Indigenous Artist Spotlight: JD Crosstown

This month we spoke with JD Crosstown, a young singer-songwriter based in Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula. He is a formidable blues and folk guitar player with a natural songwriting sense that brings to mind artists from eras gone by. His debut album Takin’ My Time is out now. Visit his website to find out where you can catch him in Ontario this spring.

JD's Links: Instagram • Spotify • Website

Home

I grew up in Neyaashiinigmiing, but I was born up in Chapleau and have tons of family up in Northern Ontario. I spent most of my time outdoors, hunting and fishing a lot with family, cutting trees, milling lumber, building just about whatever. In my down time, or in avoidance of those laborious activities, I would teach myself how to play guitar and secretly scribble lyrics, as a form of escape from some of the boredom that comes with living in a very rural place.

I was exposed to folk music early on through my dad. He didn't get into it as much as I did, but he definitely introduced it to me, as well as showing me basic guitar chords, which led to me learning more and more. One of my favourite writers is Bob Dylan, ever since I was a wee lad.

The work ethic of the community and family really shaped and still shapes my outlook on life, and the drive to getting things done. Located on the west side of the Bruce Peninsula, which is predominantly broken up by stunning escarpment and fresh water, I think the beauty of the land, but also the harsh climates, can really affect you creatively no matter who you are. In a good way, of course.

The Work

I love looking back on songs, as painful as it can be for various reasons. But I think the pursuit of making a new song or poem or album is what means the most. Trying to tap into the unknown, or just being plain silly, is the whole point. Just having fun, really. But of course it's also therapeutic when you're deciphering the realities of life and need to get something off your chest.

I hope audiences take away the same magic it brings me. I don't know where it comes from or where it may go, but I can hope someone likes it, or it does some good somewhere.

Germany

This year will be my third time opening and supporting Matt Epp across Germany, which I'm very excited for once again. Matt has been quite the role model for me, bringing me along and showing me how to navigate the “music biz.”

The first time was probably the most nerve-wracking, as I had never really been outside the country before and didn't know what to expect. That was also the very first time I got to say to myself that I'm going on tour. It was quite the milestone and continues to be.

Every year we never really know what to expect, as every tour seems to have its own new adventures along the way, even when we're revisiting old venues or house concerts. We're looking forward to the attentiveness that seems to be engrained in German crowds. You could hear a pin drop when you're really playing, which is really nice when we're testing out new material each time we go over there.
 

A Room Full of Antiques

Last year in Munich, there's this place we always play called the Vintage Pub, completely full of antiques and built with the idea that you're stepping back in time. There's nothing new in there, and you have to play acoustically because the owner refuses to have anything modern. It really is a time capsule.

With the amazing built-in audience he has, they're probably one of the most rowdy bunches we get to play for. They get so into it and want to sing along, which ended up happening on one of my newer silly tunes called Bartender, which I dedicated to the owner who was serving everyone.

What's Ahead

I'm looking forward to all the gigs in different ways. It's good to see familiar faces in places I haven't been for a while, and completely new ones too. The one I'm most looking forward to is probably the Small Halls Fest in PEI, as I've never been out east before. ∎