“Stories for the Soul” was released on Oct 7th 2011 through the MGM/Green label and fuses many genres including funk, rock, reggae, tribal, Latin and Celtic music. This album is a deeply personal reflection, taking us with Jay as he relives the past few years spent on the road and across the seas. Drawing inspiration from the his stories and experiences spent around the world, the tales reveal stories of love, learning, possibility and heartbreak; rich with history and central to the soul-building journey that is this release. The album features many of Australia’s premiere musicians including Adam Page, Chris Finnen and Ria Loof.
Jay Hoad has spent the last six years touring around the globe, following the sun and his inspiration for music throughout the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Fiji, Canada and North America, keeping up a relentless touring schedule whilst passionately learning about third world culture and every style of music he can sink his teeth into. Last year Jay was honoured to support Bob Marley’s ‘The Wailers’ on the East coast leg of their North America tour, and has also performed on electric and acoustic bass with the Temptations, Dionne Warwick and Blood, Sweat and Tears amongst others.
The result... a very funky and high-energy show that sees Jay sitting in a cockpit of instruments including didgeridoo, weissenborn lap steel, dulcimer, guitar, harmonica, ocarina, percussion, loops, voice and then some. Mouth, hands and feet work in harmony as Jay fuses many genres and unusual instruments to create a sound that's hard to believe comes from just one person.
Jay's effortless use of his loop stations allows him to go from one instrument to the next, creating a dramatic visual for the listener portraying a sound that can be compared to a large band. Jay also often strips his music back to beautiful acoustic weissenborn, dulcimer and dulsitar instrumentals, mesmerizing audiences with his controlled beauty as he makes his instruments talk.
His other projects include the Jay Hoad Band, a seven-piece band featuring Jim Miller (Trumpet), Tim O’Brien (Saxophone), Ria Loof (Vocals), Mat Long (Guitar), Henry Moncreiff (Drums) and Miles Sly (Percussion). Since the Jay Hoad Band was formed in 2007, they have done numerous tours throughout North America, Canada and Australia. Much like Jay’s solo show, the band covers many genres of music and has a fiesta type vibe that has shaken dance floors at music festivals from North to South and East to West!
Jay’s shows are always different from one night to the next; he has a vast range of repertoire and prides himself on his consistent high energy "play every night like it's your last" vibe, always giving the audience complete respect and a deeply heart felt performance.
The “Stories for the Soul” tour kicked off in Alice Springs on August 26th 2011 and continues throughout SA, WA, FIJI, QLD, NSW, VIC, New Zealand and wraps up in Japan in mid-June. The Tour sees Jay featured at many iconic venues and festivals so be sure to keep an eye on the website as you never know where he may pop up.
For full tour schedule please visit:
For all media related enquiries please contact Kellie O’Connell
email: management@jayhoad.com