Jason Hastie recently sat down with TC to chat about being the #1 downloaded Canadian album last month on iTunes, Nashville, and the Northern Pikes.
Q
Your new single ‘She Ain’t Pretty’ hit radio earlier this month. It’s an old Northern Pikes tune. Describe your inspiration for recording that song.
A
I grew up in Saskatchewan listening to the Northern Pikes & She Ain’t Pretty was one of my favourite songs of theirs. I thought it had some good country elements to it, so started performing it live at my shows. It went over so well with the crowd that I decided I wanted to put it on my album. I contacted Jay Semko from the Pikes who I’d met at the CCMAs and he not only thought it was a great idea; he did the cameo of the ‘dad’ on the song.
Q
You were recently the #1 Canadian downloaded artist with your album Turning Point. How excited were you when you found that out?
A
We were watching my album climb the charts all day. I was incredibly happy when it made the Top10, and to have it go #1 was unbelievably overwhelming & very surreal. I may have jumped in the air & done a couple of fist pumps – haha
Q
Favorite musical memory so far?
A
I’d have to say that my favourite musical memory so far was travelling to Nashville for the first time. It’s an incredible town – the people are great, it’s a beautiful place, and you’re surrounded by music. Going there as a singer-songwriter made it even better because you are surrounded by your peers in the industry.
Q
Who’s been your biggest influence?
A
Definitely my grandma. My parents wanted to buy me a piano when I was young, but couldn’t afford it, so my grandma helped them pay for it. She drove me to all of my piano recitals and always encouraged me to keep practicing. She was incredibly talented and I still think of her almost every day and wish that she could have seen me pursuing music and following my dream.
TC’s Fun 5
- Favourite album on your iPod right now? – Eric Church – all three of his albums
- The one thing you can’t live without on the road? – Does it sound too obvious to say music? It’s true though! I always make sure I have my iPhone loaded up and my MP3 cable and speaker – haha!
- First thing you notice about people? – Their smile. You can tell a lot by someone’s demeanour when and how often they smile.
- Beach or mountains? – That’s a very tough one. Both are so powerful in their own ways – I love listening to the waves crash on the shore and how powerful, yet calming they can be. The mountains are so majestic and big and I truly am in awe each time I see them. I am very fortunate to live near the mountains and I get out to them as often as I can.
- Favourite city? – Another tough one! I consider “Nashville” a town, so does that exclude it? Haha. Other than that, I’d have to say London, England. It’s expensive and overcrowded, but I love the culture and the history and I love the English accent. London is the gateway to Europe, an awesome continent, and my dream would be to tour through Europe playing shows … I’d either start or end my tour in London.
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