Jen Lane

JEN LANE BIOGRAPHY Sometimes fate or destiny lets you know when you’re in the right place at the right time, doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Over the past eight years, Saskatoon-based recording artist Jen Lane has shown that the trials and tribulations she endured during that time have led to the creation of what is thus far her most personal, compelling and powerfully evocative album. This Life of Mine is the culmination of a time in Lane’s personal and creative life that can truly be described as a roller coaster ride that began after she was sidelined with a foot and ankle injury that took several years and multiple surgeries to repair. With her first two releases, one of which was nominated for a Prairie Music Award, Lane garnered a lot of attention within the Western Canadian music scene. Her self-titled 2006 album and the 2010 follow-up (For the Night) generated a buzz each time out. Both were also nominated for Western Canadian Music Awards and Jen received many notable showcases across the country and into the US including 3 trips to SXSW. A stroke of good fortune found Lane when her and her partner in life and music John Antoniuk played a show in Kelowna. They were offered a ‘band house’ to stay in which ended up being on a beautiful 13-acre property and featured not only the acclaimed Bottega Studio, but a quaint and entertaining alpaca farm. Jen was in love and they promptly returned to record the new album, “This Life of Mine”. The environment within Bottega inspired amazing performances from all the musicians. The trees, meadows and wildlife that dotted the landscape of the idyllic acreage brought forth music that helped Lane process all that had happened in the recent years. “This place was like a dream; everything about it just spoke to me”, Lane said. “Not only was it out in the beautiful wilderness, my dream studio was smack dab in the middle of it. There was a grand piano, a Hammond organ, and guitars that Eric Clapton had played.” Having previously worked with Vancouver multi-instrumentalist and producer,John MacArthur Ellis, Jen made the last minute call to see if he’d be available to produce the new album. Luck, or fate intervened and Ellis cleared his schedule to be a part of the project. The next call was to Nick Stecz, who has played drums with Leeroy Stagger for years and was also available. The sessions came together serendipitously and proved to be one of the smoothest, most enjoyable recording experiences Jen has ever had. The title track encapsulates Lane’s philosophy in the wake of all life’s challenges. “My Grandpa passed away the day we arrived at the studio. My first thought was that I needed to get back home but then I realized that my grandfather would kick my ass if I did that. He was an artist and a huge supporter of my music. It ended up being a blessing to be dealing with his loss, reflecting on his life and his inspiration in these amazing surroundings. He was a lover of nature, a sculptor, painter and poet and he would have really appreciated this place and the artistic process. I think his spirit was certainly there with us.” Lane wrote every song on This Life of Mine except for “Thirteen” by Big Star (inspired by a record player that her husband and bandmate, John Antoniuk, bought for her for Christmas). Her songs paint a picture of an artist who is not only a master melodic craftsperson but also able to provoke listeners to think, reflect and feel deeply through her compositions. Shoe, the first single from the album, is a foot stomper of a song – a little bit country, a little bit bluegrassy and a definite fan favourite. “I was in the thick of a recovery from one of my surgeries and John was touring. We live upstairs in a big old house and I was getting a little shack wacky. The “Shoe” reference comes from watching too much Orange Is The New Black, and them referring to solitary as “The Shoe”. At the time that’s how I felt; sort of shackled down for long periods of time yet trying to have some fun in that sort of insane situation,” she said. The 2nd single, Movin’ On, fits the theme of the album in that its overarching message to the listener is about perseverance. “It’s about going through all the highs and lows in life and understanding that the most important thing you can do is to let go and move on. Holding onto things that are painful doesn’t get you anywhere. I know that first hand,” adding that she would rather find inspiration through her tears than just wallow in them. “When people tell me that one of my songs made them feel better, I feel like I did something positive with my sadness.” Lane’s new album has found her in a harmonious place where the world of country, roots, folk and americana music intertwine. “This Life of Mine” is a strong statement by an artist who is now comfortable in her own creative skin and able to honestly, and with great passion and depth, sing about the ups and downs of life – and in the process attract music lovers who appreciate heartfelt emotion, beautiful songs and words that inspire and affirm. Discography & Nominations: 1999 - Sleepless {produced by Jen Lane at Audio Art Recording in Saskatoon} - PMA Nomination/ Outstanding Independent Album 2000 2001 - Injection {produced by Jen Lane at Audio Art Recording in Saskatoon} 2004 - Demos {produced by Jen Lane and John Antoniuk in Saskatoon} 2005 - Live {recorded by Joel Grundhal live at Lydia’s pub in Saskatoon} 2006 - Jen Lane {produced by Efren Pereira Jr. and Jen Lane at Audio Art in Saskatoon} - WCMA Nomination/ Outstanding Independent Album 2007 2010 - For The Night {produced, mixed, and engineered by Steven Drake (the Odds) at Stone Canyon Studio’s in Vancouver} - WCMA Nomination / Roots Solo Recording of the Year 2011 2014 – Jen & John {produced by Jen Lane & John Antoniuk} 2016 – This Life of Mine {produced and mixed by John Ellis at Bottega, Kelowna, BC} Touring History: The Weakerthans, Dan Mangan, Tom Jackson, Randy Bachman, George Canyon, Tegan & Sara, Spirit Of The West, Oh Susanna, Jenn Grant, 54-40, Corb lund, Colin James, Jill Barber, Fred Penner, Aaron Pritchett and more. Notable Showcases: 2015 CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK (TORONTO, ON) 2014 MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN (FORT ST. JAMES, BC) 2014 NESS CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL (BIG RIVER, SK) 2013 MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN (FORT ST JAMES, BC) 2011 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS (WHITEHORSE, YK) NOMINEE* 2011 GATEWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL (BENGOUGH, SK) 2011 NORTH BY NORTHEAST (TORONTO, ON) 2011 PRAIRIE SCENE FESTIVAL (OTTAWA, ON) 2011 SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (AUSTIN, TX) 2011 CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK (TORONTO, ON) 2010 NESS CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY (BIG RIVER, SK) 2010 NORTH BY NORTHEAST (TORONTO, ON) 2009 SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (AUSTIN, TX) 2009 CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK (TORONTO, ON) 2009 LT. GOVERNOR’S LEADERSHIP FORUM (SASKATOON, SK) 2008 ONTARIO COUNCIL OF FOLK FESTIVALS (OTTAWA, ON) 2008 FORGET SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL (FORGET, SK) 2008 NORTH BY NORTHEAST (TORONTO, ON) 2008 SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (AUSTIN, TX) 2007 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS (MOOSE JAW) NOMINEE* 2007 ONTARIO COUNCIL OF FOLK FESTIVALS (LONDON, ON) Appearances on other albums 2003 – Side A, Smokekiller (vocals) 2005 – Side B, Smokekiller (vocals) 2006 – Smokekiller, Smokekiller (vocals) 2008 – 13, Smokekiller (vocals) 2012 – Always With You, John Antoniuk (vocals) 2012 – Brambles and Thorns, John Wort Hannam (vocals) 2015 – How Will I Know, Sarah Farthing (Producer, vocals) 2017 Western Canadian Music Award Nominee "Roots Solo Artist of the Year". New Single "My Man" at radio now!