Following their successful tour of China last year, Canadian indie band Jets Overhead flies in this month for another musical jaunt around the country. The quintet, known for their atmospheric trance-rock, has already had a busy year so far with appearances at the Winter Olympics, Coachella Festival, and South by Southwest. TALK spoke with keyboardist/vocalist Antonia Freybe-Smith about free music, representing Canada at the Expo, and the story behind the group’s distinctive name.

Hello Antonia! So, this is your second trip to China. How was the previous tour? Any notable memories stick out?

We are thrilled and excited to be going back! We absolutely loved the audiences in China – their enthusiasm for the live music experience was inspiring and uplifting for us. We also loved the food!  

You've described your sound as ‘road trip music’. How would you explain what that means to somebody from China where the North American concept of road tripping is a rather foreign idea?

There's something special about listening to music while moving – whether it be in a car on a road trip, or listening to your iPod on the train or bus or even listening to your iPod while walking through the city. We like the idea of making music that can be someone's own soundtrack for their own journey.

You gave your first album away for free on your website and currently allow fans to stream your most recent one – that’s pretty generous of you! Why have you chosen this business model?

Thank you! There have been so many changes over the last 10 years in the ways people get music and changes to the music industry in general. We wanted to be a part of the change and creatively be a part of the dialogue – rather than turn a blind eye and try to stick to the old model.

You are playing three days at the World Expo. Does anyone outside of China know about the Expo? How do you feel being part of such an international event as a representative of all that is Canadian and good?

Yes, I would say that most people know that Shanghai is hosting this year’s Expo – it's very exciting and we are honoured to represent Canada! Vancouver, British Columbia, where I grew up, hosted Expo in 1986 and it was a very exciting time and lots of fun. I was only a small child but I will never forget it! 

You currently live in Victoria, British Columbia. Do you think the serene and quiet nature of your surroundings has had a great influence on your music?

Definitely. All of us in Jets Overhead love living on Vancouver Island and feel that the beautiful natural setting is part of us and part of our creative expression.

Jets Overhead is a rather curious name. I bet there is an interesting story behind it.

Adam, the lead singer, was travelling in Europe many years ago and while staying in London couldn't help but notice the huge amount of jets flying by over head all day long. It made him think about the strange wonder of air travel and the way people move all over the planet so quickly. He wrote down "jets overhead" in his journal and never forgot it.

What is your desert island disc? You can only pick one album, no cheating!

Dire Straights’ first album Dire Straights – I’ve been listening to it for 25 years and still haven't gotten sick of it!

Jets Overhead. 1 July: Expo Center Auditorium. 2 July: America Square Outdoor Stage @ Shanghai Expo. 3 July: RMB 40. 9pm. Yuyingtang, 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yan’an Lu.