In support of their recently released album, No Nations, Jets Overhead have set off on a cross-country tour, opening up for Montreal’s The Dears. They’ll be stopping in Toronto to play The Horseshoe Tavern tonight for Nu Music Tuesday and from there they’ll be heading to New York and Tennessee, to play the legendary Bonaroo fest.
They’ve had a busy few days in Toronto, showing up at Explore Music, CBC Radio’s Q with Jian Gomeshi and performing a few songs on XM Radio’s The Verge. BUSY!
Check out our Q & A’s with Jets Overhead singer, Antonia Freybe-Smith:
Hey Antonia, just to introduce everyone to you, what instrument do you play and when did you pick that up?
I play guitar and a mean tambourine. I started playing piano as a kid, hated practicing. My mum would have to set the egg timer to make sure I played for 30 minutes everyday but I would push it forward when she left the room. I took up guitar in my mid teens- I had an awesome, charismatic older cousin who sang and played guitar and I thought he was the coolest person in the world so I tought myself alone in my room. I’m kind of a pathetic player.
I doubt that! What was the first record you bought?
Talking Heads, Little Creatures. The soundtrack of my childhood is a chalk-a-block full of Talking Heads, Leonard Cohen, Brian Ferry, Joe Jackson and Paul Simon- all thanks to my wonderful, energetic Aunt.
Where do you discover new music? Online? Magazine’s? Word of mouth or recommendations from friends?
I’m addicted to Espace Musique, the CBC French music radio station. They play a delicious selection of jazz, classical, electronic and world music. I’ve discoveres some gorgeous stuff through them – the only frustrating thing is when they play some amazing piece of music and then I frantically try to understand what the Quebecois DJ is saying so I can find out what it is but I can’t understand and I start to panic but it’s my own fault, because my french is terrible.
Which past album do you tend to revisit often?
Paul Simon, Rhythm of the Saints. I am in awe of everything he is doing on that record- I find it endlessly satisfying and uplifting and return to it again and again to revive my faith in the beauty of music when all the music industry crap is getting me down. That, and Dire Straights Dire Straights – I do not thing it’s possible to ever get sick of that album.
What was the last place (outside Canada..even North America) that you’ve visited?
I was just in China touring with Jets Overhead and that was such an interesting experience- incredible food, kind people, crazy cities, wonderfully enthusiastic audiences – we loved it.
Do you find there’s a reoccuring theme on No Nations?
I think that there’s a bit of a resigned sadness, tinged with hope and love. Sort of like: well, this is a crazy, messed up world we live in. Fine, so be it, let’s try and love one another anyways.
And lastely, what’s your favourite track on the album?
Always a First Time. I get a nice road trip, sunshine, thoughtful feeling when I hear that song. It was written really quickly as a group, it just kind of emerged and it was like, cool, onto the next one!
Post-show update: The Horseshoe was packed for Jets Overhead, who hit the stage around 10 and played a 40-minute set. They sounded incredible live, rich harmonies, very atmospheric with shoegaze undertones leading into a heavier rock sound. Everyone had such a great time, especially the band who said though it went by fast, they had a terrific time in Toronto!
www.myspace.com/jetsoverhead
posted by bianca
.. Speaking of which, at first I wasn’t down with the bracket colon smile/frown thing, but I must admit, I have come to find it somewhat handy. Is that Wrong?
