Jon Martin and Lovers is a gang of pals from southern Alberta that got together in 2019 to make a hazy blend of Alt-Country, Americana, and British pop music. Led by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jon Martin, …and Lovers guides audiences across fields of enveloping melodies, through tales of bittersweet love, and into the trenches of rock and roll. The influence of life under prairie skies—with all of its beauty and heartbreak—is heard ringing throughout every one of their songs.
Focused on craft, honesty, and musicality, each member of the group, featuring Jon Martin (vocals, piano, guitar), Joel Grey (guitar, slide guitar, vocals), Jason Oakes (guitar, vocals), Max Hopkins (keyboards, vocals), and Paul Holden (bass), brings a wealth of creativity, perspective, and experience to Martin's songs.
The band is currently recording brand-new music at Green Recording Company, in Lethbridge, AB, and collaborating with drummers Emily Dolan Davies (Brian Ferry, The Darkness, Kim Wilde), "Hurtin' Albertan" Brady Valgardson (Corb Lund), and local wizard Kyle Harmon (Leeroy Stagger). The amazing 2020 Jon Martin and Lovers had planned—with a brand-new full-length debut LP, confirmed festival performances, and other special events—has been shifted to 2022 out of necessity and to leave much-needed space for the many political, social, and cultural changes happening in the world.
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The band's first release was a dual-single featuring the songs "Young Heart's and "Here Right Now" on September 20th, 2019. Their music has been played on CBC Radio One (Key of A, Homestretch, Eye Opener).
The Los Angeles music blog LA on Lock said:
Focused on craft, honesty, and musicality, each member of the group, featuring Jon Martin (vocals, piano, guitar), Joel Grey (guitar, slide guitar, vocals), Jason Oakes (guitar, vocals), Max Hopkins (keyboards, vocals), and Paul Holden (bass), brings a wealth of creativity, perspective, and experience to Martin's songs.
The band is currently recording brand-new music at Green Recording Company, in Lethbridge, AB, and collaborating with drummers Emily Dolan Davies (Brian Ferry, The Darkness, Kim Wilde), "Hurtin' Albertan" Brady Valgardson (Corb Lund), and local wizard Kyle Harmon (Leeroy Stagger). The amazing 2020 Jon Martin and Lovers had planned—with a brand-new full-length debut LP, confirmed festival performances, and other special events—has been shifted to 2022 out of necessity and to leave much-needed space for the many political, social, and cultural changes happening in the world.
—
The band's first release was a dual-single featuring the songs "Young Heart's and "Here Right Now" on September 20th, 2019. Their music has been played on CBC Radio One (Key of A, Homestretch, Eye Opener).
The Los Angeles music blog LA on Lock said:
"It is hard to believe this is the debut single from Jon Martin and Lovers because 'Young Hearts' already has that big epic band sound. I hear Wilco, and Drive By Truckers, and a dash of Old 97s to this one and i can't wait to hear where the band goes from here with their blend of Americana/Alternative/Indie Rock sound. 4 out of 5 "
The New Jersey music blog comeherefloyd said:
"Delightful effervescence with non-foreboding body of taste and wonder comes with Jon’s vocals and tone of his band. One of two debut singles by JON MARTIN AND LOVERS, ‘Young Hearts’, is a beautifully confessional take of emotions and lessons that make up our day-to-day and beyond."
The song "Young Hearts" was a finalist in the 2019 Ship and Anchor Songwriting Competition (Calgary, AB) finals, while the song "When Colours Fade" was a placing finalist in the South Country Fair Songwriting Competition (Lethbridge, AB).
Jon Martin and Lovers were a finalist in the 2020 Canadian Music Week Virtual National Talent search.
Jon Martin
vocals, piano, guitars, songs
Jon Martin is a Canadian/British songwriter, composer, singer, and producer for Jon Martin and Lovers, The New Weather Machine, and as a solo artist. Starting from humble beginnings making experimental music with a cassette four-track, Jon’s endless curiosity led him to release several albums, perform across western Canada, and be an in-demand record producer in southern Alberta.
Martin embraces his raw and honest voice, both as a songwriter and a performer. He is drawn to the power of a subtle turn of a phrase, the intricacies of song form, and the beauty of delicate melody. In the bittersweet alt-country/Americana heartbreak of his current project, Jon Martin and Lovers, Martin mixes a cocktail of dry wit, honesty, and reality, adds a dash of lyrical surrealism, and pours it into a tall-glass of British pop music.
Jon is currently writing and recording music for a yet-to-be-titled solo album and the debut Jon Martin and Lovers record (which follows the 2019 release of singles “Young Hearts” and “Here Right Now”). He is also discovering what happens when you push all of the keys on the piano at the same time.
While he is fully focused on the future, some of Martin’s recent highlights include working with drumming legend Kenny Aronoff on The New Weather Machine's 2017 album Seas of Dawn, completing his Master’s of Music degree, creating a permanent audio exhibit at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, and performing Open Doors and Parallel Windows at the 2018 Burning Man Festival (UNPOP).
jonmartin.ca
Joel Gray
guitar, slide, vocals
Joel Gray is a Lethbridge based musician, collaborative artist, and guitar instructor from Grande Prairie, Alberta. He has recently acquired a Bachelor of Music Degree from The University of Lethbridge and also holds a Diploma in Music Performance from Grande Prairie Regional College. He is currently the lead guitarist for The Silkstones, Bailey Kate, Jon Martin and Lovers, and frequently collaborates with artists such as Max Hopkins, and The Moon Runners.
Jason Oakes
guitar, vocals
Jason Oakes is a musician born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. Guitar is Jason’s primary instrument though he has dabbled in many other instruments as well as songwriting and recording. Jason currently plays in Jon Martin and Lovers. Outside of music, Jason enjoys mountain biking, judo, and spending time with his friends and family.
Max Hopkins
keyboards, vocals
Max is a singer-songwriter currently based in Lethbridge who enjoys and plays music of all kinds. His performance resume ranges from operatic collaborations with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra to opening an intimate house concert with Jon Bryant. When he’s not playing and writing music he is outdoors, being physically active, or reading.
maxhopkins.ca
Paul Holden
bass, mandolin
Paul Holden is one of the busiest musicians in southern Alberta. He doesn't have a smart phone or a Facebook account, yet still manages to live a full and happy life.
