Written in Partnership with S99
From spinning records to voicing commercials, Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. After spending 15 years as one-half of the Canadian Alternative Rock duo USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker), Parsons decided to pursue a new passion: voice acting. And while the world of arts and entertainment has seen many performers attempt to reinvent themselves, the multi-talented Canadian DJ, producer, rapper, and voice actor is one of the few who has actually succeeded.
During his time with USS, Parsons and his bandmate traveled to 11 different countries, headlining sold-out venues and festivals across Canada, the US, Germany, Austria, and Japan. He also developed a unique solo radio show called the Mill Street Mixtape, sponsored by a nationally distributed beer in Canada. This DJ mix show aired in Edmonton, Alberta; Laguna Beach, California; Toronto; and Kingston, Ontario. As a performer, Parsons created the “Headstand Scratch,” where he performed upside-down on his head while reaching up to scratch on his turntables.
Throughout his career, Parsons has achieved several milestones. USS received multiple top ten hit singles, awards from terrestrial radio, and college and university campuses’ Hall of Fame recognition. Additionally, the duo earned three gold and two platinum singles. As a producer and beat maker, Parsons received two gold records for his work with multi-platinum Universal Music artist Lights on her album Siberia and the follow-up single “Up We Go.” He has also headlined France’s Rock’N’Rhum Festival twice and opened for renowned bands like Our Lady Peace, Bush, Live, The Tea Party, Moist, Bone Thugs N’ Harmony, and Superorganism.
However, his journey in arts and entertainment was not without challenges. Parsons faced the daunting task of moving from small-town Canada to the bustling metropolis of Toronto, paying big-city prices while chasing his band’s dreams. Despite their best efforts, USS’s music initially fell on deaf ears. Undeterred, Parsons and his bandmate recorded their first album independently and distributed it to everyone they knew in the industry. Their persistence paid off when a Toronto DJ took notice and helped them gain recognition on Canada’s top rock radio station.
While initially Parsons’ voice acting took a back seat to his full-time gig as a traveling artist, he’s since stepped away from music. The results of his voice acting have been impressive, encouraging him to pursue this latest iteration of his career. As a voice-over artist, Parsons has recorded eight months’ worth of The Home Depot’s Product Walk demos for the US and their global corporate branch, in addition to voicing multiple campaigns for Canadian brands like Dempster’s, Marks, and IKO Industries.
In the coming years, Parsons envisions himself touring the world with his new rock band, focusing primarily on the United States. Achieving success in the US is a significant milestone for foreign artists, akin to winning a gold medal in the Olympics. Additionally, he dreams of voicing campaigns for consumer brands on television, radio, and the web across the English-speaking world, with a specific goal of becoming a movie trailer voice artist.
Through his incredible journey, Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons has proven that with perseverance, determination, and a passion for self-expression, you can both reinvent yourself and achieve remarkable success in the ever-evolving world of arts and entertainment.
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