Mortician Musician

Every artist needs a day job, but how many musicians are also morticians? Jack Harlan, who is no stranger to the ‘reality therapy’ of the funeral industry, spends nights creating his own reality with his brand of plains-spoken alternative folk, singing songs that console and celebrate the rawness within.

While Numerous artists have been tagged as ‘the next Dylan’, Splendid Magazine out of Chicago writes, “Harlan not only has the talent to wear such a mantle well, but the potential to exceed the labels.” Any fans of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and/or Johnny Cash should make note of Jack Harlan.

When asked how life as a Funeral Director and Embalmer affects his songwriting Jack says, “My experiences in the funeral industry have inspired me to write songs that visit the edge of despair, not to be lurid but for reasons of the heart.” The Edmonton Sun says “Harlan sounds more like Leonard Cohen, than Marilyn Manson, who is far scarier than Manson will ever be.”

Jack has played a wide range of gigs from folk festivals, steam engine train tours, singing for poor farmers and missionaries in Mexico, to opening for the pop singer Dido. Hailed as one of ‘Vancouver’s most commanding songwriters’ (Vancouver Province), it was here that he helped found a genre called ‘Folk Noir’, headlining a series of shows with other talented artists. It was also during this time that Jack signed a recording contract with Nettwerk Records (Sarah McLachlan).

Hundreds of shows later, various film soundtracks and a song on the final episode of the popular Warner Bros. television show Everwood, Harlan continues to write, record and play his brand of music undaunted by the hard roads. Though he doesn’t mind critics describing his music as ‘morose’ or ‘heavy-hearted’, Jack points out, “Music is defined by its honesty. Performing is always a positive experience for me. Companionship is found where the music is being sung.” Currently an independent artist living in the honeymoon capital of the world, Niagara Falls, Canada, Jack is traveling the US and Canada selling Cd’s instead of caskets out of the trunk of his car, having a better response and more success amongst the living.

“Fans of moody Americana would do well to seek out any and all”
Sunnyside/ New York/ USA

“Harlan is a new talent to be reckoned with, and he's a Canuck to boot. A heady mix of harmony and melody comes close to Australian Paul Kelly; sharing the gift of birthing songs that appear innocent at first, but contain a wallop of passion when given the chance.”
Cosmik Debris/USA

“The man does everything in his craft to keep from being seen as a one-trick-crony”
Chart Magazine

“…crafts visceral, sweeping tunes that poke and prod the great mysteries: morality, death, redemption, love, guilt and loneliness all figure in his brooding, occasionally tender and always compelling folk vision.”
X Press/ Ottawa

“It’s a beautiful recording.”
Edmonton Sun

“…truly impressive songs…it will hook you”
Indieville

“…the kind of lyrics that reminds you of your last painful break-up. Worth a beer and an hour of your time, no question”
Monday Magazine/Victoria

"...Harlan plays just about every musical style in contemporary popular music.”
Edmonton Journal

“Numerous artists have been tagged as “The Next Dylan”, and almost have many been tapped as heirs to U2. They rarely amount to much. Fortunately, Scintilla suggests that Harlan not only has the talent to wear such a mantle well, but the potential to exceed the labels.”
Splendid/Chicago

“Pastoral qualities strengthened by a sweet and slightly rough rutted voice.”
The Gazette/Albany USA

“Holds court with just his voice and guitar.”
FFWD/Calgary

“His Nettwerk debut, Carnival of Mystery proves he can probe the dark side with scalpel-like precision.”
Tandem magazine

“…the entire album is wonderful”
Music Emissions.com

“A strong songwriter with a gift for poetic imagery.”
See Magazine/Edmonton

“One of top ten Vancouver men to watch this year”
Vancouver Magazine

“Part Dylan, part Nick Drake. A self-contained artist who needs just his guitar and voice to assist considerable vision.”
Bandcouver Radio/Canada

“The opening track Breath of Heaven is as beautiful as an opening you’ll get with a Cd. One of the best songs this year by any artist.”
Altcountrytab.com

‘One of Vancouver’s most commanding songwriters.’
Vancouver Province.

Has shared the stage with John Mann (Spirit of the West), Ron Sexsmith, Fred Eaglesmith, Tom Wilson, Colin James and Dido.

Best material was written with a rye and diet coke in hand, a bag of potato chips with dip, watching ice hockey on T.V.

Jack is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director.

Has toured the USA five times and Canada three times.

Used to play concerts on old steam engine trains. “I think it was an experiment for the organizers...it was a sad, awful and funny at that time in my life. I was shoved in the tiny back corner of a cart. All they had for sound was a cheap 12-inch transistor speaker that I played through. Drowned out by the noise of the train rocking and rolling, swinging back and forth with my guitar in hand trying to keep my balance, I would hold myself up with the microphone stand. I remember playing This Train is Bound for Glory, by Woody Guthrie.

First song he learned to play was Shake, Rattle & Roll by Bill Haley and the Comets.

First job was a movie theatre attendant. “There was only one theatre and I saw Dances with Wolves 26 times. One day, while cleaning the theatre, I found blue silk panties on the floor…I remember thinking to myself, Dances with Wolves? When did you get turned on lady, during the buffalo hunt?”

First band was called The Trainmen formed at puberty and disbanded one year later.

Has had two different documentaries filmed about his life by students at the Vancouver film school. The Director who spent countless days following Jack’s every move is currently nowhere to be found.

Greatest inspiration for writing songs is the changing of seasons.

First concert was Iron Maiden when he was twelve.

First learned he was a sap and had a knack for writing depressing songs at ten years old when he would catch himself crying to the opening and closing music of the popular television soap opera Young and the Restless. “I was ten would sit looking out my bedroom window on a rainy day just thinking.”

Some favorite recordings of songs in no particular order:

My Father’s House (sung by Bruce Springsteen)
True Love Ways (sung by Buddy Holly)
Everybody’s Talking (Sung by Harry Nilsson)
Good Hearted Woman (sung by Waylon Jennings)
I Am The Cosmos (sung by Chris Bell)
Be Not So Fearful (sung by Bill Fay)
It Seems So Long Ago, Nancy (sung by Leonard Cohen)
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (sung by Roberta Flack)
God Almighty Gonna Cut You Down (sung by Odetta)
Nothin’ (sung by Townes Van Zandt)