Project Description
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Interview with
JASON PETRIC
from
PETRIC
(26th January, 2021)
Interviewer – Dave Bruce
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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you start writing music?
When I was 15, I found a new love and connection with music. It was a connection that I had never found with anything or anyone else before. It was like falling in love for the first time. That was the point where I knew my life was going to travel down this road. Honestly, I think I was a born writer. About a year ago, I was going through my old bedroom at my parents house, and I found a Remembrance Day poem that I wrote when I was in elementary school. It was really good. It had structure, and rhyme scheme, and substance. I don’t think I am a great writer, but I enjoy it, maybe more than anything else. I was never one to journal, or have a diary, so writing songs or stories feel very expressive and soothing for me.
Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it influenced your current style?
When I was about 12, I saw Nickelback performing on a music awards show, and I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. The lights, the guitars, drums, the long hair. They were the epitome of rock and roll. I’ve always been a huge fan of the band and their music, but that moment really lit a fire in me. Another huge influence has always been Keith Urban. My mom took Tom and I to see him play at a tiny concert hall in Winnipeg, before he became this major super star. It was the best concert I’d ever been to. Again, I felt a connection, with his music and style. It inspired so much. Keith proved that you could play heavy guitar, but still sing love songs. His sound, career, and life have always been so inspiring and influential.
How would you describe your sound?
Hybrid Country. Somebody used that term with us earlier in 2020, and it always stuck. Its not often that we try to “have” a sound, with a song or a collection of music. We generally try to work with strong songs, lyrically and melodically, and then we go and play the parts that suit us. In the past, we’ve worked with people who have tried to force certain elements into our music, and it just felt awful. Our listeners are always going to hear a little bit of country, rock and pop in each of our songs, but as long as it feels genuine to us, we don’t really care what people call it.
Why do you think people resonate with your music?
Thats a million dollar question, which I don’t think I have the answer to. We try to write and record songs that we feel truly represent who we are as artists, and what we’re feeling in our lives. Sometimes people really resonate with that, and sometimes they don’t. Not everybody always likes every type of music, and that is what’s so beautiful about music. I think one of our strengths in Petric, is Toms vocal abilities. He’s a very good singer. I don’t think he realizes just how good of a singer he is. Whether it’s with our songs or our voices, we hope people can always find something to enjoy with our music.
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Your new album ‘Flashbacks’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
Flashbacks IS the evolution of Petric. Back in 2014 when Petric came to be, we were this young, hungry band, who was packing people into the clubs around Winnipeg every time we played. We were all very green, and had a lot to learn, but we found a way to get ourselves a record deal. That label wanted to sign us as a duo, which I look back now, and realize that was a mistake. We’ve always been a band, a trio. Any time Petric has done something magical, it’s been Tom, Jordan, and myself. We couldn’t see that 5-6 years ago, but that’s life. You live, you learn, and hopefully you grow. Flashbacks represents thats growth, and that unity for us. It was the first album that we did as a band. Hopefully we didn’t screw it up!
What are the signature pieces on the Album, and what is your favorite track, and why?
I hope listeners find something special with each song. We spent a lot of time writing and picking these songs. We spent more time discussing which songs belonged on this album, then we did actually recording it. There were a lot of great songs that didn’t make it onto Flashbacks, simply because we felt the ones we chose were the best representation of Petric. We always find a way to have lots of cool guitar parts, and big harmonies, but the song selection was our greatest effort on this album.
My favourite songs are Kids and White Lyin’. Kids is such a perfect representation of Petric. The guitars, the harmonies, the lyrics, the groove. Everything about that song fell together so naturally for us when we went into the studio. We are very happy with how this song turned out, and equally excited to see what the rest of the world is going to think about it. White Lyin’ is a beautiful, but very sad song. It’s a true country song, about a boy who didn’t know how to love someone properly. You can hear the painful regret in every lyric, and I think Tom did an absolutely incredible job singing this song.
Do you have any more new music in the works?
We always have new music that we’re working on. We’ve actually got a VERY COOL collaboration in the works. I won’t say too much, but it involves an incredible Australian female singer!
Any plans to tour Australia when it’s safe to do so?
100%. My wife has already told me that she’s coming haha… which means we have permission to do so, as long as there is room for her!
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If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
My answer changes all the time. I think Keith Urban would probably be the artist that if the opportunity came to collab, it would feel like a full circle moment. His music was the most inspirational music in my teens. His life and career has continued to inspire me. Maybe one day!
What’s next for you in the near future?
As I write this, my wife is 9 months pregnant. So I imagine by the time this gets published, I will be diving into a whole new world of fatherhood. We are expecting a baby boy any day now, which will be my first child. I’m terrified, excited, and everything in between! This will definitely be the start of a very new chapter in my life.
What are your longer-term aspirations?
I think Petric is in the best shape of our careers. This past year, I have been more hands on with the band than ever before, and it led to me starting my own artist management company. I’m currently working with 4 artists, all who have the same goals as Petric, which is to continue to grow their careers around the world. This world has changed so much this past year. It has been a healthy reminder to not get too comfortable, and to keep working hard. As tough as 2020 has been for many, personally and professionally, its been my best year. I hope to continue that!
What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
It’s the best high I have ever experienced. It’s very euphoric. The moment right before we go on… the lights are low, you can hear the crowd. I usually quietly check to make sure I can hear my guitar in my in-ears… and then my mind just starts racing. It’s like revving up the engine on a muscle car. Then we walk out on stage to thousands of people, and its game on. Like sky-diving, you have know idea whats going to happen or if you’re going to land, but for that moment, it’s the fastest ride of your life. There is nothing like it. At least not that I have experienced. I have been addicted to that feeling since I was 18 years old, and our band played for the first at our hometown Transcona Hi Neighbour Festival. I cant wait to get back up and do it again.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Dark Horse, Nickelback
Artist – Keith Urban/Nickelback
Movie – Bad Boys 2
Place to visit – Costa Rica… I had the best vacation with my wife and step daughter in Costa Rice.
Venue to play – Too many to choose. Bucket-list is Bell MTS Arena in Winnipeg. Food – Cookies
Drink –Milk
Person in History – My wife. I truly married the most beautiful, coolest girl on the planet.
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I have many. Some I cant talk about haha my favourite has to be my New York City tattoo. Tom, Jordan and myself were on a press tour a few years back, and we found ourselves in Manhattan for a day. It was something else. Never before had we been. Jordan and I both got tattoos, cause thats was we do apparently. I got the face of the Statue of Liberty on my hand. It hurt quite a bit, but I always get compliments on it haha. It reminds me of a really cool day with two of my best friends.
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Single ’Kids’ is OUT NOW at Australian radio and album ‘Flashbacks’ is available on all digital services.
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Follow PETRIC
Facebook – Instagram – Twitter
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Press release January 21, 2021 below HERE
Canadian Country trio
PETRIC
release single
‘KIDS’
and album
‘FLASHBACKS’
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AMNPLIFY – DB
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