Ian Janes at L'Astral in Montreal - JAMES ST LAURENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter, Ian Janes released his 4th album earlier this year Yes Man. His first album, Occasional Crush, was relased in 1998 to critical acclaim (when he was 20). A second album, 2002’s As It Seems – was nominated for two East Coast Music Awards and named Record of the Year by Music Nova Scotia

At the release of his third self-produced album, Piece of Mine, in 2010, Janes, a father of three, was augmenting part of his living doing carpentry work but was also being drawn to returning to making music full-time. His musical influences include Joni Mitchell, Carole King and James Taylor among his many favourites and has worked with a variety of writing partners that lists Andy Stochansky (Goo Goo Dolls, Ani DiFranco), Lee Ann and Daryl Burgess (Irma Thomas, Colin James) and Joel Plaskett.

“Songwriting is a muscle. The more you use it, the better you get at it.”

– Ian Janes

Janes recently started writing for others including a country ballad “Can’t Remember Never Loving You,” which was co-written with Byron Hill, and featured in the TV drama Nashville in the mid-season finale.

Janes was in Montreal, opening for Matt Andersen, playing a variety of fan favourites In concert Janes recalls how his young son had commented that I “Can’t Remember Never Loving You,”! Shortly before the start of the show, I ran into Guy Belanger in the audience – Guy said he was a longtime fan of Janes and commented on how well he “crafted his songs”. After the show, I realized the validity of Guy’s observation. Don’t miss Ian Janes next show.