Jay Semko: Northern Pikes' Frontman Talks About His New Solo Album, Solo Tour and More!

(Saskatoon, SK) – Singer / songwriter Jay Semko is truly one of Canada’s music geniuses. Semko has been in the Canadian music scene for over 30 years. Best known as a founding member and singer for the Canadian band the Northern Pikes (formed in 1984 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), Semko has kept himself busy over the years with other music projects, as well, when not writing or recording with the Northern Pikes.

And it doesn’t look like Semko will be slowing down any time soon.

Last year, Semko released his tenth solo album on Inner Expressions Records called Flora Vista – described on his website as “a rootsy, melodic, acoustic guitar based journey of love, loss, spirituality, addiction and recovery”.

Semko is currently on the Western leg of his solo acoustic tour, being billed as “An Intimate, Solo Evening With Jay Semko.” Ontario fans will get to see the show in March.

Aside from the Northern Pikes and his solo career, Semko is also an international award winning music composer for numerous film and TV productions including the hit TV show Due South and for such films as “Trailer Park Boys – The Movie” (2006), “Men With Brooms” (2002) and “Being Erica” (2009).

The Northern Pikes had a number of Canadian hit singles, including “Teenland”, “Things I Do for Money”, “Wait For Me”, “Hopes Go Astray”, “She Ain’t Pretty”, “Girl With A Problem”, “Kiss Me You Fool”, “Twister” and “Believe”. Two of these, “Things I Do for Money” and “She Ain’t Pretty”, appeared in the USA Billboard Charts and many of the band’s videos charted in the top five on MuchMusic, including “Girl With A Problem” – which made its way to number one.

As a member of the Northern Pikes, which also includes guitarist Bryan Potvin and drummer Don Schmid (Merl Bryck left the band but may be back) Semko has eight Juno Award nominations, four gold records and one platinum record with sales of over 1 million units worldwide. Semko has also received two Canadian Music Publishers Association Awards for “Teenland” and “Girl With A Problem”.

To add to his accomplishments, as a solo artist, Semko has also had two nominations for Canada’s Gemini Awards for Best Music Score in a Dramatic Series and he has won the MMPIA Blizzard and SMPIA awards for Best Music Score as music composer for the movie, “Paris Or Somewhere” (1994).

In 2012, the Northern Pikes were inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Semko is really excited about Flora Vista and his tour. I caught up with Semko this week and we talked about his music, his solo tour and, of course, the Northern Pikes:

Joel – I want to, first of all, congratulate you on 30+ years of making music here in Canada. Between the Northern Pikes, your solo career and other projects, what pushed you to keep going for as long as you have and to keep going?

Jay – Thanks Joel!!! I guess the thing is that I truly love music – there are a lot of challenging situations (and people) existing in the music biz, and entertainment biz for that matter, and it can get overwhelming – whenever I start to experience that kind of stuff, I take a pause and remind myself how amazing music is……music!!!!!!! When I take some time and listen to an incredible song by Dylan, or a piano piece by Chopin, or I just take a few minutes to strum my guitar without thinking about anything, it brings me back to…..music, and how much it is a part of me. I feel very blessed to be alive and making music – I receive email messages from people all over the world who have been touched by my songs and my film & TV music – it’s pretty cool, and it feels fantastic to know that something I’ve created is something that can affect people in such a positive way – it’s very humbling, and often very emotional for me – I feel very, very grateful.

Joel – Do you pay attention to what is current and does that help you or discourage you in any way?

Jay – Yes I do pay attention to current music, although I can’t say that I follow charts or that kind of thing. There is so much great music out there – age isn’t a factor for me – I’ve worked with people many years older and many years younger than me, and when it comes to creativity and the arts, we’re all the same age when it comes right down to it.

Joel – Who do you listen to musically?

Jay – I listen to everything – really – new, current pop, rock and country, and of course the classics of rock, pop, and country – lately deep into Bob Dylan, lots of instrumental new age and classical – when I’m driving, I’m listening……..to everything – I flip around and listen to everything on the radio.

Joel – Last year you released your 10th solo album, Flora Vista, and you are currently doing a solo acoustic tour in support of your new album. Where are you going on this tour and how long are you touring for?

Jay – I’m going across Canada – first leg in BC on the west coast, second leg in Ontario, third leg currently booking in the prairies, etc – I’ve never done a complete national tour with just me and my guitar – I’m having a blast singing, strumming, and literally conversing with the audiences – I’ve had some pretty interesting experiences on the road and in the studio over the years, and once I start talking, it’s hard to shut me up!!!!

Joel – Is Flora Vista released outside of Canada and do you have any plans to tour outside of Canada?

Jay – Flora Vista is released worldwide through CD Baby and is available on all digital sales sites – I currently have no plans to tour outside of Canada, but interestingly, Flora Vista is receiving some solid airplay on roots/acoustic shows at radio in Europe, Australia and the USA, so opportunities to tour outside of Canada may be happening soon.

Joel – I understand your shows have a mix of solo material and Northern Pikes material. Do you balance out your solo songs with Northern Pike songs? For fans who grew up on Northern Pikes, like myself, what can we expect to hear as far as the songs you perform?

Jay – On this acoustic tour I’m playing a real mix of material – of course a number of hit songs from the Northern Pikes, as well as songs from my solo albums, some film & TV music from Due South and a few other surprises…..I don’t make a setlist – I just bring a list of about 60 or 70 songs and let it ride according to the vibe in the room every night.

Joel – Do the songs go over well acoustically with fans? Are the people coming out to your shows mostly older generation?
Jay – I’ve been getting a variety of people at the shows – obviously some Northern Pikes fans, some Due South fans, some people who aren’t even that aware of my past and who know me from my solo stuff – I had someone in Calgary tell me that they thought I had some pretty good potential…….they knew me from Flora Vista only – it was cool!!!!

Joel – I’m sure there is a lot of great history behind your music and your songs. Is there a lot of story-telling, like the history of certain songs, in your shows?

Jay – Oh yes – every song has a story, and I often tell them – that’s a cool thing about getting a bit older…….

Joel – The Northern Pikes were inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame on September 30, 2012 in Regina, Saskatchewan and the band performed at the induction ceremony. Since then, Merl Bryck has left the band and the Northern Pikes is now a three-piece band. Was that the last time the four of you played together? Any plans to continue The Northern Pikes as far as touring goes or to record and release a follow-up to It’s A Good Life (2003)?

Jay – Merl joined Bryan, Don and myself last August (2014) when we played in our hometown of Saskatoon – he joined us for 8 songs – I’m hoping the original 4 of us will do more together in the future. We’ve talked about the possibility of recording new material in the future – we’ll see what happens.

Joel – You have written a lot of great songs over the years. Many songs have created great memories for many who grew up listening to your music, whether it was with the Northern Pikes or solo. Is there a song by any other artist that you wish YOU had written? And if so, why?

Jay – I love great songs, and there are so many great songs out there – I think my songwriting is getting better as I age – I’ve written some pretty good ones – I hope someday I can have a song or 2 in the league of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Don Quixote” or Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”…….I just want to keep on writing from my heart – that’s what keeps me going.

Joel – Thank you so much for your time! Best of luck on your new album and tour.

Jay – Thanks Joel and all the best!!!!

To find out where Jay Semko is playing and to stay in touch with him you can contact Jay at: