Canadian Music ~ Jets Overhead

 

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Jets Overhead are a Canadian alternative rock band formed in 2003 by singer Adam Kittredge, guitarist Piers Henwood (cousin of Kittredge), bassist Jocelyn Greenwood (high school friend of Kittredge), and the band's first drummer, Brendan Pye, and based in Victoria, British Columbia. Soon after, vocalist Antonia Freybe-Smith joined, and Pye was replaced by Luke Renshaw.

Kittredge came up with the name Jets Overhead while observing air traffic patterns in London, England.

As of 2025, they have released three studio albums, three EPs, and three compilation albums.

The band's first release was 2003's self-titled EP, which reached No. 42 on the CMJ music charts.

In 2006, Jets Overhead made their first full-length album, Bridges, available for free download on their website under a voluntary purchase ("pay what you want") model, over a year before British rock group Radiohead eventually popularized the model with In Rainbows. Jets Overhead were eventually recognized as one of the first bands who attempted to address the challenges presented by digital music distribution and online trading, with the band's website stating at the time that "new systems for distributing music should be driven by the public rather than by existing paradigms which no longer apply to the digital world." Bridges was produced by Neil Osborne, lead singer of the Canadian rock group 54-40, and mixed by Warne Livesey. The album explores themes of island living and the west coast of Canada. It eventually led to the band's first Juno nomination, in 2007.

Jets Overhead did not repeat their voluntary purchase model for the 2009 release of No Nations; however, elements of the album were made available on the band's website under a Creative Commons licence. The album was again produced by Neil Osborne, and mixing was done by Grammy winner Malcolm Burn. It was primarily recorded at a remote location on Hornby Island. The first single, "Heading for Nowhere", charted on Canadian rock radio and saw regular play on KCRW in Los Angeles. During the No Nations touring cycle, Jets Overhead made their first appearance at such prominent US festivals as Coachella and Bonnaroo. Prior to the album's release, vocalists Adam Kittredge and Antonia Freybe-Smith were married.

Jets Overhead released their third studio album, Boredom and Joy, in 2012. It was produced by Emery Dobyns, who also contributed additional keyboards and percussion. The string arrangements on some tracks were done by Dobyns and Fran Healy. The album was recorded in various locations, including the band's home studio in Victoria, British Columbia. Its themes revolve around the duality of life's mundane and joyful moments, which is reflected in the title track. The band has stated that they aimed to capture a more organic and live sound compared to their previous work.

Jets Overhead were nominated for New Group of the Year at the 2007 Juno Awards. No Nations won Monday Magazine's Favorite Album of 2009. The music video for "Heading for Nowhere" was nominated for Music Video of the Year at the 2010 Leo Awards, and the video for "Sun Sun Sun" was voted as a top 20 video at the 2004 Indie Music Video Awards.