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Listen/Share "Rock Bottom" on Soundcloud
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Hi Lo-Fi is available on Radio
Submit, iTunes and dylanwickens.ca
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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
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