About Dan — His Bio
Michigan-based
Singer-Songwriter Dan Vaillancourt has been called a virtuosic
guitarist, a natural storyteller, an entity all his own and even The
Jimi Hendrix of Folk! With his custom acoustic 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 may be 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, virtuosic guitar-playing
with a dash of beatboxing and vocal horns generously laced with some
serious jazz chops for a live experience that no one should miss. He
has been compared to artists as diverse as Paul Simon, Preston Reed,
Bobby Mcferrin, Leo Kottke, Shawn Mullins, Victor Wooten, Keller
Williams, G Love, Joe Henry, Todd Snider and many more...
Dan Vaillancourt is a modern-day troubadour and has taken his one-man
show all over the country and has performed over five-hundred shows in
over a hundred venues in nearly half of the states in the country,
including several legendary venues like Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta and
the now-defunct 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 Midwestern guy known as
much for his homegrown salsa and love of Monty Python as he is for his
musical abilities.
Vaillancourt's latest release Melodic Snapshots was met with success
across the board. Critics and fans alike showered praise upon the
album. In 2006, nation-wide airplay on over 100 stations landed the
album an extended stay on the CMJ AAA charts next to the likes of Ben
Harper, Wilco, Yellowcard, Van Morrison, Beth Orton, Neko Case, The
Darkness, Shawn Mullins, Cat Powers, & Beck. Nationally syndicated
radio program Acoustic Cafe, featured Dan Vaillancourt on February's
One To Watch segment which features and highlights the best of today's
up and coming artists.
Five different songs from Melodic Snapshots were featured on CD
compilations distributed across the United States, Australia, and
around the world. Dan's music was in good company appearing alongside
artists like Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Orton, Umphrey’s McGee, Donavon
Frankenreiter and many more. The five compilations total over 15,000
copies!
Vaillancourt is currently in the studio working on his forthcoming
album due out in Summer 2008. Dan is excited to be working on his new
record with a slew of talented musicians including former
Grammy-nominated guitarist/producer Ric Hordinski. Ric has produced
albums for artists such as Over The Rhine, Phil Keaggy, & David
Wilcox. An album of live material recorded in 2006 is being released in
Summer 2007.
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.” Find out why people all around the
country are listening to Dan Vaillancourt and Make It Funktified!
Looking For More Info/Photos? Check out the Electronic Press Kit: http://www.sonicbids.com/danvaillancourt
QUOTES
''...a natural storyteller, who manages to spin and weave his snapshots and snippets of dreams and conversations into engrossing tales that capture the listener's imagination...." -Bob Gottlieb (F.A.M.E.)
"What really gives Vaillancourt's songs the lift that makes them stand out is the lyrics; his witty, worldly, and wise observations on love and life...." -eomentertainment.com
"...Has the ring of early Todd Snider..." -Rob Reinhart (Acoustic Café Radio Host)
"The sound of Dan Vaillancourt's CD 'Melodic Snapshots' is awesome. It has that very cool fresh young thing that only he can deliver. Plus, it is about as honest and friendly as one can find. His songs have a certain dignity and charm that is unique to him! --Craig Carrick [NorEast'r Festival Booking Committee]
"...an entity all its own." -Yvonne Glasgow (Music Review)
"...an ear of maturity and a knack for entertaining folks with his funky folk style." -Smother.net
"Though he performs alone, Michigan-based singer-songwriter Dan Vaillancourt doesn't stick to one sound: With just his voice and custom 10-string guitar, Vaillancourt jumps genres from song to song--and even mid-tune. The easiest descriptor may be folk-funk, but that fails to account for chatty spoken-word bits, hip-hop goofs, and straight-ahead pop songs." -The Onion (May 2003)
