Exclusive Interview

Guy, can you share how your Canadian roots and upbringing have influenced your music style, particularly in the folk and rock genres? Good question. I don't think that my Canadian roots had all that much influence on my writing or outlook, as I am more influenced by American and UK artists and music. I don't write about Canada or anything specifically related to Canada. My upbringing did contribute to my developing a deeper sense of self, a deeper well of imagination due to being raised with three much older sisters and a mom, none of whom paid that much attention to me on a daily basis. That prompted me to be more independent of thought and let my imagination wander and develop.

What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in music, and how did you transition from casual performances to becoming a professional artist? My dad was a great singer, trumpet player and pianist. He was also a great drinker. I admired and loved him deeply. I also just had something inside me that needed to get out, things in my head that needed to be said. Words and music were my vehicles. Still are, decades later. Casual to professional is a process with purpose. You, and a handful of others, make that happen. Looking back, I don't remember it being casual.

Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Do you start with melodies, lyrics, or do they often come to you simultaneously? I am an inspired writer. The oddest things will trigger my thought process and creative juices, bringing me to writing mode. If I am being channeled, as I have been occasionally, the message will present itself in a dream. One of the two songs I have submitted, Whisper Canyon, is an example. The story was delivered by a young male voice who explained that he had lived until the age of 12, when he was killed. I took it from there, along with the few tidbits I had been offered. Otherwise, I will have something come to mind, I'll sit with an acoustic, and out comes an idea, usually a chord progression with a melody in my head and I'll let the story come to me. It most often does. It's rare to write one song. It's usually a cluster. Sometimes disparate lines that don't come out in one sitting, but do not go together. Fragments that become other songs. It's a wonderful feeling to write and complete a song. I heard many songwriters say they don't listen to their music once it's been recorded. What a shame. I love my songs.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound? Are there specific artists or albums that you constantly return to for inspiration? I'm a multi instrument singer songwriter, so I have been influenced by many sources. My biggest electric guitar influences would have come from Paul Kossoff and Mark Knopfler. Songwriting influences would be Dylan, Tony Joe White.

Your music resonates deeply with many listeners. How important is it for you to build a personal connection with your fans, and how do you achieve that? I write stories with characters and situations that, I hope, resonate with folks. They are sometimes proverbial losers, lovable losers, sometimes sinister characters that most people have encountered at some point in their journeys. Some songs are pure fantasy, some have a twist. I hope to never be preachy. I don't carry a torch, a flag or write in cliches.

Much of folk music carries societal and personal messages. What themes do you find yourself drawn to when creating your music, and why do they matter to you? I don't sing from a pulpit, and try to be entertaining. I do, on many occasions, write about injustice, predatory evil, murder, the imprisoned, the jobless, the challenged. I write about love, lack of love, aging, hard times.

You’ve likely performed in a variety of venues. What has been your most memorable performance experience, and what made it stand out? I remember opening for a big Canadian rock band and the venue was larger than any I had ever played in, by a lot. I went from playing to a hundred to playing for thousands. It was nerve wracking but not nerve wrecking! I loved it, after a song or two!

Have you collaborated with other artists, and if so, what did you learn from those experiences? I have often enjoyed pairing up with someone to write songs. In the end, I prefer to write alone. That said, I like to have some songs arranged by someone else to broaden the palette and make some songs open up more.

The music industry can be tough. What challenges have you faced as an independent artist, and how have you overcome them? Theft, indifference, arrogance, ignorance, liars. I've seen more underbelly than most. Just unlucky or maybe I attract it, but probably not.

Looking ahead, what can your fans expect from you in the near future? Are there any new projects, collaborations, or albums in the works that you’re particularly excited about? I have 14 songs ready to record. I am debating whether I get them done in a larger studio than my home studio, which has its limitations. Doing everything myself is rewarding, but I am not good at everything, so this time out, I am looking to take my demos to people who do things better than I do. That shouldn't be too hard... My strength is lyrics, song structure, guitar work, overall groove, atmosphere relating to the storyline etc... I am not a 'good' singer. The rest is hard work: producing, arranging, mixing, mastering. Did I say I love it all? I love it, all.

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