Winnipeg singer/ songwriter JP Hoe’s new CD was a long time coming. His last CD “ the Dear John Letters,” was released in 2008. So he is excited to bring the new CD “Mannequin” to Lethbridge, when he plays the Slice, May 16.
“ It has been a while since my last studio album. I had to take some time to recognize myself as a businessman,” he said adding music has been his full time job for the past three years.
When he entered the studio last January he had 25 songs.
“We had to whittle those down to 15 then to 11. Me and my co-producer had to recognize what songs were best for the Cd,” he said.
“It was a wonderful experience, finally getting back to creating music. That’s the backbone of the career,” he said.
“It was 50 days in the studio. We were there for just for the purpose on making music, no booking or anything else,” he said.
“It’s fun and that’s the whole point of doing it,” he continued.
Most of the songs chosen ended up being sad songs.
“ I’m a very shy person. I think I’m a very uncool and boring person, so I like to observe people and try to capture what they are going through and imagine myself going through it myself,” he said.
“ I’m very usually a happy person, but writing these songs was pretty therapeutic,” he continued.
The exception to the rule is “Lions and Tigers,” an addictive catchy number powered by a mandolin, one of many instruments on the CD including cello and violin as well as guitar.
He made a splash, just as he was starting out, when he got the coveted opening slot on Jann Arden’s 2077 tour, which was the last time he played Lethbridge.
“Jann is a fantastic lady and was very generous with her time. I got to sleep on busses and wake up in arenas and eat catered food and stay in nice hotels, so I got a taste of what success was like,” he said.
“I was just starting out, so I got to see how the music business works,” he continued adding her knew Arden]s manager, which is how he got the slot.
“ I sold 100 CDs a night and I didn’t hear any boos,” he laughed.
He is looking forward to returning to Lethbridge with his own show.
“Lethbridge has one of the longest frisbee golf ranges there is , on the west side,” Hoe observe He will be touring with an unorthodox line-up including a percussionist, a cellist and a violinist.
“I’ve always been a sucker for strings I want to play as much of the Cd as I can and make it sound as close to it as possible. And there wil be five or six of the older songs,” he said noting there are a lot of strings on the CD.
“I hope people will listen and take a look and see something unique and say ‘hey, that’s different,” he said.
“Besides every band brings a bass player and a drummer,” he laughed.
