In The Know...10 Questions With Jon And Roy

After launching their sophomore release, Homes, in front of 772 people in their native Victoria, laid back folk pair Jon and Roy are hitting the road for a tour of Western Canada. And this brief trek of the West includes a stop at its gateway: the duo is at the Folk Exchange on April 24th. Plus, they'll be at Folk Fest this year!

Homes is the twosome’s follow-up to the acclaimed, Another Noon, an album chock full of breezy, island grooves. The relaxing rhythms and delicate harmonies of Another Noon were so well-received that Jon and Roy were invited to sing the national anthem at a Vancouver Canucks game. Their music was prominently featured on commercials and earned them heavy rotation on college radio.

Homes continues in the vein of Another Noon – it is mellow, accessible fare, music that instantly evokes a warm, beachside feeling. If you’re interested in winning a copy of Homes, I’ve got one for giveaway. To enter, fire me off an email (address on the side) by Friday @ noon with “Jon and Roy CD Giveaway” in the subject line and your full name in the body of the email. I’ll draw the winner randomly and contact him/her shortly thereafter.

I had the pleasure of asking Jon and Roy 10 questions, a grueling interrogation that uncovered, amongst many things, the duo’s most memorable concert to date; some albums that changed their lives; and one film they can watch over and over.

(In case you’re wondering why I only asked 10 questions this time, the answer is simple and embarrassing: I only sent them 10. Counting. Not my forte.)

1. Where are you right now?
Jon: In James Bay, Victoria, drinking coffee.
Roy: At my desk at home still in my work clothes. (I’m a cook at an all day breakfast joint)

Let’s talk music…
2. What’s one piece of equipment absolutely essential to your live show? 
Jon: Usually instruments are a good thing to have.   A guitar pick is a good place to start, I usually don't have one.
Roy: Brushes, tamborines, sticks, shakers, beer...pick one?  If I had to perform a show on one instrument it would be either a conga or an upright organ.

3. What was the most memorable concert of your musical career so far? 
Jon: Playing the Commodore in Vancouver was memorable -- it’s one of those places you dream of playing, especially when you are doing gigs in bars with drunk people telling you to play 'Freebird.'
Roy: Playing the first holiday show at Alix Gooden Hall to 810 people was pretty memorable.  Mostly cause I almost **** my pants.

4. What are some albums that completely changed your life?
Jon: Nirvana/Nevermind, Tool/Undertow, N.W.A./Straight Outta Compton,  Sublime/40 oz To Freedom, Elliott Smith/ Self-titled, Bob Marley/Legend.
Roy: The Doors, Harry Belafonte on vinyl (not sure which album) and Cachaito (self-titled Cuban bassist).

5. Of the albums you own, which has the best cover art? 

Jon: Definitely our most recent (props to Evan Pine our designer).
Roy: Ween - Chocolate and Cheese.


And some hodgepodge…
6. What book(s) are you currently reading?
Jon: Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut.  It’s good.  Also Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami.
Roy: A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber and Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (second time through).

7. What’s one film you watch over and over again?

Jon: Nacho Libre.
Roy: The Big Lebowski, Three Amigos, Nacho Libre.







8. What is your current ringtone?
Jon: Lo-Fi casio classical gangster rap, circa 96.
Roy: Some sweet random LG tune.

9. Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart?
Jon: Colbert, I suppose.
Roy: COLBERT!

10. And finally, a certified toughie…who is your favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, or Raphael)? 
Jon: That is a tough one, I used to like different turtles at different times. I remember liking Michelangelo the most though.
Roy: Not sure, how ‘bout SPLINTER!