Jon Bryant Bears His Heart and Soul with Twenty Something

Chicago – Canadian musician Jon Bryant has amassed a dedicated fan base through constant touring and the creation of beautiful, modern folk music, layered with rich textures and stirring vocals. In 2009, his critically acclaimed debut album, Two Coasts for Comfort, was the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Album of the Year in Canada. It was also nominated for “Best Folk Album” at the 2011 East Coast Music Awards. After some trials and tribulations, Jon Bryant is back with his latest creation, Twenty Something. The Nova Scotian folk artist bared his soul, pouring out every ounce of emotion from his broken heart, drafting powerful songs produced by Rick Parker (Lord Huron), Nygel Asselin (Half Moon Run), and Grammy nominated producer Alex Newport (Death Cab for Cutie).

Best New Bands is honored to premiere Twenty Something for our readers, via SoundCloud.

Jon Bryant asserts making “this collection of songs has been the most incredible and cathartic experience” of his musical career. This emotional release sculpted a moving ten-track album, filled with vocals comparable to that of the legendary Jeff Buckley. Bryant especially channels Buckley in “Light,” with his sweet falsetto. The single features shimmering guitars and heavenly vocals. In early February, “Light” was released along with a short film by fellow Canadian and renowned photographer Caitlin Cronenberg (daughter of director David Cronenberg). The film was shot in Toronto and inspired by Bryant’s lyrics. It stars model Victoria Keon-Cohen.

In “Trenches and Charms,” Bryant sings “There’s a road of desire from my heart to my head.” His desires, hopes, and fears come to life in every track, but ”Love and War” is perhaps the most gut-wrenching song on the album. Anyone who has experienced heartbreak will surely relate to this tearjerker. Bryant doesn’t hold back with his honesty. This is not just with his song writing. In anticipation of the release of Twenty Something, Bryant wrote a letter to his family, friends, and fans, explaining exactly what inspired his third album:

In the last few years I’ve gone through some incredibly difficult times. My faith, values and relationships have been put through fire. In short, I had a very difficult and short marriage that ended in divorce. Meanwhile, I had to sift through struggles with my faith and values… I hope you see these very real things come forth in the music and that it impacts you for the better. Making this album helped me heal and move past what has become the hardest season of my life. I hope that you enjoy it and that it gives you hope in the same way it did for me.

Songs like “Make It or Break It” and “Milk and Water” encompass the hope Jon Bryant speaks of, between the smile inducing melodies and heartening lyrics. There is an ease to much of Bryant’s music. “Deep Dark Valley” harnesses early gospel music, transporting you back in time, to an old wooden beamed church, echoing triumphant horns, tambourine, and accompanying claps. Even in a song like “Heroine,” which compares the love of a strong woman to drug addiction, serenity warmly blankets the listener. Twenty Something is magical in its beauty.

Twenty Something is available for purchase on vinyl or digital download. Follow Jon Bryant on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Luke Liable

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Sarah Hess

At the age of six, Sarah Hess discovered True Blue by Madonna. This resulted in her spending hours in front of the bathroom mirror with a hairbrush microphone, belting out "La Isla Bonita" off key. Her love for music only intensified over the years thanks to her parents; her mother exposed Sarah to The Jackson Five and had her hustling to the Bee Gees, while her father would play her albums like 'Pet Sounds' and 'Some Girls' from start to finish, during which he'd lecture on and on about the history of rock & roll. Sarah would eventually stumble upon rap and hip-hop, then punk and alternative, and fall madly in love with Jeff Buckley and film photography.

After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.

You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.