We caught up with Saskatchewan-based artist, Graham Dyck for our newest segment of Five Questions With. Take a few moments to check out his track, “Walkin’ in the Rain” below and learn more about the singer-songwriter.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
A kid from a small town in Central Canada. I didn’t really know there was a world outside of there. Now I am really loving singing and playing for people and finding my place in this world. I truly find myself when I am singing for people and songs that may be new for them and also songs we all know and love.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
I write mostly what hits my heart. I have been so influenced by so many artists and places I’ve lived. If you grow up in a small country town there is a musical flavour there, bigger city Canada and there are cultural things there that add to that recipe, and experiences in little town America like when I lived in the Southern States the bluegrass and mama’s sweet iced tea really create a new awakening.
I have loved every minute of the experience and I think my writing and diversity are due to so many cultural experiences.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
I have many gigs coming up including venue and festival dates this Summer. Perhaps the show I am most looking forward to is my performance during Junofest, especially since it’s right in my own backyard (Saskatoon).
Talking about my own live performance is hard for me but I have been told that I provide the audience with an emotional and sincere presentation and that they feel a connection to me through my music.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
I would suggest “Walkin in the Rain”. It is a fun number and gives a nod to different lessons or conversations I’ve had.
I love playing it because I always see people dancing to it also it’s easy to catch on to. Near the end, people are singing along and I gotta say there’s no better feeling than creating something like that. I truly appreciate those people who make me feel at home in places that are new to me. They really give me everything they have by singing along and dancing and I want to give them everything from my heart that I can.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
I cannot even choose, I mean there are so many amazing artists. I have been listening to artists like Lindsay ‘Eekwol’ Knightas, JJ White, Ben Parker, rock band Cold Driven, I mean the list is soooo long. I have to tip my hat to Canadian bands like The Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, and of course the Sheepdogs (shout out to Sam, Ewan, and Shamus). Of course what I most have to thank are Canadian Crooners Dan Julian and Drew Tofin, Matt Dusk and of course Michael Buble. All these people, influences and/or friends, have given me so much and I’ve been motivated by so many of them and more. Again I cant list as many as I would like. One last person I will always mention was my mentor and best friend; the late and great pianist Maurice Drouin. He was the one who helped me forward for the last 6 years developing my ‘voice’ in music and recorded two Jazz albums with him. He showed me how to sing the Standards and love the music of the American songbook even more than I did.
Connect with Graham Dyck:
Reverbnation
Facebook