MAGNET Exclusive: Premiere Of Byland + The Bones Of J.R. Jones’ “Jubilee”

Alie Renee Byland came away with more than great memories after a string of live dates with the Bones Of J.R Jones’ Jonathon Linaberry.  “When we crossed paths again amid our tour schedules, we got together in Los Angeles,” says the Seattle-based artist. “I brought in a song (husband and collaborator) Jake (Byland) and I had been working on for quite some time. We met at Cottage Sounds studio, ordered some Thai food and got to work.”

Their efforts led to the darkly beautiful, disarmingly tender “Jubilee,” a world-weary duet that harnesses Byland’s soulful theatricality and filters it effortlessly through Linaberry’s vintage Appalachian prism. The intuitive chemistry on display leaves you wanting more music from these two uniquely talented singer/songwriters from opposite coasts.

“Right away, I felt like the lyrics, ‘What would happen if you put down the weight of the world’ meant something different to each of us—he a seasoned musician who’s spent years on the road, and me in my formative and eager years,” says Byland. “We spent awhile together, going over the melody, fine-tuning the first verse and writing instrumental chords. It felt like we both realized this could be special.”

They broke from that initial session with the promise of a second verse from Linaberry. “He sent it back maybe a few weeks later,” says Byland. “When Jake and I listened, we both were in tears.”

Several months later, the two reconvened in New York City with Nathan Yaccino, who produced Byland’s excellent, largely overlooked 2024 release, Heavy For A While. As they recorded “Jubilee” with drummer Jeremy Kolker, guitarist Skyler Mehal and Yaccino on bass, videographer Anthony Sabino filmed away.

“I think you can feel the electric energy in the studio that day,” says Byland. “We were all so happy to get to play this song with each other.”

We’re proud to premiere Byland + The Bones Of J.R. Jones’ “Jubilee.”

—Hobart Rowland