Artist description No stranger to Toronto, Ontario’s arty pop scene, Dean Drouillard is an accomplished singer/songwriter whose music often wears its heart on its sleeve, sometimes up it. Dean spent the majority of his musical life in the lunchbox town of Windsor, Ontario as one of the city’s most sought after musicians for bands and songwriters alike. Though his talent shines in this environment, Real Detroit magazine agrees that Dean is, “…ready to break out from being the sideman of all sidemen.”The soon-to-be-released CD entitled in other words… was craftily recorded by Dean in his Queen St. apartment and on the road across Ontario mainly with a 4-track. Though the changing settings and traffic below may not seem like an ideal situation to record his delicate music, it somehow suits the truthful tone of the album. Dean’s music has been labeled as “rainy day music”. Musically, Dean is often compared to the likes of Paul Simon and Elliott Smith because of his soft and often folk-influenced brand of mellow pop. Lyrically, the songs find beauty and importance in simple everyday situations and are delivered with such emotive honesty that draws the listener in. Dean’s nurtured style comes from years of exploration and experience both leading and supporting many types of musical projects. Starting out in his teens Dean’s first role was as guitarist/keyboardist for the Jigsaw Affair – a band who shortly later would become Canada’s Tea Party. Years later, after playing in various jazz and pop/rock groups around town, Dean gained some valuable experience writing and playing bass in Windsor’s most loved power-pop trio Racecar. The band toured regularly throughout Ontario and the eastern U.S., even showcasing at New York’s infamous CBGB’s. After the band split Dean continued playing around town in many bands including Anneke’s Star, Liquid Car Crash, and his own Dean Drouillard Group.In 1999 Dean was hired as the lead guitarist for Canada’s Juno award winners, the Johnny Favourite Swing Orchestra, utilizing his versatility as a musician. After a great deal of time spent on the road and Favourite’s decision to go solo, Dean secured the role as Favourite’s musical director and principle contributing songwriter. Favourite’s 2000 album The Tonight Album features some of Dean’s more commercial writing suitable for such an artist.Though Dean continues playing sideman for such artists as Johnny Favourite, Howie Beck, Kevin Quain and the Mad Bastards, among others his true focus is his performing his own music and building a reputation as a unique and talented solo act. You can see Dean playing solo or with a small group of musicians. Visit Dean at www.deandrouillard.com

Music Style Moody Folk Pop

Musical Influences Elliott Smith, Ben Folds Five, Joe Jackson, Paul Simon, Paul Weller, Freedy Johnston, Elvis Costello

Similar Artists Elliott Smith, Paul Simon, Duncan Sheik, Freedy Johnston, Beatles, Zombies

Artist History Drouillard is originally from the blue-collar city of Windsor, Ontario. A border town located across the river from Detroit. Dean spent years there playing rock, pop, folk, jazz, in his own projects but more often in demand by others. In 1999 he was hired by the winners of Canada's Juno award for Best New Group, the Johnny Favourite Swing Orchestra. He spent 6 months touring before settling down. The band disbanded but Favourite, who decided to go solo, kept Dean on as a songwriter/guitarist/musical director for the group. Some of Drouillard's songs can be heard on the latest album by Johnny Favourite "The Tonight Album". Now based in Toronto, Ontario, Dean is focusing more of his energy on the material close to him and performing in front of audiences locally with plans for a tour in the near future.

Group Members Dean Drouillard - vocals, guitars, other instruments when necessaryOther members used when needed.

Instruments vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, electric and acoustic bass, keyboards, drums, percussion

Albums Windows (1998), Take Me Home (1996), Almost (1994), Alone (1989)

Location Toronto, Ontario - Canada

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