Jimmy Current is like a self-help hip-hop narrative with extreme attitude and edge. The key orators of Jimmy Current are Justin Mayer and Daryl Kehler. This dynamic duo composes their own instrumentals, writes their own lyrics and along with Vancouver based producer Richard Dolmat produces their own sound that can passionately be described as purpose driven angst that makes you want to dance, cry, think, get angry at the world and laugh out loud. Combine ½ a cup chest rumbling bass, 1 tablespoon sequenced drums, a dash of catchy synth melodies, a zest of flamenco influenced guitar and a punch of piano all into a melting pot of musical tastes. Cook on high for 74 minutes, let chill and then cook again and again and again.
Straying far from the coattails of modern music’s overloaded indulgences and impersonal lyrics, Jimmy Current has worked hard to formulate their own recipe for success. By combining their vast array of influences into one solitary concept Jimmy Current has shaped a soundscape as unique as they are. Justin Mayer & Daryl Kehler have been laying low honing their craft and making their art better everyday all while preparing and maintaining an incorporated independent record label. Finally their long awaited debut album “is…” released December 8/2008. Carried by lofty goals and passionate thoughts of their own potential, Jimmy Current is set to travel the path with their best foot forward.
Justin Mayer became introduced to music as a child. Dancing in the crib before being able to walk, crawling to the stereo and putting the headphones on to listen to the latest vinyl and taking the knobs off to hide them just to get under the skin of his parents. A true rebel and problem child from birth, yet socially responsible and always educating himself. After completing high school with top grades and numerous awards he took a year off before feeling the pressure to do something with his life. Based on others suggestions of what he should do Justin decided to enroll at Durham College in Oshawa taking Design Foundations and finally finishing with a degree in Business. Justin had top marks in class until his final year, when he started questioning the whole system, “What good is all this anyways?” Justin did not begin to actually make music until only 5 years ago. A late start for most people, yet the perfect start for him as he explains “I needed time to find myself as a person, and to experience more things in my life, come to grips with the World and myself and all their beauty and ugliness.” On a move back to BC from Ontario, and with an ever-increasing desire to somehow get involved in music, a stop in his high school town of Clearwater reunited him with a long time friend and partner in crime Daryl Kehler. Whether by fate or coincidence Daryl happened to have an unexpected week off of work, and with the biggest knock on the door of either’s life, their musical journey together was about to start.
As a teenager Daryl Kehler undertook the daunting task of teaching himself to play guitar. Instead of learning a slew of cover songs Daryl took his meager instrumental ability and jumped headfirst into songwriting and composition. Pages of notebooks were filled as Daryl honed his craft and learned the fret board. Keeping his art to himself, Daryl’s private pursuit would remain as an intimate venture into self-exploration and development for many years. “It was an easy escape sometimes, other times it was a harsh conversation with myself that I needed to have.” An early culmination of his musical pursuit was coupled with a leap into technology. The affordability of a computer based recording studio prompted Daryl to invest in technology and himself. Purchasing a microphone and a PC he turned his bedroom into a makeshift recording studio and set about recording a solo CD. The experience of being a recording artist and a recording engineer was the catalyst that caused Daryl to rethink his future, and he soon found himself moving to Vancouver and enrolled in an audio engineering program. Graduating the program top of his class, Daryl left with a sense of excitement and remorse. Time spent working with other artists only served to magnify Daryl’s passion for being an artist himself, and left with a begrudging feeling towards taking direction from others. Another quick turn of fate found Daryl back in his hometown working unfulfilling jobs, until that fateful day he heard opportunity knocking and opened the door surprised to find Justin standing there…
Jimmy Current encourages you to check out their debut release “is…” which was released December 8/2008. Experience a true emotional roller coaster ride, every track placed specifically to complete the puzzle. Can you figure it out?
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