Justin Sawicki

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Justin Sawicki has been writing songs since the mid nineteen-nineties. As a youngster Sawicki was drawn in by the strong melodies of The Beatles and Brian Wilson. But it was Canadian acts such as The Tragically Hip, The Lowest of the Low, Blue Rodeo, and Neil Young that had inspired him to pick up a guitar and pen his first songs.
By 2001 Sawicki’s interest in music had brought him to Hamilton, Ontario where he studied music at Mohawk College under the guidance of local jazzers Mike Malone, Darcy Hepner, and Bob Shields. Upon completion he went on to earn a degree in music from McMaster University. It was during this time that Sawicki began to take in new influences like Rheostatics, Hawksley Workman, Ed Bickert, Miles Davis, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Willie Nelson, and Hank Williams .
Since the permanent relocation to Hamilton Sawicki has played hundreds of gigs, sharing the stage with such acts as Dave Bidini (Rheostatics), Selina Martin, Tomi Swick, Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, LeE HARVeY OsMAND), and Max Kerman (Arkells). In 2007 he recorded in Daniel Lanois’ legendary Grant Avenue Studio. In 2009 he won the Committee Award at the Hamilton Film and Music Festival, and in 2011 released his first full-length record. The recent offering, Nothing For No One, showcases Sawicki’s maturity and quirkiness while displaying a songwriter who is beginning to hone in on his own uniqueness and ability. Appearing on the record are a sleuth of great Hamilton talent including Dan Rodrigues, Jesse O’Brien, Andrew Barbisan, Darrel Lascelles, Eric Thachuk, Josh Harris, Ryan Barwin, and Lorretta Hale. The record has been described as being “eerily romantic and playful” and “a portrait of an artist who loves to explore." In late 2011 the record was nominated for Independent Album of the Year at the Hamilton Music Awards. Currently Sawicki has begun work on a new album set to be released in 2012.