Guelph’s Soulful Sensation Dan McLean Jr To Release Debut Album Rhyme as Reason– “Kiss Me Once“ Available Now
Guelph, Ontario’s own soulful crooner Dan McLean Jr is preparing to unveil his highly anticipated debut album, Rhyme as Reason, slated for release on October 11, 2023. Preceding the album, McLean will treat fans to a taste of his soul-infused artistry with the release of the single “Kiss Me Once” available now.
For over four decades, Dan McLean Jr has captivated audiences with his expressive vocals and enchanting performances. However, Rhyme as Reason marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career, featuring his first-ever collection of original adult-contemporary compositions.
McLean’s journey to his debut album was not without its challenges, as he battled and triumphed over cancer, emerging with a newfound perspective on life and love. Rhyme as Reason draws inspiration from affairs of the heart, exploring themes of breakups, denial, and the power of starting over. The album’s lead single, “Kiss Me Once,” encapsulates the excitement and euphoria of a new relationship, a sentiment that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic sounds of the ’70s, including influences like Hall & Oates, Todd Rundgren, and Meat Loaf, Dan McLean Jr’s music is celebrated for its emotional depth and intensity. Collaborating with Dave Dunlop, who has an extensive history working with artists like Rik Emmett of Triumph, McLean co-wrote the music for this remarkable album. Paired with the upbeat yet tender music, Mclean’s ability to convey feelings of intimacy and vulnerability sets him apart.
Rhyme as Reason boasts a stellar lineup of talent, including Grammy and Juno-winning executive producer Greg Wells, who has worked with chart-toppers such as Lin Manuel Miranda, John Legend, and Ariana Grande. Neil Donell, the current lead tenor singer for Chicago, lends his exceptional vocal prowess to the album, while Don Breithaupt, a 10-time Smooth Jazz Awards nominee, adds his keyboard magic. On drums is Paul DeLong, known for his years as Kim Mitchell’s drummer. The culmination of such immense talent converges to breathe life into McLean’s songwriting and lyrical vulnerability.
Renowned for his talent in crafting songs from unique character perspectives, McLean’s songs on Rhyme as Reason take on a cinematic quality, allowing listeners to delve into the emotions and experiences of his characters. Songs like “I Don’t Believe in Love” challenge audiences to confront the complexities of human emotion, while tracks like the album’s closing number, “Everything Out In The Darkness,” deliver powerful moral messages.
Prepare to be swept away by the soulful melodies and profound storytelling of Dan McLean Jr’s debut album, Rhyme as Reason, as it unveils a musical journey like no other.
Care to introduce yourself?
I’ve been a musician for … wow … 45 years. I started out singing the hard rock that I loved from when I was a kid in the mid-70s. At some point, I started being drawn to great singers inside and outside of rock, and those singers still motivate me. Gino Vannelli, Daryl Hall, Mavis Staples, Paul Rogers, Sammy Hagar. There’s something transcendent about the sound of their voices and their emotional impact.
Fast-forwarding, I’d stopped singing for 15 years when suddenly I decided to start playing acoustic shows around Toronto. I just wanted to sing. I didn’t want to start another band or write songs. I just wanted to sing. After playing Soul covers in Toronto cafés and small clubs, mostly in Kensington & Parkdale, I decided to film a show to use as promotional material and booked a theatre. A day or two later, I called my old writing partner Dave Dunlop, and asked if we could try writing again. “Oh, by the way, Dave, I have a show in eight weeks and I need enough songs to fill the show”.
Over the next couple of years, we wrote a bunch of songs and I put together “Dan McLean Jr & Some Honey” with three really great backup singers. During lockdowns, we wrote a bunch more songs together online, and we drew on those two groups of songs for the album.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording “Kiss Me Once.”
When I fall in love – it has happened from time to time – I feel as giddy as the FIRST time I fell in love. I want to shout it from the proverbial rooftop. “I’m in love and I want all the world to see!”
I’m really happy with the escalation in the chorus from dancing to walking on air, to flying, to being in heaven. That’s a very gratifying visual for me.
Dave, who also produced and played guitar on the album, brought in the best players I could imagine. Paul DeLong on drums (Kim Mitchell, Lawrence Gowan, Rik Emmett, Lighthouse, The Canadian Tenors), Don Breithaupt on keys (Kim Mitchell, Rik Emmett, Sass Jordan, Monkey House, SOCAN & Emmy Awards), Steve Singley on bass and engineering (Rik Emmett, Honeymoon Suite, Alannah Myles). By the way, a couple of songs on the album include Executive Producer Greg Wells (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana Grande, Michael Bublé, John Legend, Adele, Taylor Swift), and three songs have Neil Donell (lead tenor singer for Chicago) on backing vocals. I’m flabbergasted & thrilled by the incredible people who’ve chosen to help.
I was SO happy that we were able to get schedules lined up so that Some Honey (Katey Morley, Stacie Tabb & Steve York) were able to do backing vocals on this one and two others. We’ve sung those songs together dozens of times, and singing with them feels like home. It’s felt that way since the first time we sang together.
Dave & I work together as equal decision-makers. The music world abounds with stories of power struggles between artists & producers where each tries to assert that THEY hold 51% of the decision-making power. Neither Dave nor I have the final say. Neither of us has the ability to override the other. If we disagree, we keep working until we DO agree. No one walks away with an “I told you so” in their pocket. In the end, both of us need to know we’ve arrived at the best possible place.
What’s it like being a musician in Guelph, ON?
Guelph’s a very music & art-friendly city, and the sense of community in the downtown music scene is unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere. Even in such a small city, it’s impossible to take in all the music. For as long as I know, Guelph’s had a vibrant acoustic music community, thanks in part to the Hillside Festival and Guelph’s emphasis on environmentalism. Having a large university for its size also means there’s a big appetite for Indie, dance, and rock. Whatever you want to play or see, Guelph’s a great place.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
Growing up there were lots of Canadian bands on the radio, but the first one that really blew me away when I was a young musician was Montréal’s Gino Vannelli. His music is so sophisticated and he’s a tremendous singer.
There are a bunch of Toronto artists I love right now, but Montréal’s Chromeo still knocks it out of the park for me. I’ve loved them ever since their mind-blowing appearance on Daryl Hall’s “Live From Daryl’s House”.
You’ve been making music for a while now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
I think the idea of “striving for greatness” is perfect but is often misused. The greatness so many people strive for is to be number one and to get rich. You can’t predict what’s gonna be “a hit”, so aiming for that is like playing darts with a blindfold on and with a target as small as the dart. Being motivated by that kind of goal doesn’t feel satisfying to me and it doesn’t inspire me to do my best. Yes, it inspires me to try to do what people want to hear, but it doesn’t inspire me to do what I want to hear. I aim to work hard at my music and to enjoy the work I do. Those things are in my control, and working that way leaves me feeling proud and fulfilled. No matter how many people hear the album, I feel proud and fulfilled.