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Jason CollettCanadian rock musician and singer-songwriter
Country:
 Canada |
Content:
- Biography of Jason Collett
- Early Life and Influences
- Bird and Radio Mondays
- Broken Social Scene
- Solo Career
- Personal Life and Activism
Biography of Jason Collett
Canadian rock musician and singer-songwriter Jason Collett is a member of the indie rock group 'Broken Social Scene', but also tours independently and has released four solo albums. His latest album, 'Rat a Tat Tat', was released in March 2010. Recently, he collaborated with other Canadians on the independent sci-fi film project 'Iodine', which marked his acting debut as Deputy Peel.
Early Life and Influences
Jason Collett was born and raised in Bramalea, Ontario, one of the suburbs of Greater Toronto. He began writing songs at a young age to escape the boredom of his suburban life. Influenced by musicians such as Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, and Nick Lowe, Collett eventually moved to Toronto, where he worked as a carpenter and joiner, doing repairs and building private homes, while also working on his own musical projects.
Bird and Radio Mondays
He was a member of the alternative country group 'Bird' with Andrew Cash and Hawksley Workman. In 2000, 'Bird' released their only album 'Chrome Reflection'. Collett also participated in the popular Toronto performances of 'Radio Mondays'. Alongside 'The Weakerthans' and other musicians from the record label 'Arts & Crafts', Collett often writes songs and performs with his label colleagues, and describes 'Radio Mondays', where 5-6 musicians from different bands performed on stage, as a crucial event in the development of Toronto's indie rock community.
Broken Social Scene
Joining the group 'Broken Social Scene' allowed Collett to leave behind his carpentry tools and fully dedicate himself to music. He became a member of the band as one of the guitarists after their album 'You Forgot It In People'. The group had around twenty irregular members who also played in other projects. Eventually, Kevin Drew convinced Collett to become a permanent member of 'Broken Social Scene' when they transitioned from instrumental music to creating their own songs. Although Collett took a brief break from touring with 'Broken Social Scene' in the fall of 2005 to focus on his solo career and spend time with his family, he has maintained constant communication with the group.
Solo Career
Collett's third solo album, 'Idols of Exile' (2005), produced by Howie Beck, featured many famous Canadian musicians, including Kevin Drew, Leslie Feist, and Brendan Canning from 'Broken Social Scene'. His first solo album, 'Bitter Beauty', was released in 2001, followed by 'Motor Motel Love Songs' in 2002. In February 2008, his fourth album, 'Here's to Being Here', was released, which significantly differed from his previous album. Collett frequently tours under his own name with support from 'The Dark Horse', a band whose lineup often changes.
Personal Life and Activism
In 2009, Jason Collett participated in the filming of an interactive documentary series called 'City Sonic'. The series focused on the lives and works of twenty artists with a geographical connection to Toronto, highlighting Collett's long-standing attachment to the Kensington Market district. His wife works as a social worker, and they have four children. Over the years, they have lived in various suburbs of Toronto, from Kensington to Ossington. Since the mid-90s, Collett has been an advocate for healthy eating and even consumes only organic food while on tour. He is politically and socially active, a member of the Canadian New Democratic Party, and participated in the Toronto election campaign in the fall of 2008. Recently, during a show at Queen's University, Collett expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
