Dean is a multi-instrumentalist. Are there common traits amoung M-I’s? Are you, or do you want to be an M-I? Then please check out Secrets of the Multi-instrumentalist
Influences
I’m influenced by several generes: pop rock, roots/americana, art rock, jazz fusion, ambient, fingerstyle guitar... like The Barenaked Ladies, Jay Farrar, Radiohead, Daniel Lanois, Paul McCartney, Neil Finn, 70’s F.M. rock, Pat Metheny, Bill Bruford projects, Yes, Rush, even Abba and Madonna sometimes, also Tangerine Dream, Sigur Ros, Sufjan Stevens, Don Ross, U2, Uzeb, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Helen (Eddie’s sister), ..so on...
Early Neil Young, Crowded House, REM, Sigur Ros, Paul McCartney, Jayhawks, Barenaked Ladies.....
Seven of the ten songs on Wolfe’s "11:59" CD earned him ’track of the day’ awards and four ’track of the week’ awards.
His high school career counsellor didn't see it coming.
In the late 80's Wolfe hustled generously shoulder-padded fashions in malls, Whoppers and fries on the main strip, and hot shingles on London Ontario rooftops. He even hosed away frothing corn niblet scum in Green Giant's factory, before landing his dream job at age 17: guitarist, rock 'star', in a full time touring cover band (they snuck in plenty of their own tunes).
First he perfected electric 'walls of sound' rock guitar in Canadian Live Music clubs- covering U2, Fixx, Tears for Fears, A-Ha, Rush (Red Barchetta, anyone?)- while developing his own style and sound and evidently moving toward the finger-style guitar work of the likes of Bruce Cockburn and Mark Knopfler.
Three years of life on the road later, and not a little bit disillusioned, he found himself seduced... by the aromas and challenge of the saucy world of food- gastronomy, that is... winning awards and securing a Red Seal Journey person's Cook Certificate.
But Wolfe, chameleon that he is, would rarely neglect his musical talents. His multi-track recorders and guitars, and usually a part time band to practice and perform with, were always simmering on the back burners
His 'official debut' CD as a singer/songwriter was released in Toronto: "11:59" (Nov.2005). Wolfe "pays respectful tribute to...Canadian Icons Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn...elegant guitar playing...truly a one-man band..." [Jane Eamon, Winner 2007 Okanagan music awards folk artist].
Wolfe's songs on 11:59 ( a self-biographical reference to his own tendency to bloom late, and bloom big) are cello-infused (he played all the instruments) pop-folk-rock. Other 'sounds like' comparisons: Crowded House, Bright Eyes, Damien Rice, Ben Folds, Sir Paul McCartney.
A proud St. Catharines Ontario native (the same soil that brought us Neil Peart and Ron Sexsmith), Dean Wolfe (born Dean Salmela) lives in Toronto Canada with his family.
Note: Lyrics for Rasputin by collaborator Kurt Kramer (see Kurt, I'd never forget to give credit to you man!)
or.....
thru CD Baby:
or if you want all the Dean Wolfe MP3s ABSOLUTELY FREE
(which means you like my music but not enough to actually pay for it- and by all means, i won't hold it against you.) But if you are able to afford it, that would be a cool way of ensuring I can keep doing this-- and it impresses my wife, who would then be inclined to take me that much more seriously...
Hey there fellow Torontonian, thank you so much for the add, I'm really liking your many styles of music. Really love the music for a documentary and "Spark of Light" let me know if your playing anywhere soon, I'd love to show my support. Best of luck and keep in touch. Cheers, S
Dean: great, filmic, contemplative stuff in the Aegis tune but then again we've got some Neil Youngish feel in the Rasputin track. This is great, thanks for finding and friending me and it's nice to hear from another "play and do everything yourself" type. I know there's a bunch of us out there but it's cool that you started a group for the kind of people who gravitate to that! -T from ASB!
hiya Dean, thanks for the request! dig what you're doing here, man. "girlfriends" now that's a catchy tune! cool! hope to run into you in this fair city of ours...drop by and say hello sometime.
This is my quick ‘you’ve been added’ note. Come on by for a comment or a message and I’ll gladly say a proper hello! If I take a little while to write back, it’s only because I want to make sure I have the time to really check out your profile.
