Call & Response: Jason Collett

In the holiday spirit yet? There's loads of holiday cheer going on right now in all the rock clubs.

Toronto singer/songwriter Jason Collett has been doing his part with a three-week residency at the Dakota Tavern. He's called it the "Basement Revue" and it's been the talk of the town for the past two weeks.

The final installment takes place next Tuesday. The shows have been over-capacity and if you were lucky enough to score tickets, you are definitely in for a treat.

Expect to hear all of Jason's hits - performed wonderfully with his amazing backing band Paso Mino, as well as new material from his forthcoming record Here's To Being Here (out February 5, 2008 on Arts &Crafts).

I chatted with Jason about his recent shows, whispering ghosts and pimping.

Keep reading for the complete interview.

blogTO: How are the Dakota Tavern shows going? For those of us who couldn't get tickets - what have we missed?

Jason Collett: They're wonderfully shambolic and intimate little evenings of music, poetry, cooking and general goofery. Kind of a indie rock dinner theatre-variety show.

How have you found the mid-week crowd?

Very well behaved.

Any special surprises planned for the final show?

Yes.

Why is your next record called Here's To Being Here?

The ghost of Paul Haines (Emily Haines' poet-father) whispered it in my ear. It's from his collected works Carnival Workers.

You recorded it with your backing band Paso Mino. Thanks to you they also started backing Amy Millan and Feist. Have you become their band pimp?

They're very good at pimping themselves.

What do you like best about living in Toronto?

Long weekends when everyone leaves town and the city gets sweet and sleepy.

What is your preferred method of transportation in the city?

Bike.

What do you think about the current state of the TTC?

Needs proper federal funding.

Does this winter weather get you more into the Holiday spirit, or does it make you wish you were on tour somewhere down South?

You always want what you don't got. The grass is always greener and the snow is always whiter.

What is your pick for best local record of 2007?

Magnet by Kate Fenner.