Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter Name Jon-Rae Fletcher Instruments Vocals, guitar Role Singer-songwriter | Labels Permafrost, Weewerk Origin Toronto, Canada Website www.theriversings.com Record label Weewerk | |
 | ||
Associated acts Jon-Rae and the River, One Hundred Dollars Albums Knows What You Need, Old Songs for the New Town Genres Rock music, Soul music, Gospel music, Alternative country Similar One Hundred Dollars, Yukon Blonde, Colin Potter, Ladyhawk, Bend Sinister | ||
Soundcheck 21 jon rae fletcher
Jon-Rae Fletcher is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded both as a solo artist and with a back-up band, The River.
Contents
Background
Fletcher grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia, where as the son of a minister, he sang in his church's choir. Eventual musical developments included his discovery of Kurt Cobain and the formation of his own garage band. Jon-Rae later moved and founded the original River band with a collective of Vancouver friends, but disbanded the group when he moved east.
The River was reformed with like-minded Toronto musicians in 2003, and they grew into a popular cult band with an ever-expanding audience. Combining country, gospel, rock, and soul, Jon-Rae & The River created a unique blend of music, sometimes complemented by an on-stage choir. In 2006, Exclaim! labeled Fletcher "one of Toronto’s most captivating front-men, thanks to his impassioned performances and his glorious alt-gospel songs. Fuelled by alcohol and a fervent belief in the songs they're playing." Their critically acclaimed album Knows What You Need was released in 2006, but the band broke up soon afterward.
Fletcher moved back out west, settling in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. He released the full length Oh, Maria on (weewerk) in 2009 and toured to promote the album with a new band lineup. Several of his former backing musicians in The River later re-emerged with the alternative country band One Hundred Dollars.