"I loved the concert! Dan is the most talented musician/performer I have ever seen, and I've seen a bunch! It was an honor to host him here at the Creative Spirit Center. Also, I am impressed that he has such great marketing skills, we know that he was responsible for everybody [in attendance] that night!" - Linda Z. Smith, Founder of The Creative Spirit Center in Midland, MI
"What a fun evening. Dan's fingers sure can fly, and we were wondering several times throughout the evening if the stage was going to be able to hold all his energy. Dan's talent will continue to grow and grow." - Angela Wieske, Backroads House Concerts, Alpena, MI
"Dan is a terrific interview. We had a great time playing songs, chatting about what inspired them and about stories from the road. We've gotten positive feedback from listeners. I will love having him back." - Christie James, WECR-FM, Boone, NC
"Dan Vaillancourt does more with just an acoustic guitar than most three piece bands can accomplish." - Leo Zaccari, 90.5FM The Night , Lincroft, NJ
"...The Jimi Hendrix of Folk!" - Steve Wieske (fan)
"Dan Vaillancourt sets a standard for style that is immeasurable by ANYBODY in the music business. Funk, Folk, or otherwise, I have no doubt that Dan Vaillancourt will be heard from in the future." - Jes Bouchard (fan)
"I think the funky stuff is amazing―two of Dan's big strengths as a performer are his non-stop positive energy and rhythmic virtuosity." - Pat Wictor (Singer-Songwriter)
"...Irresistibly catchy and amazingly unique!" –Cassie Irwin (fan)
'...a natural storyteller, who manages to spin and weave his snapshots and snippets of dreams and conversations into engrossing tales that capture the listener's imagination...." -Bob Gottlieb (F.A.M.E.)
"What really gives Vaillancourt's songs the lift that makes them stand out is the lyrics; his witty, worldly, and wise observations on love and life...." -eomentertainment.com
"...Has the ring of early Todd Snider..." -Rob Reinhart (Acoustic Café Radio Host)
"The sound of Dan Vaillancourt's CD 'Melodic Snapshots' is awesome. It has that very cool fresh young thing that only he can deliver. Plus, it is about as honest and friendly as one can find. His songs have a certain dignity and charm that is unique to him! --Craig Carrick [NorEast'r Festival Booking Committee]
"...an entity all its own." -Yvonne Glasgow (Music Review)
"...an ear of maturity and a knack for entertaining folks with his funky folk style." -Smother.net
"Though he performs alone, Michigan-based singer-songwriter Dan Vaillancourt doesn't stick to one sound: With just his voice and custom 10-string guitar, Vaillancourt jumps genres from song to song--and even mid-tune. The easiest descriptor may be folk-funk, but that fails to account for chatty spoken-word bits, hip-hop goofs, and straight-ahead pop songs." -The Onion (May 2003)
"I loved the concert! Dan is the most talented musician/performer I have ever seen, and I've seen a bunch! It was an honor to host him here at the Creative Spirit Center. Also, I am impressed that he has such great marketing skills, we know that he was responsible for everybody [in attendance] that night!" - Linda Z. Smith, Founder of The Creative Spirit Center in Midland, MI
"What a fun evening. Dan's fingers sure can fly, and we were wondering several times throughout the evening if the stage was going to be able to hold all his energy. Dan's talent will continue to grow and grow." - Angela Wieske, Backroads House Concerts, Alpena, MI
"Dan is a terrific interview. We had a great time playing songs, chatting about what inspired them and about stories from the road. We've gotten positive feedback from listeners. I will love having him back." - Christie James, WECR-FM, Boone, NC
"Dan Vaillancourt does more with just an acoustic guitar than most three piece bands can accomplish." - Leo Zaccari, 90.5FM The Night , Lincroft, NJ
"...The Jimi Hendrix of Folk!" - Steve Wieske (fan)
"Dan Vaillancourt sets a standard for style that is immeasurable by ANYBODY in the music business. Funk, Folk, or otherwise, I have no doubt that Dan Vaillancourt will be heard from in the future." - Jes Bouchard (fan)
"I think the funky stuff is amazing―two of Dan's big strengths as a performer are his non-stop positive energy and rhythmic virtuosity." - Pat Wictor (Singer-Songwriter)
"...Irresistibly catchy and amazingly unique!" –Cassie Irwin (fan)