I am a little late on this profile of JF Robitaille. He released the EP that I just acquired in 2006. Robitaille released his first full-length LP around a month ago, so I am comforted in the fact that I have not missed material in between, but I do still have to pick up the new album. I am a firm believer, though, that it is never too late to get into any musician (most of my favorite artists stopped recording music prior to my birth) and I follow my mantra today with the Canadian singer-songwriter JF Robitaille.
The Blood in my Body (EP) was Robitaille’s first release as a solo artist and its rich six-song bounty provided listeners five years ago with the same folk joy that it provides listeners with today. I am living proof. Robitaille is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter, already achieving comparisons to genre masters Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen. His smooth voice, creative lyric and acoustic verses certainly plant him in the cabbage patch of singer-songwriters. But in order to sprout higher than others the music needs a sticking factor, a charm that makes listeners want to listen to songs on repeat. Many cannot get over this hump. Robitaille has the talent to do just that.
(Song starts at 30 second mark)
“Morning After Morning” is a simple piece. Basic chords picked by Robitaille while the rhythm section keeps linear heartbeat-like percussion. Yet, and I’ve said this a good amount of times on The Music Court, simplicity is not a bad thing when the song’s tight structure is intriguing. “Morning After Morning” keeps your attention.
“New York” is not even two minutes long. It is also a much more frantic piece. The choral harmony is quick, but enjoyable. It is also fly-trap catchy. It is a good sticky though. The verses are carried by shortly stroked chords and fast-paced drums. The lyric is also noticeable.
“I died while I was dreaming,
For a second I stopped breathing and I woke up on the quiet side of town.
Didn’t sleep that year at all.
A haze of cigarettes and alcohol, this dust had settled in my eyes.”
The diction certainly hits hard even in this short piece.
Check out some more of Mr. Robitaille’s music by following this link to his website
The Music Court 
We filmed this lovely chap during Canadian Music Week 2012 – check it out, it was absolutely fantastic: http://bit.ly/HrzS6X
Great video. Appreciate the share!