Photo credit: Laura Collins
Elvis Presley once said, “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.”
In other words, you can dream all you want but unless you’ve got the ambition to see that dream through it won’t come true.
With 25 years of experience in songwriting, performing and production, two record deals, and a brand new state-of-the-art studio in the heart of the ByWard Market, Jason Wilkinson has all the ambition in the world.
Artist Alliance is a multi-faceted music studio specializing in artist development and sees to it that each client’s music career flourishes. From branding and public relations to songwriting and recording, Artist Alliance’s proven industry professionals have the experience and expertise required to assist musicians in launching their career from the ground up.
“I called it artist alliance, because I want people to work together. There’s always competition within cities and between studios but I really want to work with anyone who wants to learn.”
The studio space became available two years ago, but for Wilkinson it just wasn’t the right time. Fast forward to 5 months ago, the very same space had resurfaced on the market and Wilkinson couldn’t resist the feeling that it was meant to be. 283 Dalhousie Street would soon be home to his latest endeavour, Artist Alliance.
Wilkinson is a Vancouver native who has been residing in Ottawa for the past 7 years.
“With my record deals wrapping up and a baby on the way, my wife and I moved here and I got lost in suburbia life for a few years. Then, when this endeavour presented itself I couldn’t say no,” he admits. “I’ve been in the hubs of Toronto and Vancouver but I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. This is where my life is right now, my kids are here and there’s a great musical scene so I thought why not.”
Wilkinson may be new(ish) to the city but he’s no stranger when it comes to the music scene. Raised on rock and roll legends like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, and Green Day, he has been singing into a microphone since he was 3 years old, and writing songs since he was 13. For Wilkinson, music has always been an important part of his life.
“Growing up everyone would always ask ‘what’s your backup plan’, ‘what are you gonna do if this doesn’t work out’ and I never had a backup plan because I didn’t look at it like that,” says Wilkinson.
To name all of Wilkinson’s career accomplishments would be a whole other story unto itself as his passion for the craft of music knows no bounds.
He wrote/co-wrote and co-produced 4 albums for Superbeings which garnered extensive Canada radio play. In 2008, after writing and co-producing Beyond The Falls’ debut album, “A Day In The Death Of”, the group was signed to Cincinnati EO Records. Their album gained massive attention in the United States and sent them on numerous tours across North America. Jason also toured as a guitarist with New York Island Records’ band, Jet Black Stare.
His music has been on radio, movies, TV, NHL hockey games, soundtracks and sporting DVD’s and he has sold thousands of albums and singles.
Wilkinson has also written and performed with some of the world’s top bands and artists including The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Billy Talent, The Arkells, Todd Kerns of Slash and over a dozen others!
The legitimacy of his music career is instilled in Artist Alliance. “Going through bands for so many years, is like being in a relationship,” says Wilkinson. “With this endeavour, I really wanted it to just be me. It’s a vision that I’ve had in my head for a long time now.”
“I’m not rich from playing in a band my whole life but when I semi-retired from the performing side of things I was happy and fulfilled. I did as much as I possibly could and that’s all you can ever reach for you. Making a career out of music is what I’ve always wanted to do so this is the second phase for me.”
