Canada's next Bruce Cockburn: sounds like Damien Rice, Jayhawks, Paul McCartney, Bright Eyes...

10 MP3 Songs
POP: Beatles-pop, ROCK: Acoustic



Details:
Getting back to music is more than a giant career decision for indie-singer/songwriter Dean Wolfe. It's a mission- a celestial assignment left unresolved since abruptly switching careers at age twenty.

Wolfe's trademark is found at the intersection of Versatility and Prolific Creativity. In his teens he hustled clothes, roofed, chainsawed, swept factory floors and finally banged out 'walls of sound' rock guitar in Canadian clubs. He then swapped his white Fender Stratocaster for Chef whites- helping create culinary delights in humming 4-star hotel kitchens. Yet he could turn around and play fingerstyle acoustic guitar for a wedding of hundreds. He made a triple-tiered cake for his OWN wedding. Does he deserve the unusual distinction of one who has his cake and eats it too?

Dean's songs are cello-infused pop folk rock with alt.country twists. They fall nicely into the triple A radio format. His widely appealing tenor voice, ringing falsetto, and deft guitar work provide a solid platform to his song-craft.

The 'sounds like's have been extensive, a testament to the breadth of Wolfe's influences. Suffice to say, you'll be reminded of early Neil Young, Crowded House, Bright Eyes, Damien Rice, Jayhawks, Ben Folds and Wilco or Son Volt.

At ten, he conceived his calling in life: create, record, and perform original and inspiring music. (He held up Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells L.P as an ideal of compositional self-proficiency). His multi-track beginnings involved lining up 2 radioshack taperecorders.

An ambitious high school drop out- Wolfe auditioned and was hired- at age 17- to a full time cover band based in Ingersol Ontario. He quickly established himself as part of the enduring nucleus of FXU.

Touring Canada for three years bolstered his musicianship. Due to band personnel challenges, things petered out. He set out into the workforce and apprenticed as a medal-winning chef- thriving in the military-type training. Dean discovered the self-discipline he sorely lacked growing up.

Wolfe also pursued a ministry of nursing the ill in his religious community- those who relied on spiritual means (i.e. prayer) for healing. His deep felt love for music continued so he kept up writing, even recording a solo indie cassette and two CDs.

Wolfe has landed finalist positions in rock radio contests. A room-mate once attempted passing off Wolfe's music as his own- and the president of Warner Canada was even fooled, calling up after a showcase to praise a tune!

Dean's wearing all the hats (none tall and white) for his singer/songwriter debut "11:59"- released September, 2005.

A proud St. Catharines native (the same soil that brought us Neil Peart and Ron Sexsmith), Dean Wolfe (born Dean Salmela) now resides in Brampton Ontario with wife Janine, son Nathan, and two cats of some description.