Reaching For Shores: Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers Talks About His Roots
"Music can be a way of telling the story of where you are from."
- Tony Dekker
Tony Dekker is the frontman of Canadian folk-country group Great Lake Swimmers (www.myspace.com/greatlakeswimmers). He's also a guy who likes to record songs in old churches, community halls and abandoned grain silos. Before the band’s upcoming China tour, he shared a few thoughts on his folk origins and swimming habits.
the Beijinger: Which lake are you swimming in?
Tony Dekker: I grew up swimming in Lake Erie, and lived near Lake Huron for a while and used to go up to Grand Bend and Ipperwash. I currently live in Toronto, which is on Lake Ontario. So the name has come to imply a geographical reference to the pocket of land where I live and grew up in. I like that music can be a way of telling the story of where you are from.
tbj: Does that mean one has to swim across a lake to be in the band?
TD: No, but it is encouraged.
tbj: You wanted to be a writer, but what got you into music instead?
TD: I studied and got a degree in literature and my intention was to spend time working on writing and finding other (paying) work that was somehow related. While working at a film company I began writing songs and performing in small venues in Toronto. From that, I recorded an album, and it was received really well, and so I began touring. Music eventually took over my life.
tbj: Any other careers would you pick up besides music?
TD: I’ve always been interested in the arts, so it would have to be something involved with that. If I had more time I would have loved to pursue something in visual arts. Installation art, maybe? Or, more accurately, professional grant writer?
tbj: Does performing in front of people still make you nervous?
TD: I started performing when I was a teenager in scrappy art-rock garage bands near my hometown. I was always pretty introverted. I think I’ve overcome a bit of that awkwardness. Being in front of people all the time and talking about yourself sort of forces you out of your shell.
tbj: Does folk music has to be regional?
TD: I think what makes folk music interesting is that it is regional. But no, I don’t think any one region has anything more important to say than any other region. Folk music is being shaped in interesting ways right now, and I think that one of the most important things about it is that it can tell the story of a particular place. Folk music can come from anywhere.
tbj: Both the lyrics and music of GLS suggest a fondness to nature...
TD: I grew up in the small farming community of Wainfleet, Ontario, on a farm there, and I think that rural upbringing has really informed my writing. There is a special connection to nature when your livelihood depends on it. It is important to be in tune with the rhythms of the natural world in that case. When I trace back to something that I feel I have a unique perspective on, it usually comes back to embracing those roots. Aside from that, I also really like the outdoors and draw a lot of inspiration from seeking a kind of spirituality in the wilderness.
music video of "Your Rocky Spine"
tbj: You’ve released EPs on USB flash drive and vinyl, how did that come about?
TD: The USB thing was actually conceived by a Canadian website/label/distributor called Zunior (www.zunior.com). I thought the idea was interesting because you can easily combine albums, videos, pictures, etc. all in the same place. The idea originated with them and we decided to try it. I still think it’s a great idea. As for vinyl, I think it’s the best format to listen to music on, and so we made the effort to release our albums that way. I completely understand the practicality and portability of an mp3 player, but at home, I think vinyl is best.
tbj: What are the musicians and art forms that influenced your songwriting?
TD: Early on I was really impressed by the independent and DIY attitude of doing things, and that is what made me want to pick up a guitar and write songs. But I think I came back around to folk and country-inspired music through that lens. I have always been inspired by the writing and music of Leonard Cohen, for example.
tbj: What’s the one thing you have to do in China?
TD: There are so many things I would like to see and do in China. For starters, there is Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Great Wall…that would be amazing. Great Lake Swimmers at the Great Wall!
Great Lake Swimmers play at Yugong Yishan on January 7 (Thursday), supported by Beijing folk stars Hao Yun (郝云) and Yu Yang (虞洋). RMB 150, RMB 100 (advance). Door opens at 8pm. 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu (100m west of Zhangzizhong Lu subway station), Dongcheng District (6404 2711). 东城区平安大道张自忠路3-2号(地铁五号线张自忠路站往西100米)
