Cleanly executed folk pop features lots of shimmering acoustic guitar playing and pretty pedal steel filigrees from an artist who may be the flesh-and-blood realization of a Dan Fogelberg/James Taylor genetic accident.

11 MP3 Songs
POP: Folky Pop, COUNTRY: Country Folk



Details:
"I think songs should run the gamut of emotions," says singer /songwriter, Derek Swain. "I feel the need to say something meaningful."

Swain's message is getting out. His music and lyrics have a wholesome feel that touches universal chords. "Songs should make you cry, laugh, get angry, open your eyes...songs should make you want to stand up."

In 1996, Swain released his debut album, Say Goodbye, a track from which "So Much Left To Say" was included on the Acoustic Rainbow an American compilation disc released by Poetman Records. The song received moderate to heavy rotation on over 180 American and Canadian radio stations.

After the success of this first album, Derek released his 2nd album, Simple Things, in 1998. Distributed in Canada by Holborne, both Simple Things and Say Goodbye have also been placed in the Columbia House Music Catalog.

Simple Things was the result of a yearlong collaboration with renowned producer, Singer/Songwriter J.K Gulley. The album features eleven original songs, written by Derek and co-written with Gulley.

Since the release of Simple Things, Swain has had an increasing presence on Canadian Country Radio, with three singles "In Time", "A Little More", and "Simple Things" each respectively reaching # 54, # 34, and # 69 on the RPM Country Music charts. "Simple Things" was also serviced to Adult Contemporary Radio. Two songs from Simple Things was also included in the soundtrack of a Canadian produced movie titled "Wandering Soul Murders".

Swain, who performs frequently at various venues around Southern and Central Ontario, has also appeared at several festivals, including the NXNE Music Festival, Unityfest '97 (Swain joined many Canadian groups in "singing for Canada" including, The Nylons, Leahy, Jason McCoy, and Sandy McIntyre) and the Caledon Folk Festival. A recent highlight was opening for The Grievous Angels in April of 1999. Other noteworthy act's Swain has opened for include Garnet Rogers, (Stan Rogers' brother) in May of 1995, and the Mummble Ducks on numerous occasions. Derek's unique wit and casual attitude appeal to all audiences.

A prolific writer, Swain used to write a song every day, but now as a father of three, he has cut back to three or four songs a month. He is currently putting the finishing touches on a new release titled "Better Days" which is a straight up solo guitar and vocal only production recorded earlier this year. He knows he has a lot to be grateful for, and to share