Dan Vaillancourt
Dan Vaillancourt’s unique musical style has earned him the reputation as Michigan’s Funktified Folkman. Performing his songs of life, love, and loss, this stell
1
songs
36
plays
Dylan Breath Dylan Breath
Funktified Folk? Whats that you ask? Its a tasty blend of musical genres: jazz, folk, blues, hip-hop and other styles that best describes Michigans guitar virtuoso, Dan Vaillancourt. Dont try to figure it out, just pick up his latest release, Melodic Snapshots, and listen for yourself.Band/artist history
Any attempt to pin down the style of Michigans singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso, Dan Vaillancourt, is like trying to count grains of sand on the shoreits 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 bachelors degree in Cultural Anthropology and World Religion, its 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, Vaillancourts latest self-produced studio album, is a montage of songs about dreams and aspirations thats 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 its 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 experiencesexperiences 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 Eddies Attic in Atlanta and CBGBs in New York. Vaillancourt loves being on tour, its 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, its no wonder that Dan Vaillancourt is capturing a growing audience thats as diverse as his influences. As singer/songwriter Pat Wictor said, Dans 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.Have you performed in front of an audience?I've played in over a hundred venues in 20 states. Each night I perform is a special moment for me.. especially if the audience in connecting.
Your musical influences
Paul Simon, Scratch, Victor Wooten, Ben Harper, Larry Norman, Monk, G Love, Ryan Adcock, Ashley Peacock, John Prine, Bela Fleck, Chris Thile, Bobby Mcferrin, Darden Smith, Edgar Meyers, Mike Marshall, Joseph Arthur, Lost and Found, Jeffery Hyde Thompson, Martin Sexton, Slam Stewart, Bob Dylan, e.e. cummings, David Wilcox
Midland, MI
USA
ID
469817
Contact
Sorry, this artist currently doesn't accept email messages.
