Press release –
Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Jory Nash shares two deeply personal singles, “Sign Me Up” and “Doxorubicin“, songs that trace the raw emotional landscape of love, loss, survival, and resilience in the face of cancer. Both songs will appear on Nash’s forthcoming 10th studio album, The Light Still Shines On The Main, set for independent release on October 24, 2025.
These new singles follow the album’s lead track, “Oh, Little One,” a heartfelt paean to the healing powers of fresh starts and the strength of family. Nash will share the songs live this fall with a run of intimate house concerts across Ontario, a showcase at the 2025 Folk Music Ontario/Canada Conference in Ottawa, and a full band album release concert at Hugh’s Room in Toronto on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Written in the wake of his partner Brittany’s cancer recovery and the passing of his sister Kimberley from multiple cancers in June 2024, “Sign Me Up” remembers both women. “I wanted to honour both my partner and my sister, the one who survived and the one who did not; this is what I came up with,” shares Nash. “At times, it juxtaposes my love for both of them, but the bridge section is all my sister’s. I finished the lyrics two days before she died.”
With nods to Kimberley’s favourite film, The Outsiders, the track balances lyrical heaviness with a bright, 70s folk-rock southern California vibe, recorded live off the floor with a full band.
What’s The Story about the “Doxorubicin” single?
Inspired by his partner Brittany’s experience with the chemotherapy drug known as “the red devil,” “Doxorubicin” captures the relentless cycle of pain, recovery, and perseverance through her voice, as imagined by Nash. Sparse and dirge-like, with no harmony vocals by design, the piano song reflects both fragility and endurance in the face of overwhelming hardship. “After her red devil treatments, she would tell me that she felt like she was dying, that she hurt EVERYWHERE,” shares Nash. “It would be days of all-consuming pain, then days more of slow recovery, then usually a few days where she felt close to ok and then right back to the clinic for another treatment, and the cycle would repeat.
Written by Nash and co-produced alongside Chris Stringer, the two new singles feature a roster of talented musicians who bring each song to life. On “Sign Me Up,” Nash delivers acoustic guitar and lead vocals, accompanied by Jason Fowler on acoustic guitar, Maury Lafoy on bass, Robbie Grunwald on keys and piano, Mark Mariash on drums, Chris Stringer on electric guitar, and Caroline Marie Brooks on harmony vocals. “Doxorubicin” highlights Nash’s lead vocals with Grunwald on piano and Kevin Fox on cello. Both tracks were mixed by Stringer and mastered by João Carvalho.
The road to The Light Still Shines On The Main has been anything but easy. In 2019, Nash experienced a breakdown that led him to quit music, facing depression and financial struggles. The onset of the pandemic brought further challenges. In early 2021, his partner Brittany was diagnosed with multiple cancers, beginning an intensive journey through chemotherapy and surgeries. That summer, a fire damaged their Toronto rental, prompting a move to Cobourg, ON, where Brittany could focus on recovery and their young son could start kindergarten.
“This album is about coming through the darkness,” says Nash. “It’s about hope, resilience, and finding beauty in new beginnings.”
What’s The Story About Jory Nash?
Jory Nash (Jor-ee Nash) is an award-winning singer-songwriter and storyteller who blends folk, jazz, blues, pop, and soul into a distinctive and original stew of sound. Over his career, he has released nine critically acclaimed albums, including The Many Hats of Jory Nash, which was nominated for two 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards. His 2009 album, New Blue Day, was named Penguin Eggs Magazine Critic’s Choice Album of the Year and earned a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Best Producer. He is also a past winner of the OCFF Songs From The Heart Award.
After stepping away from music in 2019, Nash is making his return in 2025 with his 10th album, The Light Still Shines On The Main, co-produced with longtime friend Chris Stringer (The Wooden Sky, Elliott Brood, Timber Timbre, Megan Bonnell, Holly McNarland). The road to this record has been anything but easy. In 2019, Nash experienced a breakdown that led him to quit music, facing depression and financial struggles. The pandemic compounded these struggles, and in early 2021, his partner, Brittany, was diagnosed with multiple cancers, beginning an intensive journey through chemotherapy and surgeries. That summer, a fire damaged their Toronto rental, prompting a move to Cobourg, ON, where Brittany could focus on recovery and their young son could start kindergarten. “This album is about coming through the darkness,” says Nash. “It’s about hope, resilience, loss, and finding beauty in new beginnings.”
Nash has served as Artistic Director of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival and co-founded The Way We Feel, a beloved, long-running annual concert that celebrated the music of Gordon Lightfoot for over 20 years. He has held board positions with multiple folk music organizations, including Vice-President of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (now Folk Music Ontario) and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA).
A multi-instrumentalist on acoustic guitar, piano and banjo, Nash’s warm, unique voice draws listeners into his thoughtful lyrics and intricate melodies. His music is regularly heard on CBC Radio, SiriusXM, BBC, Stingray Digital, and on college and NPR stations across North America. He has toured extensively in Canada and the U.S., performing at folk festivals, house concerts, folk clubs and theatres, with appearances at Summerfolk, Mariposa, Home County, Stewart Park, Eaglewood, Shelter Valley, Hillside, Blue Skies, Live From The Rock, Winterfolk, and more.
His songs have appeared in the feature film Moon Point and the documentary 30 Ghosts, and have been covered by Juno-nominated jazz singer Lori Cullen. Offstage, Nash has a hat collection numbering in the hundreds and remains a long-suffering fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
CATCH JORY NASH LIVE
Oct 16 – 18 – Ottawa, ON – Folk Music Ontario Conference
Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Toronto, ON – Hugh’s Room Live (Album Release Show)
Friday, November 21, 2025 – London, ON – House Concert
Saturday, November 22, 2025 – Fonthill, ON – House Concert
Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – House Concert
Friday, January 16, 2026 – Lindsay, ON – Flato Academy Theatre
Visit: https://jorynash.com.
