Jaclyn Reinhart embraces her love of 90’s rock on her latest album, Adventures.

Matt Carter | @M_J_C73

On her latest album, Adventures, New Brunswick musician Jaclyn Reinhart puts her heart front-and-centre, blending songs of love and heartbreak with just enough optimism to keep the tears at bay. And that’s not to say the album’s nine tracks are delivered through dreary ballads that make listening a labour. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. On Adventures, Reinhart sidesteps the folk-rock feel of her 2011 debut EP, Favourite Mistakes, this time embracing her love for straight ahead 90’s rock and roll.

“It’s different, for sure,” said Reinhart, “and that’s what I intended. The first record was songs I wanted to finally put to bed because they were some of the first I had ever written. This record represents how my perception has changed. So of course I wanted my sound to change since at heart I love rock and I guess my 90’s muscles got flexed.”

Reinhart credits producer Andrew MacRae at Mastertracks Recording Studios for helping make the album she always wanted. With MacRae’s help, Reinhart assembled the backing band of Mathieu Benoit (drums), Job Goud (bass) and Aaron Currie (guitars) and with Fredericton multi-instrumentalist Kelly Waterhouse continued backing vocals throughout several tracks resulting in a fresh new sound and creative direction for Reinhart to explore.

“I told Andrew what I wanted for this record and he did it, along with some of the best musicians on the east coast. The sound is influenced by my adventures and my love of the Foo Fighters. This turned it into a rock music representation of my life. Our motto through recording sessions was ‘What would Dave Grohl do?’ I think Dave would be proud.”

“Basically we need to live our lives for real and not pay as much attention to the people who try and drag us down especially though social media.”

As the name suggests, Adventures came about after a series of life changing events. Recorded in 2013 and 2014, the album was put on indefinite hold while Reinhart, a single mother, found herself putting music on the back burner while she wrestled with the challenges of everyday life. But despite the lengthy hiatus between recording and releasing the album, she believes the songs resonate personally, now more than ever.

“Some songs have more meaning now,” she said, “as things have happened in the past couple of years that still ring true. I wrote Here’s to You about losing my job and it being just the thing the universe intended for me to follow my passion and continue to be who I really am –a songwriter, singer and musician.

“…I had to put this baby to rest before I felt like I deserved to move forward. Now I’m totally rolling again.”

Shut Your Mouth, one of several standout tracks on this latest release, is a direct response to social media’s comment culture. The instrumentation is driven by a strong bass melody with guitars and drums carrying the rhythm forward with Reinhart proclaiming, I will do what I want to/Not all those things that I’m supposed to/When will I ever learn?

“Shut Your Mouth is about everyone having an opinion or advice about your life but not really being there for you,” said Reinhart. “Basically we need to live our lives for real and not pay as much attention to the people who try and drag us down especially though social media. So that’s only become more of a reality the past few years. Social media is amazing but can be such a double edge sword.”

If Adventures is any indication, Reinhart is back on top of her game and ready to give these “old friends” a proper introduction to New Brunswick audiences this summer and fall.

“I think things happen when they are supposed to happen,” she said. “Music has always been a part of my life and no matter what, it always will be. I constantly write but I had to put this baby to rest before I felt like I deserved to move forward. Now I’m totally rolling again.”

Upcoming Dates:

• July 26 – Market Square Boardwalk – Saint John, NB
• July 31 – Brewbakers – Fredericton, NB
• August 8 – Market Square Boardwalk – Saint John, NB
• August 12 – Hollywood Star Room – Clark’s Corner, NB
• August 16 – Hanwell Park Concert Series – Hanwell, NB
• August 18 – King’s Square – Saint John, NB

Jaclyn Reinhart | Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp