Picture being 100 days deep in the thick of a zombie apocalypse. The ground is smouldering.

A raven fliesoverhead. He’s been watching the whole thing unfold–or, more appropriately, unravel. Across a bloodyhighway he sees dying drifters, drag queens indespair, and wild dogs lurking in the shadows. The lyrical imageryis anything but subtle, illustrating a dark sense of unease and misery.“100Days Deep”is set during a zombie war, but Jonez intended it as a metaphor for the early days ofcolonization on Turtle Island.Jonez’s story is brought to life vividly by the work of producer Derek Downham and engineer Tim Foy atToronto’s The Nelson Room studio, who created the perfect soundscape to complement Jonez’s words andmelody. The result is rich and cinematic, highlighted by a gritty drumbeat and an even grittier acoustic riff.

 

Graeme Jonez is a mixed-blood Ojibway (Anishinaabe) singer-songwriter living in Toronto. A storyteller at heart,Jonez has been honing his songwriting craft for more than two decades. His lyrics and acoustic guitar are thebackbone of his music, revealing influences from 20thcentury American folk & blues, but also the popmusicality of artists like The Beatles and Brian Wilson. His Indigenous heritage plays a significant role in hismusic, both in the themes and imagery laced in his songs.Jonez is an alumni of Manitoba Music's Indigenous Music Residency and was featured on the 2009 Indigenouscompilation albumDig Your Roots: Aboriginal. He is a member of the Sheguiandah Ojibway First Nation onManitoulin Island and has lived inTkarontofor more than 20 years.

Released on March 2,Creatures & Criminalsis the debut major full-length album from Ojibway singer-songwriter Graeme Jonez. Driven by his storytelling, acoustic guitar and an Indigenous perspective,Creatures &Criminalspaints dark pastiches through theeyes of a raven watching human existence unfold from above.Jonez worked with versatile producerDerek Downhamand a host of guest musicians at Toronto'sThe NelsonRoomto add lush layers of cinematic depth and finesse to his songs. The resulting album isrich andatmospheric, organic and poetic.Creatures & Criminalsis a perfect listen for fans of the singer-songwritergenre, roots rock, alt-folk, or anyone hungry for fresh new Indigenous music.Jonez is a member of the Sheguiandah Ojibway First Nationon Manitoulin Island and has lived inTkarontoformore than 20 years.Creatures & Criminals was created with the support of the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.