Harvey Miedreich | Fashion and Advertising Photographer

A few notes about the 100 People Project. 

Thank you to everyone who has come out and participated in a shoot and thank you to everyone who comes to check out our site on a regular basis. So far this has been a really fun project! There are, however, a few misconceptions about this project that I would like to clear up really quick. This project is not only for musicians and is not only for ladies. Anyone is welcome to participate. You just need to be yourself and that’s it. So far all you’ve seen are ladies, but this past weekend we shot our first male participant!  Mr. Joe Nolan. Way to go Joe! Joe is an incridble musician who has played at the folk fest so be sure to watch for him in the next couple of weeks. We are actively searching for more men to come and take part in the project and we’re sure anyone who joins us will have a great time. Please encourage any male friends, coworkers, or family to come and take part. If you are starting a new business come be a part of this project. If you are working for a charity, a bakery, a newspaper, the city, yourself or not working at all, come be a part of this. Everyone has a story. Let us tell yours. If you’re up early one weekend and can’t fall back asleep, give us an email, we’re up early too and we’d love to have you out for this project. Did we mention we meet in front of Old Strathcona Farmers Market? It’s the perfect excuse to get out and get some great, fresh, local food (and heavenly, organic coffee too!)

So click HERE fill out the form and express some interest and we’ll get back to you swiftly.

Today’s post includes two incredible artists. Alex who just played at the OLYMPICS! Are you kidding me? Nope she’s not. And Jessica an incredibly talented local artist who loves Raman noodles and has the BEST story about Canadian geese I’ve ever heard! She also had a show the night before she came out for our shoot and practically stayed up all night just to make iton time. What a great sport! Below you’ll learn more about these ladies and where you can see them perform.

Alex Vissia 

Who are you?

Alex Vissia

Are you shy?

Yes at first I can be

What do you do for fun besides music?

I like hanging out with friends and my sisters a lot. We like to get together and just go crazy.

You are involved in a band tell us about that.

I’m involved in a band called The Plain Janes but I also have my own MySpace page to diversify as well.

What inspires you to create music and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?

Besides creating I really like listening to music and I think that keeps me motivated. Listening to my favourite artists makes me want to write.

Who are your favourite artists?

At the top of my list, Wilco, Josh Renner, Patty Griffin, and Regina Spektor. I recently I started listening to Dan Mangen as well (This guy has a video of himself with Shane Koyczan (the amazing poet who recited his own poem for the 2010 winter olympic opening ceremonies in Vancouver). Also Jen Grant is really great too.

What’s in your refrigerator right now?

I opened it this morning and there was a slice of cake and a rotten tomato.

Could you briefly describe your music making processing?

It either starts with a lyrical idea or a melody. Normally I start with words first because I find it easier to fit a melody around the words than to fit the words around a melody.

What is one thing people can appreciate about you?

I’m pretty open minded and I’m open to new things. I’m open to sponteaity and I’m always looking for a good time.

What is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?

One time at the Haven Social Club on a Wednesday night (Jazz Jam night) and had a little too much to drink and I fell asleep on the bathroom floor.

Where can people buy your music?

The Plain James are on iTunes and amazon. We also sell CD’s at HMV.  You can go to the ThePlainJanes.ca to find out more.

 Do you have any upcoming shows?

Nothing coming up too quick. We did just get back from Vancouver where we played at the 2010 Olympics. They had a spot called Alberta house and we got invited to play there.

Describe your perfect bite…

Probably Apple Pie right out of the oven.

My most significant moment was…

The day I realized I should go to music school and quit business school.

Any last words?

 Well, I need to buy some new mittens because I just lost mine. 

Jessica Jalbert 

Who are you?

Jessica Jalbert  and I’m a musician.

What do you do for fun besides music?

I like playing card games and I love the boreal forrest so I spend a lot of time there when I’m not doing music.

Do you plant trees?

I have planted trees in the past, yes.

Are you shy?

I am introverted yeah.

Describe your perfect  bite…

My favourite food is Raman Noodles which is convenient because it’s cheap. So I guess the perfect bite is just a mouthful of Raman noodles.

You’re a solo act but you’re thinking of joining/creating a band?

I was talking to friends last night and we’re thinking of starting a ridiculous girl punk band.

Where can people buy your music?

They can’t yet. They can buy music from me at Megatunes  when I release some but I don’t have any releases as of yet.

Can they come to your show and buy a CD?

Within the next couple of months there will be something out there.

My most significant moment is…

Well, when I was about 15 my dad and I made a hideout made out of corn leaves and barbed wire fencing and we put it in the middle of this farmer’s field and all these geese came and landed right around us.  The thing was called a blind so they came and landed right around it and started pecking at it. It was pretty freaking amazing.  We knew they would land because they were migrating and it was close to water. As they were landing it was really really loud . That would be my most significant moment.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

A lot of condiments like ketchup and hot sauce and maybe some juice. No solids in there.

Could you briefly describe your music making process?

First, emotional encounter then distance then recollection of emotional encounter. Then I’ll write a song and probably record it right away and go play it for some open stage to see how people feel about it. Once I finish a song I don’t really go back to it and fix it or anything. They don’t always come particularly spontaneously and it takes a lot of time to work on the lyrics.

Where are you upcoming shows?

March 15^th at the haven social club. Old ugly the label has the rest of the details. Check it out and go see her.

What advice do you have for an artist just starting out?

Push yourself, it’s not always very comfortable but if you think about it and doing your art is the only thing you can imagine yourself doing then you better do it even though it’s sometimes hard.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?

In grade 1 this boy I had a crush on called me a wiener and then we were playing tag and I had those adidas button up pants (tear aways) and they just fell right off.