Listening to the reggae-tinged title track of Daniel Wesley's new album, fans new and old will hear a songwriter who has come into his own as a lyricist and creator of memorable melodies.
He's exploring more mature, evocative themes with sometimes ruthless honesty, wisdom, perseverance and gratitude.
The 31-year-old White Rock native, who comes to the Waverley Hotel on May 2, has always been known for his powerfully expressive voice, powerhouse live shows, and wonderfully varied musical creations.
With Ocean Wide, he has bared his soul, and crafted 10 unique, cathartic musical journeys, all wrapped up with a thematic and tonal cohesiveness that solidifies Wesley as one of the great songwriters on the Canadian landscape.
"I have always played rock music, but this album is a little different style of rock, and it's one that seems more natural to me. And I think a lot of that had to do with the way it was recorded," said Wesley.
After allowing outside producers into his process for his 2011 album Easy Livin', Wesley went back to producing the music himself, working mostly out of Vancouver's venerable Mushroom Studios. But he also worked on two songs with Gavin Brown, who recently produced the Tragically Hip's most recent, critically acclaimed album.
While rock may be the best way to describe the overall vibe of Ocean Wide, fans of Wesley know to expect something different with each new release. On this one, it's the raw energy of the music, but also the raw emotion of the lyrics that are indicative of the growth he has made with this record.
Music has always been a significant part of Wesley's life. From an early age, he was involved in school choirs, and jumped into the rock and roll circus by joining fledgling bands in high school. He played with some regionally-successful acts into his early 20s before going solo in 2006 — quitting his job as an electrician a year later to go out on the road as a full time, rock and roll troubadour.
Ocean Wide sees Wesley opening himself up as a writer and musician, fearlessly baring his soul in a compelling, powerful and very real way — which, when you break it down, is the real essence of great rock and roll.
Special guest Joshua Hyslop is a modern folk musician, an amalgam of influence in the classically romantic tradition of Damien Rice, Ryan Adams, Iron and Wine, and Sufjan Stevens. Like the said ballyhooed folksters before him, Joshua is inspired to write largely as a result of the people and relationships surrounding him, while also subjecting his songs to his own vulnerabilities, doubts and conflicts.
For more about Wesley, visit www.danielwesley.com and www.facebook.com/danielwesleyband.
Tickets for the May 2 Waverley gig are at Bop City, the Waverley, by phoning 250-336-8322 or online at www.cumberlandvillageworks.com.
— Cumberland Village Works