Jon Mckiel: Monster of the Miramichi

Not Canadian? Haven’t heard of Jon McKiel? That’s because he’s been holed up in the small coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in a dimly-lit house with boarded-up windows, armed only with a thinly-strung guitar and a half-smoked cigarette, writing some of the most beautiful indie-pop songs we’ve ever heard with a voice like an angel. Joined by his bandmates Josh Kogon (bass), Cory LeBlanc (drums), Mike D’Eon (guitar) and Colin Crowell (synth and trumpet), Jon McKiel improves upon the tradition of fellow Halifaxian bands like Sloan and Wintersleep by combining deep pop sensibilities with rich descriptive lyrics and haunting melodies. On songs like “123 My Friend” and “Get Caught,” Jon delivers the genuineness that has attracted many to fellow singer/songwriters like Andrew Bird, Ryan Adams, and Matt Pond PA. His voice sounds, to me, something similar to my favorite artist, Jason Molina's.

The story behind the song is horrific. It references the nickname given to Allan Legere, one of  Canada's serial killers and arsonists who killed 5+ people in his span from 1986-1989.