The restless rhythms of ‘Already There’ by JJ Shiplett are genuinely compelling. Shiplett’s warm, lived-in voice is perfect for a song that takes us through life’s journey and he delivers his heartwarming words with soul: “I swear to God, as a kid, I would dream that I could see the future // But these days it seems I gotta work a little harder to dream…You never really know where you’re gonna go // Till you’re already there.”
In the video, directed by Vishal Marapon in Pitt-Addington Park in British Columbia, the quality of light and muted colour is gorgeous. Shiplett says of the video: “Vishal was able to make me look really cool while singing in pretend slow motion, wearing a white t-shirt, and playing the guitar in the back of a pickup truck. Hah! I had a blast filming it and am so happy to share a video that feels like the perfect companion to my new single.” The stunning landscapes make for a perfect backdrop for Shiplett’s performance.
After touring last summer with Michael Bernard Fitzgerald on his ‘Farm Tour 2’, and an appearance at Americanafest, Shiplett is currently working with producer Jay Stewart on his 4th studio album. The record will feature this single, ‘Already There’, and promises to be a finely crafted set of songs, building on his CCMA-nominated second album ‘Fingers Crossed’ and its stripped back mirror version, ‘Crossed Fingers’. Enjoy.
