Jane’s Party (w/ Side Hustle) @ Dakota Tavern (Toronto, ON) on January 31, 2019 [Photos & Show Review]

Just back from a European tour supporting Tom Odell, Jane’s Party celebrated their return to Toronto by throwing a private listening party to showcase some fresh songs from their upcoming album Casual Island, out February 15th, released independently.

With a lovely assortment of Island-style food and drinks courtesy of Collective Arts Brew, Jeff Giles, Devon Richardson, Tom Ionescu, and Zach Sutton worked their way through seven live tracks to a room with maybe 100 people in it – most of whom were friends, family and JP supporters that the band have culled together on their 12-year journey making music together. Of the seven songs performed this evening, four were from Casual Island; “You’re the Light,” “Wait For You,” “Straight From The Heart,” and “Satellite.” Casual Island producer Derek Hoffman (The Trews, Arkells, Seaway) emerged from the audience and joined the band onstage to perform two songs with them.

Midway through their set, Devon Richardson called the evening an album pre-PRE Party and welcomed everyone in the room to their celebration. Jeff Giles took a bit of time to thank many people and companies for their lasting support, among them Cristina Fernandes, Indie 88, Collective Arts, Skratch Bastid, Leland Whitty and Kirty (Fast Romantics).

Check out the latest Jane’s Party single, “You’re the Light”.

The twelve songs on Casual Island are all excellent – easily showcasing a band hitting its stride. Bookmark February 15th in your calendars as it’s the day you’re definitely going to want to get the entire album into your ears and familiarize yourselves with what is undoubtedly going to be some of the cornerstone songs to your 2019 summer.

Along for the ride this evening were Chloë Doucet and Pete Casey from Side Hustle. They performed a few of their songs as a duo as the crowd worked their way into the venue. A self-described “Toronto Garage Pop Friendship Unit” they played some warm mid-tempo original material that straddled the genres of indie-pop and folk-rock. Check out their songs online.

Jane’s Party’s Setlist:

01. You’re the Light
02. Cigarette Buzz
03. Wait For You
04. Straight From The Heart
05. Satellite
06. Coming On Strong
07. San Francisco

Yup, we’re “Always Down” with some Side Hustle.