Monsters

To call Jeff Barkman’s road out of tiny Steinbach, Manitoba the one less traveled would not be doing justice to the incredible journey of this up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Music has always been the driving force in Jeff’s life and, like any lifelong relationship, it has seen its share of highs and lows. From performing on the street and selling his homemade EP out of his guitar case, to traveling across the country to pursue his passion, his struggles have shaped his lyrics and the emotion behind his unforgettable voice.

While Steinbach is a regional hub for numerous industries, Jeff knew that he would never be able to achieve his dream if he stayed in the small town where he was born. Jeff bought a ticket to London, England - home to a thriving indie music scene - where he spent six months honing his sound. While Jeff still counts grunge bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam among his early influences, his time in the UK gave him exposure to many new artists and vocal styles such as David Gray, Black Crowes and Coldplay. This contributed greatly to the evolution in his own sound which has been described as the raspy wail of Kurt Cobain combined with the vocal agility of a 1950s soul singer.

Music is Jeff’s passion, his heart, and the title track of his new album Assembly Line Surgery, exposes the struggle that Jeff has experienced in order to do what he loves. After abandoning a successful career in corporate sales, Jeff risked it all and moved back to Winnipeg hoping that a friend would help him get the start that he needed in the music industry. But it was too good to be true; his friend couldn’t deliver and, left with no job and no place to live, Jeff moved back to Steinbach into his parents’ house. After falling headlong into a deep depression, panic turned to peace with the realization that his current situation didn’t define his whole existance and that the power to change was completely within his control.

Surviving the darkness and heartache of this period caused a transformation in his heart. He returned to Toronto with $50 in his pocket, not knowing where he would sleep for more than six days, with an even stronger resolve to pursue his music, no matter the sacrifices necessary.

Jeff’s perseverance and passion have begun to pay off. His first full-length album Assembly Line Surgery was released on iTunes in October 2011 and has received great acclaim from listeners and fans. Jeff has toured across Canada performing with talented artists, including Switchfoot and The Bachelor’s Michael Stagliano, and is mining the depths of his soul to create his second album, which will further evolve his unmistakable sound and his continued ascent towards the elite of the Canadian alternative music scene.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Jeff Barkman, please contact Jennifer Nagy at jenn@jlnpr.com or 1.647.867.0093.

Monsters

Jeff Barkman

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