About Brock Zeman
Over the past five years Brock Zeman has elbowed his way into the independent music world. The 27 year old singer-songwriter of Carleton Place Ontario has already released 6 albums and toured Canada and the US extensively averaging 250 to 300 dates a year. His signature roots style, has been praised by critics for the maturity of his vocals, the depth of his storytelling and his impressive live performances. He was first discovered by Canadian Country Hall of Famer Keith Glass (Prairie Oyster) who went on to produce his first 4 releases. By the time of his 5th released Brock was picked up by Busted Flat records out of Kitchener Ontario, and in the past five years Brock has become known as one of the most prolific, hard working artists to fly under the radar.
About Dan Walsh
Canadian multi-instrumentalist, Dan Walsh is already well known for his collaborations with a number of talented musicians. He’s added his bluesy-bluegrass signature style to more than two dozen albums and toured across North America, Europe and Australia.
For many years Walsh was a key member of Fred Eaglesmith’s band, The Flying Squirrels, where he played more than a couple of hundred gigs a year and shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Little Feat, Toby Keith, Delbert McClinton, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Kelly Joe Phelps, Willie P. Bennett and the Del McCoury Band. Lately he’s been touring North America with noted singer-song writer Brock Zeman and appears on his latest album (The Bourbon Sessions), produced by Walsh & Zeman.
Now, at long last, we get Walsh solo with Diesel & Smokes (Busted Flat Records), the first release where the spotlight falls on Walsh’s instrumental genius. But in true Walsh style, his original compositions with dobro, lap steel and electric, baritone and acoustic guitars (and more) are not at all showy, but understated, moody — and mesmerizing.
Tracks like “White Knuckle” infuse an old timey rhythm and melody cycle with a contemporary aesthetic. “Geary Street,” on the other hand, showcases his bent for folk-rock with echoes of the Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead, while “Spark Plug” has a clear blues inflection.
Exclaim! magazine has already praised Diesel & Smokes: “The multi-talented Dan Walsh paints a vivid sonic picture of the touring life on his all-instrumental debut… Walsh’s adeptness at playing multiple instruments on each track…renders the organic sound of the recording all the more remarkable. Music to be listened to while driving alone at night” (Neil McDonald, 10/06/06 Exclaim!).
Musician, Corb Lund says of Walsh’s sound: “Walshy is awesome. I’ve played with him lots and he’s on everybody’s record and he’s always tasty as hell.”
Producer and musician, Gurf Morlix adds, “Dan is one of the most musical people I know. Never played a bad note in his life. Never will.”
“Walsh is what people sometimes refer to a ‘musician’s musician,’” say Mark Logan, founder of Busted Flat Records. “He’s so talented and he can play in so many different styles and voices, but he still has his own sound – his own vision and style. Diesel & Smokes is a tribute to his incredible versatility and originality.”