West Coast phenom Daniel Wesley is enjoying the experience of being on tour with Canadian alt-rocker Matthew Good.
They’re performing Thursday night at the Cultural Centre in a wicked double bill.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” says Wesley over the phone from his home in Vancouver. “The tour has been great and Matt and his group are really friendly.”
Wesley has been learning a lot from the experience, as he criss-crosses Canada backed by musicians Mike Cohen and Jeremy Kleynhans.
He first broke onto the scene when his song, Ooo Ohh, became the most requested song of 2007 at 99.3 The Fox in Vancouver. The infectious rock-reggae single from Sing and Dance in 2007, raised the bar on his success and found Wesley playing to sold-out crowds throughout western Canada and touring across Canada with The Trews, Ill Scarlett and Dirty Heads.
Several albums and concerts later, the White Rock born Wesley was asked to tour with Matt Good.
He says he’s been trying to keep in shape and not indulge in too many late nights. But it’s always a challenge to find that kind of balance on the road, he admits.
Matthew Good Lights of Endangered Species Tour, with guest Daniel Wesley, Nov. 24 at the Cultural Centre, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $42.50 (plus sc). 604-391-SHOW (7469).
Here’s how the rest of the Q & A interview went between the Progress and Daniel Wesley:
What is playing on your car stereo these days?
To be honest we haven’t listened to anything until this past 48 hours or so. Everyone has their own iPhone for tunes. But we listened to some Billie Holiday while driving through the mountains, and the new Tom Waits. There was some Nirvana, Leonard Cohen, and My Morning Jacket. We had a bit of everything.
Who was a big influence when you were young?
I’m a product of the 1990s, so definitely bands like Pearl Jam. Nowadays what influences me comes from everyday life: my life, my family and friends. All my experiences shape the songs now.
Are you mostly home or touring these days?
It’s been back and forth. When I’m home I want to get out on the road. When I’m on the road, I miss home.
How do you stay healthy on tour? Is it possible?
We all exercise. Some more than others. We definitely try to do it as much as possible. Getting enough sleep is the number one thing on the road, especially as far as singing goes. We do have fun sometimes, but it’s about finding that balance.
What was the weirdest gig ever?
I played on a houseboat once. That was really weird. It was Canada Day and we had a driver that took us around Shushap Lake. We were serenading people on the lake.
A few rock anthems snuck in alongside the reggae-tinged party music on the latest CD. Is that a new direction?
Yeah there’s a little rock, but I’ve always done a bit of rock. Only thing that’s different is it’s a little harder. I think people are liking the new album. It’s more diverse, and it’s opening up doors like playing with Matt. It keeps it interesting for me and the band.
What’s the first single, Head Outta Water, really about?
We all go through our busy lives, just trying to get ahead. We put one foot in front of the other and go, go, go. Sometimes we have all have these feelings that well up inside when it’s just hard to get by. That’s keeping our heads out of water. It’s pretty human.
