The Canadian Exchange is a new series that suggests Canadian alternatives to mega-selling international acts. Here, American singer-songwriter John Mayer.
John Mayer is a big musical deal. More than half the albums he has made, including his latest, Born and Raised, have debuted at number one on the Billboard charts.
With his celebrity hook-ups and gossip rag cameos, just mentioning his name in a headline elicits a hefty response. In fact, we expect many of you reading this piece are here because you have set a John Mayer Google Alert.
Well, welcome!
And since you are here, allow us to introduce you to a trio of Canadian artists who might suit your passion for smooth-crooning, laid-back musical offerings.
This four-piece band from Ontario's beach country is fronted by talented vocalist-pianist, Nathan Farraro. Where Mayer's compositions are guitar-centric, the Midway State favours piano-driven songs, but the two meet in the same, slightly edgy adult alternative pop, which offends few but appeals to many.
Titcomb is an obvious choice for this list. His vocals and compositions are clearly inspired by Mayer, but the young Toronto-based singer-songwriter displays his own voice maturely on his new album Cicada, released this week. You can listen to the complete album here on CBC Music.
3. Bahamas
If Titcomb is the easy comparison, Afie Jurvanen, also known as Bahamas, is not. However, the Venn does exist. Bahamas' laid-back songs can fool you, can make the casual listener dismiss the complexity of them. But a concentrated listen reveals the guitar prowess of the Polaris long-listed songwriter and provides a new appreciation for the songs.
Related:
Exclusive video: John Mayer performs 'Speak For Me'
Stream songs by the Midway State on their CBC Music artist page
Listen to Liam Titcomb's Cicada in full
The 5 best/worst John Mayer buys on eBay