Hobotron by Shuyler Jansen

In late 1994, under the influence of Neil Young and Crazy Horse and Bob Dylan and the Band, Shuyler formed Old Reliable and began building a fan base that has spread far and wide. Old Reliable's last release Pulse of Light Dark Landscape was written entirely by Shuyler Jansen and featured the renowned photography of Elliott Landy (Nashville Skyline/Bob Dylan, The Band/Self-Titled, Moondance/Van Morrison, Woodstock).

In 2003 Shuyler Jansen borrowed an ancient tape machine and began building the soundscapes that would eventually become The Hobotron, after years of collecting primitive synthesizers and effects units Shuyler conceived of a recording that mingled country/folk songs with an ambient/electronic backdrop. With the help of Scott Franchuk (Jen Kraatz, The Swiftys, Corb Lund Band), Shuyler began adding live musicians onto the pre-existing soundtrack and eventually recorded an entire album backwards. The Hobotron features Nettwerk recording artist Oh Susanna on background vocals and an unconventional backdrop of baritone/electric guitars, laptop, synthesizers, percussion and harmonica. The Hobotron has been mastered by Paul Oldham (Bonny Prince Billy, Will Oldham, Anomoanon).

Shuyler Jansen has recently scored the soundtrack for Hank Williams First Nation, a story about a Native Canadian-Indian that travels by Greyhound to Hank Williams gravesite. Shuyler will also be a part of a traveling tribute to Canadian song writing legend Ian Tyson that will tour to Alberta Scene in Ottawa 2005, look for solo tour dates in November and December 2004.

Shuyler has opened or shared the stage with:

Alejandro Escovedo

Gord Downie

Ramblin'Jack Elliot

Oh Susanna

Carolyn Mark

Katy Moffat

Giant Sand/Howe Gelb

Calexico

Richard Buckner

The Sadies

Guy Clark

Corb Lund Band

Deadbolt

Dinner is ruined

Sloan

Green Day

The Smalls

Patty Griffin

Terry Allen

Zubot and Dawson

Kathleen Edwards

Ian Tyson

Tegan and Sara

Colin Linden

Bo Ramsey

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

The Flatlanders

Ralph Stanley

Wilson Pickett

Shuyler has played these festivals, venues:

Edmonton Folk Festival

Calgary Folk Festival

Dawson City Folk Festival

North Country Fair

Dauphin Country Fest

Big Valley Jamboree

Stage 13

NXNE 2004

NMW 2002

Jack Singer Concert Hall

The Arden Theatre

Festival Place

The Winspear Centre

Calgary Roots and Blues

Ottawa Blues fest

Edmonton's Family Fest

Yellowknife's Folk on the Rocks

JUNO Fest 2004

Shuyler has been a part of these recordings:

Old Reliable/Pulse of Light Dark Landscape

The Gradual Moment/Gone are the Days

The Swiftys/Self Titled

Dustin Cole/Dig to China

Jen Kraatz/Trudge/Ashes

John Henry/Charmin'Billy

Les Tabernacles/Born Ready

The Kasuals/Hate Me

The Naked and the Dead/Chewin'the Stem

Fully Clothed and Alive

Andrea House/Hearts Hotel

The Corb Lund Band/Unforgiving Mistress

"In a show that featured a rotating door of musicians -- including U.S. folk legend Ramblin' Jack Elliott, former Tyson band members like Cindy Church, and a bevy of local roots heroes -- the show hit a high note early with Edmonton's Shuyler Jansen. Jansen seemed to summon up the spirit of Waylon Jennings for a rollicking but tasteful version of Tyson's Alberta Child.

September 6th 2002

Calgary Herald

"The brilliance of Willie Nelson's singing technique, and the future of country music"

"Shuyler's songs and vocal style tell you all you need to know about his passion for real country"

"Willie, Waylon, and Johnny Cash ghost through the entire album. Lead singer, Shuyler Jansen, is a die-hard for their style and emulates it brilliantly"

Michael Hogan For Encore!

2001 Daily Herald-Tribune

"Telling tales of sinners, saints, damnation and redemption, the music's got that western wind blowing through it"

Mike Ross Edmonton Sun

Friday, April 26, 2002

"Equal parts Crazy Horse and Gram Parsons"

James Hayden FFWD Magazine

"Then came one of my favourite parts of the evening. Shuyler Jansen (Old Reliable) played "a couple of songs about the rain". His version of "Rhythm of the Rain" (Pull the Goalie, Folk You) - a tune actually written by Mike's late brother Pat - sent chills down my spine with it's dark overtones and scorching guitar work from Shuyler himself"

Dave Shephard Moat Magazine

"Take the best of Crazy Horse and mix it with the ingredients of the most underestimated Alt Country band ever, Wild Turkey, and you have The Pulse Of Light Dark Landscape. One of the best honest independent Country-Rock albums of 2003."

Real Roots Café Belgium www.realrootscafe.com

"Old Reliable infuses its rock and country with the sounds of fellow Canadians the Band and Neil Young. Shuyler Jansen's vocals and lyrics are somber, sometimes arid, but work away at you"

January 22 2004 www.f5wichita.com

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