By Kerry Doole
Jesse Northey - Soul Seeker (Victory Pool Records): Onion Knight, the new album from this Canadian indie singer/songwriter, came out earlier this week, preceded by the single Soul Seeker.
This well-crafted pop tune has tinges of psychedelia and hints of the '70s in its lush production and prominent keyboards. Northey's vocals are warm and mellow, and he comes up with nifty lines like "my head is thicker than a London fog." The work of Andy Shauf and Harry Nilsson are valid reference points.
The tune is accompanied by an eye-catching video, directed by J.S. de Courcy, who explains it this way: "Nobody steals boats anymore, especially ones without motors. This is maritime counterpoint; three movements of passion with a finale of love."
Although a producer himself, Northey recruited Thomas D’Arcy (The Sheepdogs, NOBRO, Yukon Blonde) for this role on the album, recorded at Taurus Studios in Toronto.
In a label press release describing the album, Northey notes that “Onions are associated with crying. I wanted to conjure imagery that confronts the stoic heroism associated with masculinity and take a jab at it.”
Northey's songwriting prowess has earned him a place on the elite High Priestess Publishing roster. As the leader of Jesse & The Dandelions, he has shared stages with Hollerado, Said the Whale, and July Talk, and toured extensively in Japan. His varied resume includes heading Victory Pool Records, a record label and management company working with the likes of Witch Prophet, The Deep Dark Woods, Marlaena Moore, Ghost Woman and OMBIIGIZI.
Northey is now playing dates in Western Canada and is at Toronto's The Garrison on Sept. 2. Itinerary here.
Publicity: Ken Beattie, Killbeat
