Pete Van Dyk is only 20, but is already a veteran of the Canadian music scene.
"I've been playing live since I was 14 and in bars since I was 16," said the Ontario-based musician who will perform at 5th Avenue Cup & Saucer in Yorkton tonight, adding "I'm 20 now.
Van Dyk explained he came to music at an early age through his father.
Born and raised in Burlington, Ont, he said, "Dad had a few old guitars sitting around the house." He started to take lessons at age 10, and was in his first band around age 14, playing "local youth venues with a mix of psychedelic/blues music."
Van Dyk said he, "began to write and perform solo in bars at age 16 and released EPs in 2007, 2008 and 2009."
He just released his first full length album Sept. 27.
In terms of preparing material for his various recording sessions Van Dyk said like many writers he draws on his life for inspiration.
"I just write about life," he said. "Most of the songs on the record are based on personal or first-hand experiences."
Van Dyk said when it comes to writing, he can put pen to paper almost anytime the mood strikes.
"I write pretty much anywhere," he said, adding, "Some people say that good writing comes from pain or controversy, I guess you could say that's true. I mean isn't that what life's all about?
"I get ideas walking down the street, sometimes I'm reading or talking with someone, or driving. I'll file the idea away. Sometimes I just finish the lyrics and then bring it out when I'm playing guitar, sometimes I'll be playing on guitar and think of some lyrics or a situation or idea I filed away."
As for the newest CD, Van Dyk said, "most of the material for this CD was written in the last five or six months. I pulled out a few older songs as well. I tend to be pretty critical of my own songwriting, I think the record had about 25 decent songs that I pared down to the 11."
The CD was recorded in an old house in downtown Toronto on Queen Street East over the month of August, said Van Dyk.
"Two of the main sessions were Saturdays where we recorded from 8 a.m. 'til midnight. It was done live off the floor with overdubs for pedal steel, keys and vocals so we could capture the live energy of the band," he added.
"The producer, Tyler Mastantuono really helped capture the sound, the place we recorded was actually his house. It was an old brick room with no ventilation or air conditioning and one window, so we literally had to break between each song and have smoke breaks we were sweating so much. The first day there it was like 36 degrees."
Notwithstanding the heat, Van Dyk likes the finished product.
"I'm quite happy with the CD, it offers a good representation of our styles from folk, to blues to country to rock with even a bit of soul/gospel," he said.
As for a favoured cut, Van Dyk said, "I guess I should say that they're all my favourites, but I really like Evangeline. It's a hard style and sound to pin down, and really a departure from anything I've ever done before.
"It's (the new disk) already been released to a select number of college radio stations. The single were going with is 'Canadian Boy'.
Van Dyk will be performing in Yorkton with Zachary Aasman (see related story this issue).
