Bodhi Jones was recently chosen as one of the twenty finalists for the Peak Performance Project. The Peak Performance Project is sponsored by the 100.5 The Peak FM and Music BC.

The PEAK Performance Project is a seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to all musicians in British Columbia. The project was created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists. Every year, twenty finalists from BC will receive an intensive, one week training program in the music business, live performance, songwriting, marketing and promotion. Artists will benefit from mentor-ships from some of the music industry’s top professionals and performers. All of these artists will have the chance to perform live in Vancouver on the PEAK Performance Stage. Of these twenty artists, the top three will be crowned as the PEAK Performers of the year and will share $275,000 in cash for career development. First place receives $150,000; second place receives $75,000; and third place receives $50,000.

Interview:

Brian: Tell us about your music and what your musical history has been.

Bodhi Jones:

Pop / Alternative / Folk-Rock

Influences: David Gray, Ray Lamontagne, and Ben Harper

I’d like to provide companionship through my music; to let people know that I’m feeling what they’re feeling. To let them know that we’re going through these struggles together and that we’re gonna be alright, because surviving is what we do best.

In January of 2007, after the heart breaking demise of my band “Rider Jones”, I was at a crossroads in my life. I was 26, and I felt like my best shot at a career in the biz had just disappeared. It was now or never and never wasn’t an option…I knew I didn’t want to go down the band route anymore and that I wanted to go it alone but there was one catch, I didn’t know how to play guitar. I soon made my way to the closest book store and purchased “Guitar for Dummies”. Over the next six months I devoted every spare moment to learning guitar and writing my first solo EP. In July of that year I assembled a backing band and played numerous sold out shows in Vancouver. My first solo EP, “From January to June,” sold 500+ copies in 2 months and gave me the affirmation that I was heading in the right direction with both my life and my music.

I recently wrote, recorded and produced my self-titled full length album in February of 2009 and took it to the streets of downtown Vancouver (Busking 5 days a week). It was tough both physically and mentally go out on the streets day after day knowing I needed to make enough money for rent, bills, and food, but it was definitely not all bad. It re affirmed my belief in the goodness of people and that we’re all in it together. I’m so grateful for the kindness and support I’ve received from both the people of this city and its visitors. One of these visitors was Sharon Robinson, a writer/producer/and vocalist with Leonard Cohen. Sharon noticed me performing on a street corner while on a tour stop in Vancouver, she liked what she heard and I soon found myself in LA to meet with the Head of A&R at Universal. Unfortunately, though the meeting was favorable no deal was reached.

I returned home with a fire in my bones that I hadn’t felt for quite sometime. I began entering various local music contests, leading to a selection by Virgin Radio as the BC Artist of the week in July of 2009, and then much to my surprise I was selected as one of the top 20 out of more than 400 artists to be a part of the Peak Performance Project. I’m hoping to go away with $150 000 to put toward my music career!

Listen to the track In a Minute

Brian: Tell us a little bit of how your summer went, from being selected as one of the artists to participate in the project to being selected as a finalist.

Bodhi Jones: I remember hearing my name announced on the radio and being blown away, I was dancing around, yelling like a lunatic. It was awesome!

I can’t remember the last time I felt that happy. I had no real illusions of winning the competition, I just wanted to get to The Peak boot camp and learn as much as I possibly could and I did. This past 4 months has without a doubt been one of the best times of my life. I’ve grown so much both as a person as well as a musician and have met so many amazing people. I can’t say enough about this project and what it’s done for me, and the rest of the top 20. The sky’s the limit!

Brian: What has been the most rewarding aspect throughout the project thus far?

Bodhi Jones: Wow, that’s really hard, like I said this whole experience has been unbelievable. Everyone involved from the ground on up has been amazing. I guess I’d have to say boot camp was the most rewarding part; bonding with my fellow musicians, learning more about the music industry and what it takes to make it, than I ever thought possible, and being brought way out of my comfort zone. I’m truly excited for next years top 20, this has been such a gift.

Brian: There are some great artists and bands and you are in great company with the list of finalists. What sets your music apart from the other finalists?

Bodhi Jones: Well, for starters I’m just a guy with a guitar. I’m not much of a musician; I just love to write songs. Song writing is my inexpensive therapy. Nothing beats trying making sense of your feelings, turning them into a song and then letting it all out to a room full of strangers. With me, what ya see is what ya get. There’s no smoke, no mirrors, just me, with my heart on my sleeve.

Brian: How do you feel about The Peak, Music BC and Jim Pattison Group of Companies stepping up to assist the growth of BC musicians while the provincial government has reduced funding to many programs. This is a significant contribution of $5.29 million over seven-years.

Bodhi Jones: I feel blessed, grateful, and excited about what they’re doing. The Peak Performance Project is and already has made a massive impact on our local music scene. They all deserve a medal as far as I’m concerned! Politics…I don’t even want to get into the government cuts because it drives me crazy, but I will say this; If they want to keep making cuts to the arts and culture of this great country of ours, they’re gonna wake up one day in a cold, dark, barren world with no semblance of heart or happiness. We can’t keep taking artists for granted, imagine a world without, graphic design, Literature, music, film, television, and architecture…It’s not a world anyone would want to live in. I think I can speak for all of us when I say give me art, not another over paid, part time political puppet.

Peak Performance Project Sponsors: