biographical info
In working to modernize a rich history of North American folk and blues Bryan Arcand emerges as a fresh voice to roots music.
With winding tales of lovers,
squatters and city streets, Arcand reaches for the ideals of freedom
with songs that are staggering in theme and eclectic in sound.
Through a vagabonding youth, that took him from his birthplace in
the Southern US, to New York, Vancouver then Toronto, and a number of places in
between, Arcand listened to anyone living to be heard whether they be
musicians, painters, preachers or poets. During this time he learned to
play guitar from street performers and honed his skills busking where
he could and playing in any stale barroom or old café that would have
him. When finally settling in Parkdale Bryan began to play on the Toronto music scene, and before long landed a year long residency at the legendary Cameron House. Where he shared the stage with such Toronto artists as Justin Rutledge, Corin Raymond, and Kevin Quain.
Since moving on he recorded and independently released his 2009 debut, cheekily titled "FOLK (backwards K)". When asked about the meaning behind its name Arcand says, "I don't feel like I'm a traditional folk artist, and I only came to discover that when I started to watch other performers at the Cameron House. In my mind the ethos of folk music was very strong, and I was completely smitten with idea that songs could be about an experience with the land and its people. Ony when I started to discover folk music did I start to see similarities between it and hip-hop or punk. I'm 22 now and I know that my generation isn't a generation of folkies. I knew that the music I was writing for my last album wasn't really folk sounding, but I felt like I was conveying its ethos lyrically. So, when naming the album 'FOLK (backwards K)" I guess I was only trying to convey my convoluted ideas about the music I love."
Armed with a DIY ethos and a realist view, Arcand’s songs reach far
beyond his years, and deep into the dark heart of American music.