Jonas Tomalty
| Jonas Tomalty | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jonas Richard Tomalty |
| Also known as | Jonas |
| Born |
August 8, 1979 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | Rock, hard rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Associated acts | Rubberman, Jonas, Jonas & The Massive Attraction |
Jonas Richard Tomalty (born August 8, 1979 in Montreal), also known as Jonas, is a Juno Award-nominated Canadian rock singer. After releasing two successful studio albums and one compilation under the name Jonas, he is currently performing with his band Jonas & The Massive Attraction, whose first album, Big Slice, was released in 2010.
Career
Early years
In order to follow in his blues harmonica playing father's footsteps, the adolescent Jonas joined a choir, allowing him to travel around and hone his skills. Later, he started a rock band called Rubberman with whom he won the first prize in 1999 at CHOM-FM's annual contest "L'Esprit talent" as well as MusiquePlus's "DémoClip" contest. While pursuing his rock career, he formed a blues group called Jonas and the Blues Blooded in 1998.
As Jonas
His first success "Edge of Seventeen" (a cover of the old success of Stevie Nicks) appeared on his gold selling first EP Jonas in 2004. It was soon followed by another hit "Show Me", that permitted him to reach the top of the Québec charts and tour North America with rock legends Van Halen. The success of Jonas earned him two nominations at the Juno Awards of 2006 in the "New Artist of the Year" and "Rock Album of the Year" categories.[1]
Soon after, his DVD Jonas Live ...As We Roll!, a live recording of their sold out show at Montreal's renowned music hall Métropolis on June 2, 2005, was released and went platinum in a week. His second album Suite Life was put out in October 2006 and featured the new rock anthem "SuperSexMe", which was the first single from it; "Bows and Arrows" was the second great success of that album.
In 2007 Jonas released his third album Promised Land. This album contained the best from his first two albums and was marketed for international release. The album was released but never got out of Canada due to a major battle with their record label that, shortly after, ended their four-year relationship. The release was followed by a successful, cross Canadian tour with Collective Soul and the band followed it with another live DVD of their memorable Montreal Bell Centre performance called simply Live at the Bell Centre.
With Jonas & The Massive Attraction
| Jonas & The Massive Attraction | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | Rock, Hard rock |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Big Slice Records |
| Associated acts | Jonas |
| Website |
jonasandthemassiveattraction |
| Members |
Jonas Tomalty Corey Diabo Julien Martre Francis Fugere |
| Past members |
Domenic Romanelli Martin Lavallée |
In 2010 Jonas made some major career changes. He hired a new manager, Todd Littlefield, and bought over his own contracts. He then started Big Slice Records with his management and went on to release his most successful single yet, "Big Slice", on an album of the same name. Never leaving long time guitar player, Corey Diabo, Jonas renamed the band Jonas & The Massive Attraction. He did so to pay tribute to his band mates, as for him this was never a solo project. Jonas continues to rock the radio waves with Big Slice and is enjoying a very busy, international touring schedule.
Discography
As Jonas
- 2004: Jonas
- 2006: Suite Life
- 2007: Promised Land (compilation album of Jonas and Suite Life)
As Jonas & The Massive Attraction
- 2010: Big Slice
- 2011: Big Slice Unplugged EP (EP)
- 2011: Big Slice: Deluxe Edition (re-release of Big Slice which includes the EP)
- 2012: Unplugged
- 2013: Live Out Loud
- 2014: X ( Tenth anniversary album including 7 new songs and 3 remixed ones )
Videography
- 2005: Jonas Live ...As We Roll! (DVD)
- 2009: Live at the Bell Centre (DVD)
- 2012: Big Slice Tour 2012 / Live in Germany at Rockpalast