Multi-award-winning Saskatchewan country rocker JJ Voss will be in Moose Jaw on September 10 for River Street Promotions’ (RSP) second annual Homestand concert at Ross Wells Park.
Voss grew up on a small farm in southern Saskatchewan and is now based out of Regina. His latest album Come Along With Me was released in 2020 to critical acclaim, with praise for its emotional depth and courageous approach to social issues. He won Male Artist of the Year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards (SCMAs) in both 2021 and 2022 — along with numerous other awards — and can be found on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
Voss spoke with MooseJawToday.com over the phone about the concert, being a performer, and why standing up for mental health is a good use of time.
“I got to know Jared Mathieson (of RSP) probably in 2019,” Voss said. “We shot a music video out in Moose Jaw as I was getting ready to release my album. Joel Stewart (another RSP member) is a music video director from Toronto and I had wanted to work with him for years, and he suggested that we shoot it in Moose Jaw.”
That music video was for his song “Some People”, which can be watched on YouTube.
That kicked off a relationship with RSP and Moose Jaw itself that Voss has enjoyed ever since.
“I’ve played a few shows in Moose Jaw since then, and it’s just a really great community,” he added.
Voss' performing career started at 8 years old when he picked up his dad’s guitar. He started his first band, Hired Gun, at 13. Odd jobs here and there notwithstanding, he’s been a musician and performer ever since.
The most exotic international location for Voss so far was Colombia. He joined a rugby tournament touring Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city. Once famously the most dangerous city in the world as the home of Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel, the city is now relatively safe and prosperous, although poor areas remain.
“We went through some pretty rough neighbourhoods,” Voss remembered. “It was very rewarding, I’d love to do it again. One neighbourhood we went into, the police don’t even go there. So, these people were incredibly poor … and they were just so happy to have us come through. It really puts a person’s life into perspective.”
The pandemic was a difficult time for Voss. His favourite part of performing is when his materiel connects with his audience, so doing online shows and self-isolating was not fun.
“When somebody comes up to you and says that a song you wrote touched them or connected with them, that’s the payoff. I love traveling as well, the whole experience. Being a touring artist is special for me.”
He turned the time off into a positive experience by prioritizing family events and being present for a “normal life” — his words — which he found rewarding in a different way than his career has been.
Voss’ latest album tackles the stress that COVID brought to Canada and made him even more aware of the need for supportive communities.
“I love the work that (RSP) is doing. Mental health affects everyone on a day-to-day basis. Being able to provide resources and awareness for kids, I mean, how can’t that be a good thing?” Voss asked. “In my industry, it’s very much an emotional roller coaster ride. … When you create something artistically and put it out there for the world to see, you’re pretty vulnerable at that point. Rejection is commonplace and it can be devastating.
“The way I’ve coped with it over the years is by having peers that I can talk to. … I think communication is key, having people to open up to and discuss what you’re going through … makes you feel like you’re not alone.”
Buy your tickets to Homestand ’22 from www.riverstreetpromotions.com. The four-act concert will follow a live streaming of the Banjo Bowl — the Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Food trucks, beverages, community, and a great cause will all be part of the day.
