“Malleable pop” without too fine a point, is the pop music J.P. Hoe creates… Read Full Bio ↴“Malleable pop” without too fine a point, is the pop music J.P. Hoe creates. Open minded melodic patterns that can change from “indy rock” to “alt-country” at the drop of a hat, or, whenever there is a personnel shuffle in his band the Truly Richards. His EP The Here In Review was released in 2003 and was met with great success for a quiet independent artist. He was rewarded with accolades, hundreds of spins on commercial radio and thousands of plays on college stations in Canada and the US. Though they compare him to David Gray, Rufus Wainwright, and Martin Sexton, his voice, like theirs, gives him his identity and is the driving force behind audiences merrily humming away.

Enamoured with the open road Hoe has been tirelessly working North America for the past two years, enjoying showcase dates in Toronto (Canadian Music Week, North By Northeast), Cincinnati (Midpoint Music Fest) and most recently Vancouver (Western Canadian Music Awards). His unrequited loves; to find new fans and to try new food will keep him moving from city to city without any break for years. In the immediate future, he’ll be recording a live concert this February in his hometown of Winnipeg. He has also begun recording the next studio project with producer/artist David Lowery (Cracker, Camper Van Beethovan, Counting Crows, Sparklehorse), at the Sound of Music Studios in Richmond Virginia, with an anticipated release date in late winter.

His career in the entertainment business began as a child actor touring Canada with Les Miserables, and followed that up with more local theatrical productions and part-time endeavours. In his teens, Hoe relied on his family’s love of music from the 60’s and 70’s, to encourage harnessing his energy into songwriting. Armed with an old dusty Yamaha Eterna guitar and inspired by Neil Young’s Harvest, Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, and Joni Mitchell’s Clouds album, Hoe began his solo journey.

He took his music to Europe where he broadened his musical foundation and developed a greater appreciation for the power of a melody. He DJ’ed at a local French radio station, played for crowds of 300 strong, and the next day would find himself busking away and feeling right at home on the banks of Lake Zurich. When he realised he could communicate with his music, he set off back home (Winnipeg, Canada) and formed two bands: Sly Tawdry Affections, and Three Piece Suit. Neither incarnation lasted, but both offered Hoe lessons in helping him identify where his sound should go which brings us to today.

“There's something soothing and relaxing about J.P. Hoe's stage presence. It's like an old sweater that is just so damn comfortable you can't get rid of it. His blend of melodies and lyrics make for solid and intelligent pop music. Check him out and figure it out for yourself, it's definitely worth it.”

RISE
J.P. Hoe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Jesse to the Invisible Circus]

Welcome to my world
To my kingdom of make believe
I'm your new Messiah
You'll worship at my feet

Welcome Kingdom Come

To disciples that I preach
Will ya, bow down before me and
Will you remember me?

[Invisible Circus] Dying for you
[Jesse] Will I lie to thousands
[Invisible Circus] Our God is you
[Jesse] Am I deceit?
[Invisible Circus] Falling for you
[Jesse] I am the God man
[Invisible Circus] Our God is you
[Jesse] You're all at my feet

[Jesse to the Invisible Circus]

Take me
Change me
Love me
A crown of thorns on my heart

Change me
Save me

Will you love me?
Forever nailed to your cross

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of J.P. Hoe's song "Rise" are quite intense and depict a narcissistic perspective of the world. In "Jesse to the Invisible Circus," the singer welcomes the Invisible Circus to his "world" and "kingdom of make-believe," where he puts himself as the new Messiah who demands followers to worship at his feet. He questions whether his disciples will bow down before him and remember him, ultimately highlighting his need for power and control. The recurring phrase "Our God is you" echoes his demand for admiration and infallibility. Additionally, he puts on a show of false humility, asking if he would deceive or if people would fall for him while declaring himself a "God man." The second verse highlights his self-destructive tendencies, where he seeks to be changed, loved, and saved, but wants to wear a crown of thorns on his heart and be forever nailed to the cross, alluding to the idea of martyrdom or suffering for his followers.

Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a megalomaniac who craves attention, admiration and validation, while also struggling with his own self-worth and self-destructive tendencies.

Line by Line Meaning

Welcome to my world
I want to introduce you to my imagination and make-believe world

To my kingdom of make believe
My mind is my kingdom, my thoughts are my subjects and it's all pretend

I'm your new Messiah
I will be your savior and you will follow me

You'll worship at my feet
You will pay homage to me and glorify me

Welcome Kingdom Come
Welcome to the glorious new era I have created

To disciples that I preach
Those who will listen to my doctrine and become my followers

Will ya, bow down before me and
Will you show deference and respect to me

Will you remember me?
Will you never forget me?

Dying for you
We are willing to sacrifice everything for you

Will I lie to thousands
Am I willing to deceive and manipulate my followers for my own benefit?

Our God is you
You are the one we elevate and worship as the supreme being