REVIEWS
JONA BYRON - EXTINCT HEARTS (Popboomerang)
Byron has been a common name on the billboards of venues specializing in ‘Acoustic Nights’, but here he dispenses with sole reliance on his Maton and employs a more than competent array of guests to flesh out the seven songs contained on Extinct Hearts, a prelude to his full album debut planned for next year. Guests including bassist Edmondo Ammendola from Augie March and the cellist Francesa Mountfort.
Byron’s lyricism is his key talent and songs are built around his acute observations and abstruse depictions, perfectly reiterated by the dark and saturated artwork, which brings to mind Neil Young’s Tonight’s The Night. With gorgeous backing vocals from Vicuna Coat’s Kat Winduss the opening title track is a highlight: “Talk about things that matter the most / Everything matters to me / Every single creature on earth / Every dwarf star and every blue birth / Every microscopic strain of life / Changes right before our eyes”. With a worldview like this, and its totally honest expression, you can expect Byron to be a reliable, sensitive and honest narrator. His sensitivity has clearly taken a beating and risen stronger and more perceptive because of it; Joan of Arc and Arm Yourself especially present him as a man ready to take on a world that he has sucked the marrow from.
Though his lyrics frame the music there are moments of great musical beauty, the backing for Beautiful Bird set aloft through Pete Uhlenbruch’s flute and beautifully simple string arrangements, sweetening the sting of Byron’s lyrics. There is an uncomfortable intimacy at times that some may find off-putting, but for those brave enough to take the ride, one that concludes with a brave and disorienting take on The Times They Are A Changin’, there is a fierce intelligence at work on Extinct Hearts, one that will likely be even bettered on his forthcoming album. – Andy Hazel (Inpress Magazine, Dec '09)
Extinct Hearts - Sydney Morning Herald Review
Personal Experiences and political beliefs are very much to the fore on this Melbourne singer-songwriter’s “mini album”, with his statement in the title track “everyone is mad” pretty much summing up his feelings.
Generally, though, his lyrics are a lot more cryptic, in an intellectual-cum-arty way, and delivered with a relaxed tone to evocative effect. His gentle guitar adds to the sonic imagery, be it bluesy folk, rolling rock or epic string-laden moments. Finishing with a cover on what is essentially a get-to-know-me release (a full album is due this year) may seem like a strange choice but his version of Dlyan’s The Times The Are A Changin’ is given such fresh emotion it’s like a new song. - Paul Smith (Sydney Morning Herald Feb 4, '10)
Extinct Hearts - Scene Magazine Review
After reviewing so many local indie musicians, I can honestly say Australia has a lot to be proud of. One of the most promising talents is Jona Byron, a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter whose recent mini-album is impressive. The seven tracks are delivered in deep, poignant vocals that complement the emotive lyrics. ‘Extinct Hearts’ is highly personalised and even the cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are a Changing’ seems to belong to Byron. He will release a full length album later this year and if it’s anything like this mini-album, then it’ll be another great win for the Australian indie music scene. - Alberto V.S. (Scene Magazine, Feb '10)
Extinct Hearts - MX Review
So who's Jona Byron? Nobody really, and he'd be the first to tell you because Byron is nothing if not brutally honest. One listen to his debut release and it's clear Byron has issues. One look at his bio and it's easy to see why: He was born in Sydney, illegally adopted by nuns, returned to his mother, who then fled to WA and settled in with a bunch of hippies-cum-artists. Later in life he moved to Melbourne, where he's remained for the past 10 years. But his early childhood clearly scars still. There's only seven songs on this mini-LP (six originals and a Bob Dylan cover) and all cut to the core: 'we're made of wounds, we're made of scars,' he sings on Joan Of Arc. And he's only just warming up. On the title track he declares "I will my death, this is no buzz I'm seeking.' All right then, clearly this isn't a pep me up. Even when you spot some sunlight ("life is a beautiful bird…") there's clouds closing in ("…flying lost in the world"). And the final track, a cover of The Times They Are A Changin' seeks out the shadows, taking what was a defiant call-to-arms and turning it into a brooding apocalyptic premonition. Self-produced in lo-fi intimacy, which only adds to the haunting tone. Byron sounds like a cross between Eliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens and first album Alex Loyd. If this makes the charts it'll be, well, amazing. - Stevie Nix (MX Magazine, Nov ‘09)
Jona Byron demanded the audience kept up its attention by bombarding us with highly demanding, hugely intense singing and stomping. His melodies were catchy, his riffs were great, he built his songs into a splendorous plateau half way through the song then kept us there unashamedly for several further minutes. The break that followed was a well deserved rest. - Jo Robinson (Roarhouse, March '09)
Jona Byron of The Boats is a man who is well versed in how to make an epic of the ordinary. His lengthy songs and lyrically evocative tales swell slowly and captivate what should be a drained audience, but we all listen rapt. The new 'Red Jerusalem' ("Fill my cup with sand / You'll bury my eyes / I won't see you my friend / Turn blood to water") shows a mind keen at work and with the upbeat closing 'All My Days Are Mad' a broad pallet is proven and another talented individual joins the fold of Laterra. - Andy Hazel (Inpress Magazine, Dec '07)
Gives you a kind of Bob Dylan folky feel. Quite dark at times but full of atmosphere, blended together with good melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics. Very deep but cool.
- Pat Fagan on the Dirty Royals EP (Elevation Station, Scotland, Nov '03)
Australian, alternative folk meister, Jona Byron has been compared to some of the very greats in music such as Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley and Thom Yorke and on hearing the opening track of this independent EP (Songs From The Blue Parade - 2002), I could see why, 'Goodbye Blue Monday' opens like a morphing of snippets from the KLF's 'Chill out' and Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' and builds on a dark, melancholic [without being miserable] country vibe. Stand out track for me is the beautifully understated 'Goodnight to the Moon', a piano and a voice can sometimes be all you need to get the message across. Sounding at times like the Penguin Café Orchestra jamming with Crowded House on Valium. A&R verdict: Jona Byron will be huge, mark my words! He's a class apart…… high quality music, introspective words, significant production head....4.8/5 - Iain Fugue ES A&R Panelist (Molotov Records, '02)
I've known Jona Byron for a couple of years. During this time I've seen him perform shows and heard various demo recordings of his music. As well as being an able and talented songwriter he possesses a unique voice that is not only of a high quality but is also very distinctive.
- Matt Walker '02 (Musician/ARIA Winner)
Pretty songs feature near-spectral male vocals that wind around themselves, forming loops your ears eagerly trace as if they were visibly hanging in the sky. Acoustic strummings tie off all the pretty, floating tips that comprise these songs.
- Kali.H (Listen.com/Rolling Stone)
