Jason Collett, of Broken Social Scene, was a solo performer on the circuit when he was asked to join the band after it released "Your Forgot It In People" in 2003. Since then, he's managed to also issue two solo LPs, including the most recent, "Idols of Exile" -- out since June -- on Arts & Crafts. He also helped make the most recent, self-titled BSS record so estimable.
Collett's incisive songs and his intimate, powerful solo productions have led to comparisons to everyone from Paul Westerberg to Kris Kristofferson to fellow Canadian Ron Sexsmith.
He hits the road -- leaving BSS at home -- with Sam Roberts Band and plays at Shank Hall at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19. Tickets are $15 and worth every penny.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
