New Hampshire born, New Brunswick based, Jason Anderson is an award-winning indie folk artist whose work is as anthemic as it is affecting. A poignant writer and consummate showman, Jason’s songs are keenly-observed snapshots of emotion and experience, while his electrifying concerts celebrate the power of the here and now—both invitation and conversation, reflection and release. Personal and passionate, Anderson's music crackles with life. 

Jason has spent the last five years making Canada home, landing first in Toronto before settling in Fredericton. The idea of home—the places we come from, the places we return to—is a powerful theme throughout his epic new record First Light.

After underground success with early albums New England and The Wreath—both released on DIY tastemaker K Records—Jason stepped away from his own music, pursuing both a Master of Arts in Teaching and an MFA in Poetry, as well as collaborating closely with other artists. Most notably, he played guitar on Mount Eerie’s Black Wooden Ceiling Opening as well as Strand of Oaks’ Hard Love, temporarily joining both bands as a touring guitarist to promote those releases. 

Every so often he would emerge—Joyce Manor asked him to open a US tour in 2015—but for the most part Jason seemed content to write and record, quietly self-releasing lo-fi gems like Summer Style, Cold Cold Rain, and 2021’s stunning pair of EPs We Walked Home in Silence and Canyonlands. With Omaha and Restless he began a trilogy of LPs with Salinas Records, one that First Light triumphantly completes. 

First Light is a compelling, cathartic listen, as Anderson’s poignant lyrics and soaring melodies make for an inspired fit with producer Thomas Wincek (All Tiny Creatures, Field Report, Volcano Choir). Wincek’s massive sonic backdrops provide a powerful depth to Anderson’s ruminative narratives and sing-along hooks. Their folk-songs-writ-maximalist aesthetic careens through explosive rockers like Caps Ridge Line and Still Life, pastoral mood pieces like Looking Glass and Streetlamps, and haunting ballads like the pensive Tower in the Fog and gorgeous closer Halloween. 

The whole thing feels a bit like erudite indie stadium rock, somewhere between The Weakerthans and Springsteen. As Anderson puts it, “What started as a text exchange between me and Tom about Joni Mitchell in the 80s turned into something strange and awesome.” What’s perhaps most awesome about the project is hearing a bedroom singer-songwriter pushing themselves in such an unexpected and rewarding way. First Light is a really special record. 

BIO