Jean-Paul De Roover

Jean-Paul De Roover

With an innovative approach to music, Jean-Paul De Roover is much more than a solo artist. Accompanied by live looping, guitars and a voice used as an instrument, this ‘sonic architect’ builds his songs from foundation to facade before your very eyes. Beginning with dead silence, his performance could lead anywhere: full a capella harmonies, rhythmic tribal beats, noise-layered worlds of ambient rock, campfire-folk, electro-ballads and anything in between. With lyrical content that can be brutally honest, or lovingly truthful, one thing is certain: the originality and creativity of his timeless performances shines through to every listener.

Although he was born in Thunder Bay, ON, he was raised overseas in Africa, Asia and South America, before moving back to North America in 2001. At this time, he compiled all of his worldly experiences and began his serious musical endeavors. In the earlier part of his musical career, Jean-Paul has had the opportunity to share stages with acts like Simple Plan, Alexisonfire, Treblecharger, and more recently The Weakerthans, among countless others. He has also showcased at international music festivals like NXNE, Red Rock Folk Festival, FAM Festival, Field Festival and many others since beginning to pursue a solo career in 2007.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Jean-Paul’s musical background is quite varied, having been in a myriad of groups and ensembles, from pop to barbershop, punk to bluegrass and more. With influences like the writings of Steve Martin, the gloom of Nick Cave, the uplifting fun of a capella to the brutality of metal, the songwriting of folk and the energy of punk rock, he’s developed a style of well constructed, hook-filled post-pop that is decidedly his own.

He has worked hard to develop the “extraordinary talent of being a one man band without any of the clichés” (Blissdelamess). When asked about why he took this live approach, Jean-Paul said “I wanted to challenge myself by having to record every part of my show live, on the spot. It keeps me on my toes, and provides a unique show for anyone that sees me live.”

Combine that with his now familiar red piping ‘jungle gym’ gear platforms, and you’ve got an aurally and visually stimulating live show.

Since 2009 he’s taken to the road for 3 cross Canada tours (spending almost 8 months on the road in one year) to promote his newest release “Windows and Doors” – an album on a mission (The Georgia Straight) – that folds into a 3D house, and the singles for “Fix” and “You”, whose respective music videos have both been featured on MuchMusic as well as several music and film festivals. If the drive and ambition of 2009/10 is any indication, Jean-Paul De Roover will be a relentless musical force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Press

“Intensity is the cornerstone of Windows and Doors…And really, that’s the brilliance of this album: De Roover’s ability to take rather simple chord progressions…and create deep layers of interest. This isn’t an album of dreamy, purposeless folk rock; it’s an album on a mission. (3.5/5)” - Miranda Nelson – The Georgia Straight

“What Jean-Paul De Roover has delivered is something that is inspirational, creative, engaging, calming and intensely disturbing at times. What this album ISN’T is safe, formulaic, and predictable. The few tunes that are set to a more traditional 4/4 time rock beat seem to act almost as traps, blinding you of the rabbit hole the next track is going to plunge you headlong into. …this album is custom made for anyone that demands a little more than what is offered from their music.” - Derek Wall – The Argus

“I’m a ‘metal guy’. Everyone knows that ‘metal guy’s’ don’t use the word gorgeous to describe music. One listen to Jean-Paul De Roover’s debut full length ‘Windows and Doors’ and I caught myself saying it over and over again. There is an incredible attention to detail that a lot of other people either miss or ignore…Not so with Thunder Bay’s own mad scientist: Jean-Paul De Roover. The songs are well crafted, catchy and down-right gorgeous. Not to mention that Jean-Paul is also trying to help solve the homelessness problem…where else are you going to get a pre-fab house for $20?!” - Jason Wellwood – Program Manager & Loud Rock Director for CILU 102.7 FM

“Windows and Doors is a mixed bag – but that just adds to the whole theme of choices, the listener has a variety to pick from and no choice is the wrong one” - Interrobang

“Armed with an acoustic guitar, a drum machine and an arsenal of effect pedals…Furiously multi-tasking with apparent ease, De Roover added layer upon layer of vocals, guitar and drum samples…as he built a thick wall of sound” - The Charlatan

“I have my eye on Jean-Paul De Roover. I think he’ll be as good as, as influential as, Robert Fripp – never heard of King Crimson? Then you’re younger than I am. But if you have, you may want to go if only to make comparative notes, and rekindle the feeling of truly seeing something fresh.” - The Chronicle Journal

“Jean-Paul has a fantastic sense of melody, song craft and a devious mind when it comes to musical experimentation.” - CILU 102.7 FM

“He is a sensitive singer with a flexible voice, he lays down harmonies and background sounds (including percussive noises) with an ease and facility that is amazing to watch/hear. He reminds me at various times of Brian Wilson, or Lindsey Buckingham.” - David Kidney (Rylander Quarterly Online

“To describe it is nearly impossible and to shove it into any genre is unfeasible” - The Argus

“Once you’ve seen him perform once, you can’t help but love his music. His unique style combines live guitar playing, voice and percussion with synthesized sound filters and bizarre electronic effects…It is hard to capture such a unique performance as delivered by Jean-Paul De Roover…he has created a music genre of his own and his talent and creativity never cease to impress and amaze” – The Argus

“He does experiment with ambience and acoustic, almost tribal guitar work (“Catharsis”) and neat, classic rock-inspired melodies on the visceral “Elements”…” - Exclaim!

“”Elements”, stands out as unique with deeper vocals and contrasting beat boxing offset by acoustic guitar. Not only is the music interesting, the lyrical content is as well.” - Northern Rocks Magazine