Janine Stoll writes clever songs, beautiful songs, and sad songs. Considered to be among Canada's finest songwriters, Stoll lives up to her status with an ever-increasing catalogue of acclaimed releases and a penchant for writing "the perfect song." With a voice both vulnerable and unwavering, Stoll can croon with the best of them.
Stoll's most recent full-length solo album, Melancholia, was officially released on February 12th, 2010 with a special concert at The Music Gallery in Toronto. With a decade plus of a well-documented heavy heart, the artist invites listeners into a private room filled with the fading photographs of burdensome memories. These songs are personal, beautiful, sorrowful, and somehow hopeful. Those looking for a pensive and intimate experience of music with evocative lyrics and stunning delivery need look no further than Melancholia. Note: A box of tissue or a shirtsleeve is recommended.
Produced in partnership with John MacLean of World Records, this album has been marinating for a year and is finally seeing daylight after so long in darkness. Providing backdrop to Stoll's stories are guitar arrangements composed and executed by Paul MacDougall, with appearances by bass players Brian Kobayakawa (The Creaking Tree), Liam Smith and Mike Milligan.
Melancholia takes up residence alongside Janine Stoll's other album releases How to have sex with Canadians (The DoneFors, 2009), This is where we bury it (solo, 2005), Live at The Orange Lounge (The Ladybird Sideshow, 2004), and everything you gave me (solo, 2001).
This is where we bury it (also produced by John MacLean) is a collection of songs merging Stoll's intimate brand of folk/pop with backing band Mr. Something Something's west-African flavour. This CD was welcomed by the CBC and made it onto many a show's play list. It also received consistently positive praise from other media outlets. Stoll's first release, everything you gave me, was a stripped-down acoustic gem that introduced listeners to a songwriting and vocal force fairly new in the Canadian music scene. And it left them wanting more.
Throughout her musical career thus far, Stoll has had the pleasure of collaborating with many fine musicians. Most recently (and excitingly), Stoll has had the honour of working with The DoneFors. Paul MacDougall, Liam Smith, and Brian Lahaie round out this quartet, which describes its music as "Canadiana Vanguard." The much-anticipated debut CD, How to have sex with Canadians, was released February 12th, 2009 to critical acclaim.
Songwriters Melissa McClelland (White Falcon), Lisa Winn, and Erin Smith (The Throwdowns) joined Stoll to create the acclaimed quartet The Ladybird Sideshow. The four singer-songwriters' combined experience and talent, not to mention unique and distinct personalities, provided a rare, addictive synergy both musically and personally. Live at the Orange Lounge was recorded in front of a live audience at Toronto's Orange Lounge studio by producer Daryn Barry. Seeing The 'Birds live in concert is a singular experience full of humour, storytelling, and breath-taking collaboration. And they're not hard on the eyes, either.
Stoll has worked as a backing vocalist with Toronto's afro-funk superstars Mr. Something Something (live on stage, as well as on the self-titled debut album and the Juno-nominated The Edge). She has lent her vocal talents to many recording projects and live performances by artists such as Ember Swift, Edie Carey, Coco Love Alcorn, Emma-Lee, Karyn Ellis, Brian MacMillan, Sarah Noni Metzner, and others.
