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original article Jason Collett

=Jason Collett= Jason Collett is a Canadian singer/songwriter. Well known for being a member in Broken Social Scene, Collett produces his own solo work as well.

Personal Life
Collett was born in 1967. He grew up in Bramalea, Ontario, and moved into Toronto as a teenager. While he has also spent time in Flesherton, Thornbury, and Markdale, he currently resides in Toronto with his wife and four children. While Collett is known for his musical career, he has also worked as a carpenter - performing home renovations along with custom home building.

Early Acts
In the late '80s, early '90s, Jason collet had joined alternative rock group Ursula. Post Ursula, after taking some time off, Collet joined Brid in the mid '90s, with Andrew Cash and Hawksley Workman.

Broken Social Scene
In 2003, Collett joined Broken Social Scene after the release of their album, ''You Forgot It in People. Collett played bass and guitar for the band. The first album Collett recorded with the band was the self titled LP, Broken Social Scene winning the band the 2006 Juno awards for Best Alternative Album. Although Collett has put more of a focus on his solo work, he still associates and makes music with the band.

Bitter Beauty
In 2001, Collett released his first solo album, Bitter Beauty.

Motor Motel Love Songs
Motor Motel Love Songs was released in 2002, as Collett's second solo album. The album was made up of previously released songs.

Idols of Exile
The year 2005 was the release of Collett's third solo album, Idols of Exile. Collett had numerous musicians join him on this record, such as, Leslie Feist, Emily Haines, James Shaw, Evan Cranley, Amy Millan, Andrew Whiteman, Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, and Charles Spearin.

Here's to Being Here
Here's to Being Here was released in 2008 as Collett's fourth solo album. This album was worked on with his touring band, Paso Mino. The album includes guests Andrew Whiteman, Tony Scherr, and Liam O'Neil.

Rat a Tat Tat
The 2010 release of Rat a Tat Tat would mark the release of Collett's fifth solo album. Working closely with Canadian band, Zeus, Collett places many references to being Canadian with songs like "Lake Superior," and "Winnipeg Winds." The album was a Long List nominee for the Polaris Music Prize.

Pony Tricks
Pony Tricks was released in 2010 alongside Rat a Tat Tat. The songs are almost all reworks of previous songs Collett had produced - excluding "Pulling the Sun Down," and "My Daddy Was A Rock 'n' Roller" - which were both new releases. Collett released the strip-down album when fans asked for songs that reflected his solo shows when touring.

Reckon
The 2012 release of Reckon, Collett's seventh solo album, brought out Collett's political side. The album was fueled by he economic crisis of 2008. Collett reflects of the lose of homes and jobs of the middle class. The album was recorded at the same time as the Occupy Movement. Guests on the album include Afie Jurvanen, Basia Bulat, Kevin Drew, and Zeus.

Basement Revue
Since 2007, Collett has been hosting his Basement Revue show in December.

Location
The event started out as dinner parties at Collett's home - inviting friends over and passing a guitar around the table. Usually hosted at Dakota Tavern in Toronto, the event has also been hosted at the Great Hall (2012), as well as the Avening (2013). Luminato has also hosted the event at the Berkeley Street Theatre since June, 2013.

Guests
People who attend the Basement Revue do not know who will be performing until they step out onto the stage. Previous performers, either involved with music or literature, have been: Feist, Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Atwood, Anne Waldman, Marina Abramović, Karen Solie, Buck 65, The Sadies, Bahamas, Snowblink, Hayden, Chris Murphy (Sloan), Kevin Drew, Broken Social Scene, Andy Kim, AroarA, Linda Spalding, Ken Babstock, Sheila Heti, Michael Winter, Dom Flemons (Carolina Chocolate Drops), Lisa Moore, Vag Halen, Patrick Watson, Vincent Lam, CAConrad, Rufus Wainwright, Kevin Connolly, Julie Doiron, Torquil Campbell (Stars), Doug Paisley, John K. Samson (Weakerthans), K-OS, Luke Doucet, and Melissa McClelland (WhiteHorse).

Acting
Although not well known, Collett's first acting debut was in 2009 for a movie entitled Iodine. He played a character called Deputy Peel. Collet has also performed on the stage as well. In 2013 he was casted into the play Cowboy Mouth, co-starring with Jessica Huras.

Politics and Social Activism
Collett is a known supporter of the New Democratic Party (NDP), a supporter of Jack Layton and performer at a memorial event for Jack's passing in 2012. . Collett has also collaborated with other Canadian artists for the song "You Have a Voice," to call people to vote against Stephen Harper and fight climate change. Collett used his music to try to create an identity for Canada, something he said Harper had failed to do. . On his album Reckon, Collett addresses the negative side of this identity, fueling the record with his feelings towards the economic collapse that spurred the Occupy movement. . Collett has also been featured on a compilations for Governments Accountable to Society & Citizens = Democracy (GASCD) to help with social activists legal fees. Collett has also spoken about the music scene within Canada, pointing out how not suing Napster could have aided Canadian musicians, who Collett says currently struggle within the poor standing of the Canadian music scene.

Discography

 * Bitter Beauty (2001)
 * Motor Motel Love Songs (2002)
 * Idols of Exile (2005)
 * Here's to Being Here (2008)
 * Rat a Tat Tat (2010)
 * Pony Tricks (2010)
 * Reckon (2012)