Jon Middleton sat and watched the swells roll in on Wednesday, sipping coffee while waves crashed on the shore near Dallas Road.
At one point, the Victoria singer-guitarist laughed out loud at the paradox of the week ahead, which will see him celebrate the holiday season with a concert full of sunny-sounding, beach-friendly music, directly in the middle of a run of stormy weather.
Such is life in the group Jon and Roy, which almost never goes by the book.
For example, prior to the release of last year’s mini album By My Side, Middleton and his bandmates, percussionist Roy Vizer and bassist Louis Sadava, were almost invisible, which is never a good promotion plan in the lead-up to a new recording.
Middleton acknowledges that by not playing a ton of shows prior to the album’s release, they made the job of spreading the word that much harder.
“For about three years, we hadn’t dedicated much time to getting ‘out there’ more,” he said. “But it was good to be out on the road this summer.”
Middleton and Vizer have been at the helm of the group, which often operates as a duo, since 2002.
During the past decade or so, the longtime friends have carved out a niche in the B.C. landscape, but not without considerable effort.
Once the equivalent of a cult act, with pockets of fans around Victoria and Vancouver, the folk group is now a well-established entity, with a growing fan base across the country.
That also has taken some work. Jon and Roy spent the summer touring from B.C. to Ontario and back, with stops at some of the best-known festivals.
At this time of year, however, it’s the core Jon and Roy supporters who benefit, thanks to the Jon and Roy Holiday Special.
The annual event always sells out in advance, which means only the savviest local fans (in this case, ones in Duncan and Victoria) will get into the party. This year’s roster (which includes Vince Vaccaro, Carmanah, Old Man Canyon, and Luca Fogale) is expected to be strong. But part of the holiday special’s appeal comes from the ethereal surroundings of the Alix Goolden Performance Hall, which Middleton considers one of the best rooms on the Island.
“We never think about reinventing the show. The only thoughts we’ve had have been to move it to a different venue, maybe something like the Royal [Theatre]. But the Goolden has a nice feel for the show, so it’s hard to move it out of there.”
Jon and Roy joined CBC radio host and indie-rap favourite Buck 65 for a run of Eastern Canada dates in November, which has prompted another run for Jon and Roy through Ontario and Quebec in February.
Following that, the lifespan of By My Side may have finally come to an end, Middleton said.
Jon and Roy are hoping to record a new album in January, the majority of which is well on its way to being written.
Middleton is a prolific writer, but two records in two years is impressive even for him. A demanding year lies ahead, to be sure.
“There is a lot to work on because the songs aren’t really completed,” Middleton said. “But I always think that until I bring it to Roy. That’s when it definitely changes into something.”
What: Jon and Roy Holiday Special featuring Jon and Roy, Vince Vaccaro, Carmanah, Old Man Canyon, and Luca Fogale
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall
Tickets: Sold out
Note: The Jon and Roy Holiday Special will also be at the Cowichan Theatre on Friday. Tickets are $28 through 250-748-7529 or cowichantheatre.ca