The perfect accident

The singer-songwriter has been playing the guitar and piano, and writing songs, since the age of 12. However, he has had a dream of becoming a musician his entire life.

His dream finally came true this past week when he showcased his talent on a four-day tour with Emily Osment – Lily Truscott from the popular teen show Hannah Montana.

The duo’s last tour stop was on Jan. 11 in the nation’s capital Centrepointe Theatre. All of the theatre’s seats were full as the lights went down and Labelle stepped onto the stage.

He opened the night with “Don’t Leave Now” off of his debut EP Perfect Accident. He sang beautifully written and heartfelt songs about the pain of heartbreak and love that captured all who were first-time listeners. Too soon, the lights came up for a break and a rush of newly devoted fans ran to the merchandise table to buy his EP.

Only seconds after Osment’s last song, the crowd rushed out to form a meet and greet line that seemed to go on for ages – I myself being right in the middle. However, what truly made my night was the experience that happened hours after the concert had ended.

After everyone had left, me, my best friend and two other huge fans of Labelle’s started to sing one of his songs. Labelle came right up to us and with a huge smile said, “Okay, so how do you already know all the words to my songs?” He spent the next half hour talking and singing with us just like he was one of our friends. I have never met such a genuine and down to earth person as Jesse.

Later that night Labelle tweeted his fans, “Backstage after the Ottawa show, the whole band agrees, this one topped it! So much love to all who came out at every show… dream come true.”

So watch out world, because I have a feeling that this boy from Toronto is going to take over the world with his music, I can feel it.

--By Samantha Daviau, Lester B. Pearson