Any attempt to pin down the style of Michigan’s singer/songwriter and
guitar virtuoso, Dan Vaillancourt, is like trying to count grains of sand
on the shore—it’s just not possible! With his custom 10-string
guitar for accompaniment, Dan weaves stories of life, love, and travel with
quirky aplomb creating a unique kind of music called Funktified Folk. In
fact, Funktified Folk is about the only label you can hang on this talented
young musician who draws his inspiration from observations of the world
around him. With a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and World
Religion, it’s no surprise that his songs are as rich as the human
landscape that influences him.
Drawing on various influences, both musical and otherwise, Dan brings
an unparalleled energy to his live performances. This Funktified Folkman,
not afraid to improvise or change the arrangement of a song if the mood
strikes, combines folk and rootsy blues with a dash of hip-hop beatboxing
generously laced with some serious jazz chops for a live experience that
no one should miss. “I try to incorporate as many elements as I can
to set my music apart,” says Dan. A mission he accomplishes with
soulful dexterity.
Melodic Snapshots, Vaillancourt’s latest self-produced studio album,
is a montage of songs about dreams and aspirations that’s often as
haunting as it is eclectic. Melodic Snapshots captures the fresh and funky
energy of his live shows, yet this time with a back-up band to round out
his musical vignettes. A multi-instrumentalist, Dan plays bass, mandolin,
banjo, and lap steel as well as his trusty custom 10-string guitar on
his new release. He has been compared to a diverse and iconic group of
musicians: Paul Simon, Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, and Bob Dylan to name
but a few. One listen to Melodic Snapshots and it’s clear that Dan
is well on his way to taking his place next to these musical greats.
A prolific songwriter, Dan wrote his first song at age fourteen and by
the time he finished high school he had penned more than 200 songs. Today,
he has over 300 songs to his credit. Like a modern-day troubadour, Dan
harvests his life experiences—experiences that yield fertile material
for the intelligent, and sometimes humorous, lyrics that make up his musical
canon. Ever evolving artistically, he draws his audience in as he unfolds
his heartfelt stories to those who gather to listen.
Traveling across the country, Dan has taken his one-man show to over
a hundred venues in 20 states playing several legendary places like Eddie’s
Attic in Atlanta and CBGB’s in New York. Vaillancourt loves being
on tour, it’s a great opportunity to meet his fans and hone his couch-surfing
abilities. Yet despite his accomplishments and musical prowess, Dan remains
a truly approachable, down-to-earth guy known as much for his homegrown
salsa and love of Monty Python as he is for his musical abilities.
With his energy, innovative guitar style, and unique live concerts, it’s
no wonder that Dan Vaillancourt is capturing a growing audience that’s
as diverse as his influences. As singer/songwriter Pat Wictor said, “Dan’s
big strengths as a performer are his non-stop positive energy and rhythmic
virtuosity.” Do yourself a favor and catch this rising star either
live or via Melodic Snapshots, your ears and heart will thank you.
Buy Dan
CDs
