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Jack
Harlan
"Jack Harlan is a troubadour
of the new folk noir... his music is lyrical and morose,
moving yet morbid." - The Vancouver Province
Jack Harlan promotional photos.
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life. death. love. hate. like the
yin and yang that inform Taoist philosophy, the dichotomy
of all things is explored in minute detail on "carnival
of mystery", the debut album from observationist
Jack harlan.
raised in alberta, harlan's teenage
journal-keeping eventually led to guitar-driver songwriting
that reflects his own personality in its study of
others. weaned on Leonard cohen, johnny cash and howlin'
wolf, harlan would sooner sit on the blues bus than
take a seat on the folk train.
"i think i'm a blues singer,"
he muses, "because it's not so much about whether
it follows the bars or there's a guy playing harmonica.
It's about stripping things down. blues to me is about
taking the flesh off and walking around with the bones
underneath, in the delivery of the musc live."
in keeping with the blue tone, half
the albums tunes are written in a minor key, resonating
with the minor chord that harlan feels he emits as
a person.
On and off recording and mixing
sessions for two years, an array of producers, this
effort is one 'that will not pigeon-hole me…for
I have taken a little Leonard Cohen, a little Neil
Diamond, a little Glen Cambell, as well as the stuff
I presently get something from and I am making my
own thing' states Harlan.
CARNIVAL OF MYSTERY is dark tales
of broken anthems, of mercy and missed answers. Jack’s
usual vocal/guitar set-up is blended sonically with
everything from Meletrons, to Greek mandolins, to
tiki lounge. The album for the most part is blue in
tone; half of the tunes are written and resonate with
the minor chord that Harlan feels he emits as a person.
‘I describe myself as a blues singer who is
able to stand on the outside and look in…it’s
a pretty good therapy session…naked, bloody
and harsh…but with a white dove in my subconscious’.
On CARNIVAL OF MYSTERY, Jack has
admitted to changing things sonically from his usually
stark, bone-like, country blues live show. 'This record
just turned out this way. I was going for continuity…cause
we were losing that at times in the sessions. I had
all this mid-tempo and slow stuff that seemed to work
well…I say there is enough mid-tempo ballads
on this album to please any Lloyd Cole fan.'
BREATHE OF HEAVEN, the opening track,
can best be described as a slow, steady gait that
whispers a character’s transformation from guilt
to redemption.
LATE HOME TONIGHT is a nighttime
wondering piece for those who have grown tired of
the bar-scene’s forgotten hellos.
In GONE, morality is replaced with the words '…you
want a piece of me, I’ll take a piece of you
and not apologize for what I lean on.' What is obvious
is that Jack Harlan’s lyrics are a major focus
of his music.
JUST A FOOL demonstrates insight
into the realm of the abyss '…you went to the
Doctor, even though you had just been there to see
him. He wonders why he practices when you tell’em
your reasons.'
WE'VE COME THIS FAR TO SAY GOOD-BYE
Jack calls, '…my Neil Diamond number…not
afraid to show those 'love on the rocks' feelings.'
Musically, Jack Harlan is in a state
of experimentation on CARNIVAL OF MYSTERY, trying
every tightrope and using every sideshow instrument
to make his mark as an artist who will not make every
record the same.
DETAILED BIOGRAPHY:
Jack Harlan’s career began
in Alberta, fronting a 'U2' cover band in junior high
school, which often played to school assemblies. Jack
spent most of his time in school writing original
material and was featured in the Calgary Folk Festival,
local Calgary T.V., newspapers and college radio.
At 19, after selling out the local 185-seat Engineered
Air Theatre with only his acoustic guitar and original
songs, Jack moved to Vancouver in search of new inspiration.
Before arriving, he spent some time in Mexico playing
music for ‘missionaries and villagers’
as well as some time in Los Angeles.
Setting aside music temporarily in Vancouver, Jack
studied at the Western School of Funeral Service for
two intense years and was granted his Government Licence
as a Funeral Director and Licensed Embalmer. Though
not directly related to his music career, he considers
this a time of great inspiration.
Always pursuing his belief in writing
his own material, he became known as ‘One of
Vancouver’s most commanding songwriters.’
according to the Vancouver Province.
After headlining in the highly publicized ‘Folk
Noir’ string of shows in Vancouver, Harlan signed
a recording contract with Nettwerk Records and has
an album, Carnival of Mystery, that is to be released
in 2002.
Three other independent albums showcase Harlan’s
music: The Hymns of Sorrow, Scintilla and Morning
Blue.
Jack’s music has been used in Lynne Stopkewich’s
film ‘Suspicious River’ as well as being
headlined in the opening scene for another Vancouver
based film ‘Fallen’. In addition to movie
soundtracks, his music has been licensed for the T.V.
series ‘Big Sound’.
Jack has played Music West and been recorded by CBC,
for the program North by North West, at the local
Vancouver venue 'The Sugar Refinery'.
Jack states that his weirdest and worst gigs were
'playing for coyotes in Mexico' and opening for Dido
at her first Vancouver showcase.
The Georgia Straight says 'he is
a man who works hard at his craft' and the Vancouver
Province says 'his boldness as a writer demands attention.'
Email
jackharlan@gallerylounge.com for more info
or visit jackharlan.com.
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