Jay Feelbender releases new single
Praying For Something Good
LISTEN
Out Now and Available on ALL Streaming Platforms
“Praying for Something Good is about holding on to hope in even
the darkest situations, and working to be the best person you can be in spite of adversity.”
-Jay Feelbender
See Jay Feelbender Live In Toronto:
Jun 6, 2023- Bar Orwell – 1595 Dundas St. W.
Jun 30, 2023- Burdock Brewery – 1184 Bloor St. W.
PRESS RELEASE
Drawing on many personal experiences and different influences, Jay Feelbender’ s music paints a portrait of the journey through an artist’s young life — from the fun to the fragile, the introspective to the explosive, Jay feels it all.
“Praying For Something Good is part of my upcoming EP called Reflection Of Casey the sibling EP to my last release Enter the Mirror. Sonically the sound is not drastically different, and that is intentional, says Jay Feelbender, “I want these releases to feel like two halves of the same whole.
“But Praying was different from the rest of the songs on the EP because I didn’t record it in the studio we recorded everything else in,” continues Jay. “I wrote this song at a point when I was really struggling emotionally, and all I wanted to do was create something that involved the people I love. So on my birthday I got out of Toronto with my family to record this song with my dad & brother-in-law, and had my niece and sister sing on it. It will always be a song that means a lot to me.”
Jay Feelbender (alias of Toronto-based musician Jacob Switzer) is the alt-pop glow-up of your dreams. Newly flying solo as Jay Feelbender, he has been sharpening his skills since he was 16 in bands such as Goodbye Honolulu, Luna Li, Creep Creep Beach and HeadSpace.
Jay himself is an amalgamation of many influences. First, growing up in the Toronto alt-folk scene as the child of musician John Switzer (Jane Siberry, The Waltons), with Shirley Temples at the bar, and naps behind the drum kit. And, as the son of filmmaker Ingrid Veninger (Porcupine Lake, MODRA), landing roles in award-winning feature films by Anais Granofsky and Charles Officer, starting at the age of 8. Then, entering high school, Jacob formed the rock band Creep Creep Beach with high school friends (practicing in the garage with shows at DIY venues around town). Later, with some of those same high school friends, creating alt-rock band Goodbye Honolulu (performing for thousands opening for Spanish rock band Hinds on U.S tours and touring Canada alongside Luna Li).
ARTIST BACKGROUND
Pronouns:
He/Him
Tell your journey as a musician… When and how did it start?
I’ve been playing music since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until I met some like-minded folks at the arts high-school I went to in Toronto (Rosedale Heights School of the Arts) that I really started getting into writing my own songs. As teenagers, my friends and I began forming bands and playing our first-ever shows. Discovering some of the DIY music communities in Toronto had a major influence on me when I first began song-writing. Those first tastes of how it can feel to express yourself and connect to others through music had me hooked.
What was the recording process like?:
I’ve been recording with Braden Sauder, my brother-in-law and phenomenal producer & engineer. He’s just completed his home studio, and it’s the perfect place to comfortably lock in and get into the creative zone. He is a musical wizard and I’m so happy to work along-side him.
Where were you born/grew up/currently based:
Born and raised and currently reside in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Post-secondary education/ professional music training:
Finished the IMP (Independent Music Production) course at Seneca College in 2014 and enrolled at OCADU for Integrated Media in 2016 – Present.
Hobbies, interests or special skills outside of music:
I love film, and directing. I’ve made short films with my friends since high school as well as directed/co- directed/creative directed music videos for my band Goodbye Honolulu, plus my solo music and working on projects with friends.
I’ve been traveling and visiting film festivals all over the world with my mother (Ingrid Veninger, pUNK films) since I was a young kid. Having the privilege to be immersed in places like Italy, India, Iceland, Australia, South Korea, United States and more, has had a huge influence on how I see my place in the world, and has solidified traveling as one of my favourite things in life.
I’ve always been very interested in visual arts and have started teaching myself photoshop. I have a page called @Enter_TheMirror on instagram where I share my art.
My grandma (Helen Veninger) is a fitness instructor (and one of my greatest influences in life) but over the last year it’s been hard for her to have contact with her usual elderly clients, so I’ve started doing ZOOM workouts with her every week, it’s fun for both of us, plus I’ve learned a-lot, and it’s re-ignited my passion for fitness!
Other jobs outside of being a musician:
I am a manager at the HOT DOCS Cinema in Toronto.
Cultural/heritage background:
I’m half-Slovak on my mother’s side.
What artists are you inspired by right now and why?:
Dijon, Okay Kaya, & Remi Wolf are three off the top! All contemporary artists who I feel are making art (not just music) that is deeply personal, yet relatable and comforting. They all get me deep in my feels.
Favourite Albums:
Praying For Something Good
LYRICS –
Praying for something good this time
Laying my life out on the line
You’re searching for something you can find
Could showing your hand be such a crime?
Cause you’re always gambling
With what you don’t have
Hoping and wishing and praying
I could be man enough for you
This time
Praying for something good this time
Laying my love out on the line
I flip from the news to channel nine
Looking for something to stop my crying
Cause you’re always gambling
With what you don’t have
Hoping and wishing and praying
I would come back to you
This time
Praying for something good this time
Praying for something good this time