teamed up with a touring band that features former Stills guitarist Greg Paquet.

“I’m very excited to take these songs on the road, cause I think that’s where they belong.”

JAY PEA’s debut album, Arrivals and Departures was released October 24 on Foxtail Music/Outside. JAY PEA is preparing a national tour.