First single gives fans a sneak peek at Merineau's upcoming release

When Sault musician Jesse Merineau began recording almost two and a half years ago, his original plan was to put together a 12-track full-length release. Unfortunately, he failed to budget accordingly, and recently decided to scale the project back to a four-song EP scheduled for release later this summer.

Currently signed to Tidal Records, Merineau released That Night, the first track from the upcoming EP this past Friday. The single also includes an accompanying music video directed by Phil Kluba. It’s all part of his grand scheme to build hype around the project – spread some singles out prior to the main summer event.

“I didn’t want to shoot my project out all at once. It will hopefully make it feel like more of an event,” he told SooToday.

While there’s no underlying theme woven throughout the EP’s four tracks, Merineau said they’re all based on his life and experiences.

“Growing up between the ages of 17 and 21, I wrote songs about what I was going through… break ups, moving from the Sault to Toronto, and things like that. I just wrote about my life in that moment,” he said.

Joining Merineau on the album is an impressive cast of characters that includes Jason Pierce on drums (Our Lady Peace), Ricky Tillo on guitar, and David McMillan on bass (Big Wreck). After he met Pierce in the Sault during a Treble Charger gig, the two became friends. When it came time to record, Pierce rounded up the troops.

Classifying his sound as indie pop rock, Merineau’s biggest influences include the likes of The Arctic Monkeys and The Kooks.

“I sound nothing like them, but yet they’re my biggest inspirations,” he laughed. “Just being into them made me want to be like them, but not sound like them.”

Although details of the EP release celebration have yet to be finalized, Merineau has a performance scheduled for Thursday, March 22 at Algoma U’s Speakeasy. Doors open at 8 p.m., Dustin Jones and the Rising Tide play at 9 p.m., and Merineau performs at 10 p.m. Admission is $10 and tickets are available at The Rad Zone, Case’s Music and Thomas Walls School of Music.

To follow Merineau and keep up-to-date on all upcoming releases and performances, please click here.