“A spine chilling talent…” - Toronto Star
“…Funky-Jazzy-Reggae conscious Folk-Pop that enters your ear like cotton candy melts on your tongue.”
- Northeast In Tune Magazine
“Stunning vocals…Emotionally compelling and multi-layered.” - Monkeybiz.ca
Speaking courageous and tender to the hungry hearts of poets, activists, and lovers alike, Folk/Soul songstress Layah Jane is the shy one with head-turning presence; the tall one with the bright blue eyes, tangled blonde curls, and dancing hips. Layah’s music is embodied, raw, and disarming.
With a clever poetic and political conscience from teenage years rocking to Ani Difranco, tender vocal phrasing from pressing walkman earphones spouting Sarah McLachlan into her middle-school ears, and an instinctive understanding of harmony and rhythm from in utero exposure to her parents’ Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Sade, and Kate Bush records, Layah Jane has studied the grand dames of her musical lineage, and has discovered and developed her own spirited voice.
Layah began crafting songs in her early teens, and has bedazzled, bemused, and bewitched listeners ever since. Don’t be distracted by the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, the Ontario Independent Music Awards for Best Folk and Best Female Artist, the Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Jazz, or the songwriting award for Best Political Song at the Ontario Council of Folk Festival’s conference. Resonance bowls over award plaques, and melody sticks stronger than boastful bios or promises from strangers: You won’t be disappointed. You’ll hum like a bee with honey.
With 4 recordings released in 4 years on the independent Grace Note Records, (Brightness & Bravery in 2008, Patience EP in 2007, and Grievance & Gratitude and Grievance & Gratitude Remixes in 2005), Layah’s prolific and passionate songwriting is carving her the kind of music career that is fruitful and long-haul steady. Rumour has it that there’s another record on the way. Psst…Pass it on.
The web of self-booked tours that Layah and band mate/guitarist Oliver Johnson embark on criss-cross North America. They add more miles to a little white VW bio diesel-fueled Jetta than the mechanic cares to count, scarf down more almonds and apples than the average touring vegetarian rockstar can stand, and meet many a beaming, weeping, and cheering audience along the way.
The magical silence that holds potent soft notes together and sets roaring ones apart is guitarist and producer Oliver Johnson’s specialty. With R&B rhythm dirty from his years on the road with Canada’s forefront soul and funk players, and melodic intuition from his Jazz college background and 12 bar Blues-tinged childhood, Oliver’s guitars are known to let out softly audible sighs when he plays them. Adeptly playing the range between subtle and raucous, with emotive atmosphere and blistering solo leads, Oliver’s sensitive and soulful accompaniment is integral to the dynamic of Layah’s live and recorded work. Their onstage chemistry: electric. The product: palpable joy.
When Layah Jane and Oliver Johnson take the stage, we are transported to a place where emotion is raw, reflection is deep, and revolution is not only possible but necessary.
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Award Highlights:
* Ontario Council of Folk Festivals songwriting award Honourable Mention (2009, 2008)
* Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Female Artist (2008) and nomination for Best Song (2008)
* Toronto Independent Music Award nomination Best Folk (2008)
* Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Folk (2007)
* Toronto Independent Music Award nominations for Best Folk, and Best Female Fronted Band (2007)
* Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Jazz (2006) and nomination for Best Live Acoustic Act (2006)
* CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (2005)
* Ontario Council of Folk Festivals’ political song award for “Reverence and Ridicule” (2005)
* American Independent Music Award nomination for Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter (2005)
Festival and Showcase Highlights:
* Raise the Roof Women's Music Festival (2010)
* Katchepaw Music Festival (2009)
* Toronto City Roots Festival (2006, 2007, 2008)
* NXNE (2004, 2005, 2008)
* Blue Skies Music Festival (2008)
* Ontario Independent Music Awards (2008)
* Toronto Independent Music Awards (2008)
* Rochester International Jazz Fest (2007)
* New Music West (2006, 2007)
* Winterfolk Festival (2005, 2006)
* Ottawa Folk Festival (2005)
Licensing Highlights:
* 2 songs licensed to “Addicted to Plastic” (Cryptic Moth, 2008) documentary film by Ian Connacher
* Song licensed to “Be the Change” (Living Lightly, 2008) documentary film by David Chernushenko
* Song licensed to feature film “Shark City” (Stardust Pictures, 2009) directed by Dan Eisen
* Voice of the Dove Real Beauty/Self Esteem Fund’s 2006 “True Colors” International TV Campaign
* Songs licensed by Global TV’s “Blue Murder”, and ESPN’s primetime drama “Tilt”
