Over the past eight years, Saskatoon-based recording artist Jen Lane has
shown that the trials and tribulations she endured during that time
have led to the creation of what is thus far her most personal,
compelling and powerfully evocative album.This Life of Mine, her 5th studio album, is the culmination of a time in Lane’s personal and creative life that can truly be described as a roller coaster ride that began after she was sidelined with a foot and ankle injury that took several years and multiple surgeries to repair.
With her first two releases, Sleepless (1999) and Injection (2002) Lane garnered a lot of attention within the Western Canadian music scene. Sleepless was nominated for a Prairie Music Award when Lane was just 16. Her self-titled 2006 album and the 2010 follow-up, For the Night, were both nominated for Western Canadian Music Awards and Jen received many notable showcases across the country and into the US including 3 trips to SXSW.
Having previously worked with Vancouver multi-instrumentalist and producer, John MacArthur Ellis, Jen made the last minute call to see if he’d be available to produce the new album. Luck, or fate intervened and Ellis cleared his schedule to be a part of the project. The next call was to Nick Stecz, who has played drums with Leeroy Stagger for years and was also available. The sessions came together serendipitously and proved to be one of the smoothest, most enjoyable recording experiences Jen has ever had.
Lane wrote every song on This Life of Mine except for “Thirteen” by Big Star; her songs paint a picture of an artist who is not only a master melodic crafts-person but also able to provoke listeners to think, reflect and feel deeply through her compositions.
"Shoe", the first single from the album, which was released in the fall of 2015, is a foot stomper of a song a little bit country, a little bit bluegrassy and a definite fan favorite.
"Movin’ On", the second single, fits the theme of the album in that its overarching message to the listener is about perseverance. “It’s about going through all the highs and lows in life and understanding that the most important thing you can do is to let go and move on. Holding onto things that are painful doesn’t get you anywhere. I know that first hand,” adding that she would rather find inspiration through her tears than just wallow in them. “When people tell me that one of my songs made them feel better, I feel like I did something positive with my sadness.”
Lane has found a harmonious place in the world of country, roots, folk and Americana music. This Life of Mine is a strong statement by an artist who is now comfortable in her own creative skin and able to honestly, and with great passion and depth, sing about the ups and downs of life – and in the process attract music lovers who appreciate heartfelt emotion. This Life of Mine will be released Feb 26th, 2016.
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