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Jon Shrier’s star is on the rise
Local musician racks up gigs, is about to release first CD

Humble, hardworking and heartfelt — Whistler’s Jon Shrier is reminiscent of how you’d imagine Bruce Springsteen must have been before he made it big.

Strumming his guitar and singing at his new weekly gig at the Fifty-Two 80 Bistro at the Four Seasons, Shrier’s vocals are powerful and passionate. The lyrics of “One Day,” an original tune he wrote recently, are beautiful.

It’s no surprise that Shrier seems to be everywhere these days. You might have heard him singing “O Canada” at yesterday’s July 1 celebrations. You can find him providing the soundtrack for a happy hour of sorts at the Fifty-Two 80 every Friday through the summer.

On Saturday (July 4) he’s doing triple duty — an acoustic set in Town Plaza from 3 to 4 p.m., another in Village Square at 5 p.m., and then an evening show at the Crystal Lounge. Another street entertainment set follows on Sunday in Town Plaza.

Still can’t get enough? Shrier said now that he’s moved to Whistler from Pemberton he’s often participating in the various open-mike and jam nights around town.

An on-and-off local resident for more than a decade, Shrier recently took the leap into full-time music. He’s had success before, but all the gigs lately and the fact that he’s writing “constantly” and about to release his first EP seems to indicate he’s made the right choice.

“I’m pretty sure this is it for me,” he said. “I’ve never been more driven.”

Originally from Montreal, Shrier said he’s dabbled in music and performing over the years, playing for weddings and other events every now and then. But in the last year or so, he said his inspiration has “tripled.”

He’s using his voice as more of an instrument, taking risks with scatting and other styles. He’s also experimenting with a range of cover tunes — taking songs by Green Day, Bob Dylan, REM, Simon and Garfunkel and more and making them his own.

“I kind of pride myself on taking a song… and putting my stamp on it,” he said.

He describes his original music as “feel good stuff” that’s honest and sincere. The plan is to release a six-song EP in mid-July, then follow-up with a full length CD before Christmas, he said.

While the recent flurry of activity is translating into a lot of local exposure, Shrier is no stranger to the Whistler spotlight. After years of dabbling in the local music scene, he earned himself a day in the studio and some music industry connections when he took the 2008 Sea to Sky Battle of the Bands title with the band he formed for the competition.

He won more studio time when he was named the King of Song in a competition at the Crystal Lounge last October.

Shrier is also to be featured in an episode of Roadhouse, a new TV show highlighting Canadian talent such as Jim Byrnes, Mother Mother and the Odds. The series is expected to air in the next six months or so.

Shrier said he’s grateful for the opportunities, and he credited much of his inspiration to the support of Whistler’s local music community. He said he just wants to do a really good job and make people happy with his music.

“It’s really about your perseverance,” he said. “I’m never going to stop this learning or getting better.”

Check out the talents of Jon Shrier every Friday at the Four Seasons starting around 5 p.m. Keep up with other upcoming gigs at www.myspace.com/jonshriermusic.

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