ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: DYLAN WICKENS & THE GRAND NATURALS

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Hi Lo-Fi is available on Radio Submit, iTunes and dylanwickens.ca

True to the spirit of power trios of the sixties, Dylan Wickens & The Grand Naturals immediately grab the listener by the ears with their unapologetic take on the blues, by choosing to colour outside the lines with fuzzed up guitars and bass and melodic, hook-heavy vocal lines.  Raw, real, modern and traditional; it’s that paradox which defines the sound of these three world-class musicians that have come together to record the aptly titled, Hi Lo-Fi. Released on May 6, 2016, Hi Lo-Fi has been getting positive reviews from critics around the world and extensive airplay throughout Canada.  Here's what some of the reviewers are saying about Hi Lo-Fi “Canadian guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Wickens presides over a tough and tasty trio sound, his blues chops melding well with his songwriting smarts.  The overall vibe here smacks strongly of classic British blues and Mr. Wickens’ vocals frequently evoke a Cream-era Jack Bruce.  Axework is varied and solid throughout and the song list sports airplay-worthy tracks including “Rock Bottom”, “Foolish Heart” and “Fall Apart”. - The Roots Music Report    “…a varied collection which demonstrates well the tricky art of blues power trio playing, maintaining energy without relying on out-and-out volume. Wickens’s soulful vocal impresses across all eleven tracks, on occasions its anxious edge reminiscent of Paul Rodgers.” - Blues and More Again   “Hi Lo-Fi, the wonderfully bluesy sophomore release from Dylan Wickens and The Grand Naturals is a delightful listen...This is an album I could listen to all day long.  Hi Lo-Fi is a sure-fire winner.” - Phillycheeze's Rock and Blues Reviews Their debut recording Tattoo Black was released in 2010 to critical acclaim and extensive airplay on commercial and campus radio, CBC, Stingray and blues programs, quickly establishing themselves as one of the most original and exciting bands in the genre. Featuring Dylan Wickens on guitars and vocals, Al Webster (Jeff Healey, Colin James, Long John Baldry) on drums, and Dennis Pinhorn  (Downchild, Danny Brooks, The Last Waltz Tribute) on bass, this trio has created an album that is tremendous in sound and quality. Wickens’ guitar work transitions between visceral, stinging slide and soulful blues/rock with the combination of the two helping to define the band's sound as both raw and real but contemplative, while his vocals are gritty and fervent with a “Clapton like growl and urgency” (Blinded By Sound).  As a songwriter, Wickens composes well crafted and meaningful songs that often have a melodic twist at the end - a nod to the freestyle playing of 60s power trios. In addition to Wickens’ guitar prowess, bassist Dennis Pinhorn locks in the grooves with his thunderous, fuzzed out Fender bass while drummer Al Webster holds it all together with subtle yet powerful drumming, choosing his moments to shine with flurries of brilliance. The 9 tracks on Hi Lo-Fi feature compelling lyrics on topics such as desperation, revenge, love, and lust and each is ripe with substantial hooks and melodies as if there were songs within the songs.  “The making of Hi Lo-Fi came about very slowly until it was time to track it - at that point, I committed completely to a sound that has been rattling about in my head for years - one that is as the name says, both hi and lo-fi all at once”, says Wickens. This long awaited sophomore release from one of Canada's most imaginative trios follows in the tradition of heavy, 1960’s psychedelic blues/rock and influenced by Doyle Bramhall II, Jimi Hendrix, The Black Keys, and Gary Clark Jr. is best dialed up to 11. dylanwickens.ca  RIYL: Big Sugar, Doyle Bramhall II, The Black Keys, Cream Hi Lo-Fi Track List 1. Foolish Heart 3:41       2. Love & Lust 5:03 3. Run Sister 3:51          4. Calamity Jane 4:41 5. Fall Apart 3:43                  6. She’s Back In Town 3:54 7. Your Other Man 3:44 8. Rock Bottom 4:35 9. In My Time Of Dying (Live) 4:13 Upcoming performances July 9 - Lighthouse Blues Festival, Kincardine, ON July 17 - Waterloo Region Museum Concert Series, Kitchener, ON July 29/30 - Lavigne Tavern, Lavigne ON August 5 - Kitchener Blues Festival - The Berlin, Kitchener ON August 7 - Kitchener Blues Festival - MainStage, Kitchener, ON August 27 - Donnelly's Pub, Thorold, ON August 28 - Bay City Music Hall, Hamilton, ON September 17 - The Boathouse Victoria Park, Kitchener, ON Dylan Wickens is available for interviews and station IDs.  For more information, hi-res photos or promo copies of Hi Lo-Fi contact  Sarah French Publicity 416-566-4188 or sarah@sarahfrenchpublicity.com

Dylan Wickens & The Grand Naturals - Hi Lo-Fi - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Hi Lo-Fi from Dylan Wickens & the Grand Naturals and it's gritty, funky, explosive and real. Opening with Foolish Heart, a solid blues rocker, Dylan Wickens leads the way on vocal and slide guitar. With it's gritty sound and driving beat, these guys mean business. Al Webster on drums and Dennis Pinhorn on bass round out this tight threesome. Next up is Love & Lust, a real cool R&B style track, almost a take on Mustang Sally, with an infectious groove. This track is a real mover and bound to get you moving in your seat. I really dig Wickens' loose guitar flow and blues riffs paired against the ultra tight rhythm section. Very cool. Ultra funky blues number, Run Sister really has it going with it's bad ass bottom and featuring Tortoise Blue on harp. I gotta tell you this is one of those releases that keeps you tuned up by having one constant and that's driving rock. There's a new surprise around every corner to keep you looking. Lo slung blues number, Calamity Jane, has nicely stylized vocals paired with some of the best guitar riffs on the release. Tortoise Blue adds cool organ backing adding even more dimension to this understated blues rocker. Another funky blues number, Fall Apart, shows a whole different side of Wickens as a vocalist and his guitar riffs show influences from all corners. Very cool. She's Back In Town has a shimmery iridescence as Wickens delivers his vocal groove over a rock solid beat. This track conjures influences of George Clinton meets Jimi? Yeah...really. This is some cool stuff! Your Other Man has a solid thumping bass line and cool double stop guitar phrasing. I like Wickens' vocal delivery on this track and he seals it every time with clean guitar riffs. Handling the soloing as a part rather than as the feature gives each track firm balance. Opening with a grimy guitar riff, Rock Bottom is a solid rocker with a bluesy anchor. The grittiest guitar riffs on the release appear here and a cool return shows smart writing. Wrapping the release is a live version of In My Time Of Dying with a distinct feel of Cream and Spoonful. Wickens winds out his slide again and shows he's really up to the task of taking on the big boys. Excellent closer!

 

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