It only took one listen at his producer’s house in 2003 to convince me that JP Hoe had something special. He’s got a big, powerful, one-of-a-kind voice, and knows how to craft a memorable melody. I knew he was headed for great things and couldn’t wait to share his music with people.
And I’ve been doing it steadily for 18 years now. In that time, he’s put out an early EP, 4 full-length albums, kick-started the creation of one of my favourite live music venues, and created a perennially successful and popular Christmas-time concert, The Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday Show, and a related collection of original and classic Christmas songs. He is one of the most popular live acts in Winnipeg, always performing to sold-out crowds and is a regular at local festivals and major events. He was part of a local supergroup called Middle of Nowhere, which was made up of JP, Rusty Matyas (now known as Rusty Robot), Alexa Dirks (now doing big things as Begonia), Grant Davidson (aka Slow Leaves) and Keri Latimer (leader of Leaf Rapids and Nathan.) He’s extensively toured Canada, The USA, Australia, Iceland, and Europe. Needless to say, the guy’s been busy!
JP has been one of the most played artists on my radio shows and has stopped by the studio to chat and sing at least a dozen times, but somehow, it’s always fresh and fun and interesting.
JP Hoe lives in Winnipeg with his wife and two kids. You can find him online at JPHoe.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. He’s hard at work on a long-awaited new album.
I’ve got more from our conversation that I’ll share on the September 5 episode of my show Tell the Band to Go Home, which you can find at tellthebandtogohome.com.
Music Credits
“Save You (Here I Am Waiting),” “Like I Did Back Then,” and “Run Away from Me” are from the album Hideaway, available on CD and vinyl at jphoe.com and you can download it on iTunes.
“Hang on to Me” is from the album Middle of Nowhere, which is available on CD and vinyl at jphoe.com and you can download it on iTunes.
“Nothing’s Gonna Harm You” is from the album Mannequin, which is available on CD at jphoe.com and you can download it on iTunes.
“We Try” is from the album Hideaway, available on CD and vinyl at jphoe.com and you can download it on iTunes.
2 comments