Looking Forward, Looking Back: Jason Bajada
On his new album & his Top 5 records of 2011
When it comes to live music in Montreal, December usually pales in comparison with the rest of the year. This year is no exception, and that’s okay. Except if you’re a music writer trying to talk about what’s going on within a given scene and that scene isn’t so busy.
That’s why instead of looking forward, I wanted to look back—on 2011. And I wanted to do it with a friend: Jason Bajada.
Bajada’s The Sound Your Life Makes hit shelves this fall, announcing that whatever malaise the singer/songwriter wanted to get out with 2009’s Loveshit was mostly gone. In contrast to Loveshit, Bajada’s sad bastardpiece, the new record is warmer and stronger; it projects Bajada’s strength rather than his desperation, and by doing so, lets audiences know him as his friends do.
Kind of.
Jason Bajada on his new album, and the life his new sounds have made (for him):
It's been quite good finally getting to see some stage action, playing these new songs for different people every night. I can't complain, and won't.
…on what early 2012 will find him doing:
More touring; cleaning my apartment; learning the arrangements behind Pet Sounds from A to Z; plans of exporting the music to Europe; collaborating; opening for Coeur de pirate, being a great human being. I also plan on taking a month to write and record some French songs. I finally feel ready to collide with that beast—and be devoured.
…on if this all means he’s happy, or at least content:
I've never been happier. I owe lots of it to someone who knows who they are. I've been learning to slow my mind a bit and as cheesy as it sounds, live in the present moment and swallow every minute lovingly. I think I've unlocked some sort of magical ninja secret to life.
…on whether Magical Ninja Secret to Life is his next album title:
Yes. Two points for you.
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As a bonus, Bajada was kind enough to share with us his Top 5 Records of 2011.
Bon Iver (S/T):
“A true grower. Very Peter Gabriel-esque soundscapes, with a heavy live show to boot. Justin Vernon has travelled through more genres and exploration in the past three years than most artists do in an entire career.”
Tom Waits (Bad as Me):
“Tom Waits doing what he does best. The brawling bastard can make genius with a bullet mic and a wah-wah pedal. From gorgeous to gritty, it's all here.”
Fleet Foxes (Helplessness Blues):
“Prog-folk. Pristine musicianship and harmonies. These guys make sophisticated sound so graceful.”
James Blake (S/T):
“Antony meets dubstep. The term dubstep is already getting on my nerves…[but] never mind that, this is delicious music, simply put. The micro beats sound like they actually are little creatures crawling out of your speakers.”
Kurt Vile (Smoke Ring for my Halo)
“This, to me, is the sound of Iggy Pop writing folk songs. I had always wondered what that could have sounded like. ‘Jesus Fever’ is definitely one of the year's best songs. Makes me wish I still had a tape deck.”
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