Every week Mixtape likes to provide you with a hand picked and fine tuned look at some of the finest music and musicians this country is producing, hoping to expose you to something new and something awesome. This week, we’d like to introduce you to Charlottetown Pop featured artist, Jim Bryson. He plays with Jenn Grant at the Trailside on Thursday and Friday night.
Hailing from the nation’s capital, Bryson first flung on to the scene with his debut solo album The Occasionals in 2000. Sure, he’d been around for a while prior to The Occasionals playing in other bands, but the truth is his gut wrenching guitar riffs that he plays as a solo artist are really what makes this guy a powerhouse on the Canadian stage.
Being able to pull off an otherwise awkward mix of country, folk and indie rock, Bryson has established himself as a seemingly musical genius on the Canadian stage. From touring as a part of Kathleen Edward’s band (her song, “I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory” is supposedly about him) to the 2010 full-length album The Falcon Lake Incident with Winnipeg’s The Weakerthans, Bryson’s ability to weave musical masterpieces with crafted lyrics and delicate melodies has won the admiration from fans and artists alike.
Bryson has this uncanny ability to collaborate and work and collaborate with other artists combining musical visions into a seamless tapestry of sound. Most notably Bryson produced Tanya Davis’ 2010 album Clocks and Hearts Keep Going and is currently producing an album for Oh Susana. In 2012 he paired with Hamilton musician Jeremy Fisher to collaborate on a series of musical challenges where the pair would write and release a song in a single day.
But, perhaps the biggest reason why you should see this guy live at Charlottetown Pop (or any other chance you get), is that Bryson knows how to create music that makes you feel something. It’s like every note and every word of each song is strung together with the unadulterated intention of moving you, the listener.
Photo: Jim Bryson Facebook page