A big name in the DIY-punk scene, Jonathon Fraser, better known as Northbound will be releasing his debut album Soul Kiss on November 22nd via Smartpunk Records. Fraser is gearing up for this release with some nonstop touring. He’ll be playing a few dates with his Florida comrades We The Kings then head up the coast to join up with Simple Plan and State Champs at The National in Richmond, VA on October 29th for twenty gigs that will span coast to coast. We The Kings and Northbound will pair up for ten more shows that will lead them back home to Florida from the West Coast.
Although he started off as an acoustic artist back in 2012, Northbound quickly evolved to its current hybrid state between acoustic and full band. This dynamic allows Fraser the flexibility to be the primary songwriter, as well as play shows as a solo act if touring bandmates are unable to join him.
Soul Kiss was recorded in Canada with producer Sam Guaiana (Like Pacific, Silverstein).
“The album is an autobiography of the last few years of my life,” explains Fraser. “It opens with nostalgia, follows through with existential battles of heartache, and ends on a note of acceptance for who I’ve become and the life that has unfolded for me.”
The ten tracks have a wide range of emotions. From ideas about being young, happy, wild, and free, to wanting to be alone but feeling trapped, panicked, or uncomfortable in that position, to not feeling good enough in someone’s eyes,to waking up and knowing that today won’t be a good day, to people not giving you a chance to show them who you are, and to feeling worthless to others.
New Noise Magazine unveiled the lyric video that Fraser filmed in his bedroom for his first single “Hurt Today” which is out today via Digital Service Providers.
