Waking up on a sleepy afternoon with Sleepy Jan

— by Parthiv Rajeshbhai Solanki

The mood was set. The lights dimmed as a crowd filled Orillia’s local record store Alleycats. The well-kept, hardwood floorboards creaked under the feet of the incoming viewers pouring in to see the band Sleepy Jan, as the four members of the band got their guitars in tune, their voices in check and their mics properly adjusted.

The four members of the band are Dylan Bones Court (lead vocalist and guitar), Karlie Cole (bass and vocals), Matt Waring (guitar) and Allison Ford (drums and flute). All four of them write and compose the music and melody of their songs together and play their own parts in the music making process, while Dylan writes the lyrics. Four cogs in a tightly knit quartet of Emo Rock and Roll called Sleepy Jan, a band whose music is set to wake you up!

The band played their original songs Red/Blue, Rotten Old Body, Corny and OFD that elicit feelings of walking along a lamp lit road on a beautiful twilight evening just as the sun has set and the night mist is rolling in: ethereal, otherworldly and unique. They also played some unreleased songs for audience that had filled up all of the available space in that area of the record store, namely: Off/On, So Long Left to Go and Buttface. All of which seemed to strike a chord with the diversely aged audience and ensured a big round of applause after every song the band played.

Dylan on guitar and vocals was very emotive, conveying his feelings, emotions and thoughts clearly with each and every word and each and every strum of his ruby red Fender. His bandmates played an equally important role supporting his performance as their lead and provided more than apt responses to his singing and strumming, enhancing the effect of his lyrics that seems to pour out of his soul.

The performance was like watching the four have a secret conversation amongst themselves as they played their respective instruments in perfect rhythm and in sync to each other. Like the blooming of a lotus, it was a rare and beautiful sight to behold. It was as if their music sucked you in and transported you to a different world of their making. The world of Sleepy Jan! So, if you ever get the chance to check out this local Orillia and Simcoe County band in person, do not miss it. It’s a party and more with Sleepy Jan in town. (Note: they are playing Alleycats again during the Roots North Music Festival the last weekend in April.)

(Sleepy Jan’s self-titled debut album “Sleepy Jan” is available for streaming on Apple Music, Spotify and Band Camp and their cassettes are available to be purchased at Alleycats Music & Art, Orillia. Their instagram handle is: @sleepyjan.zzz)