Dan Bryk

Singer/Songwriter Dan Bryk treads the fine line between classic pop innocence and the irony of indie rock. Raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Bryk incorporated his loves for simple '70s pop and quirky, homespun alternative rock, creating sonic collages possible only in a post-grunge world. Compared to a cross between Randy Newman and They Might Be Giants filtered through the lo-fi charm of someone like Beck, he made a splash in the cluttered Toronto music scene with his 1995 independent debut A*****e. With themes similar to fellow Canadian Hayden, Bryk's debut dealt with topics like living at home, having failed relationships, and generally being neurotic. Signing to hip indie label Scratchie Records in 1997, the songwriter spent considerable time working on his 2000 release Lovers Leap, focusing on his off-kilter piano-oriented pop songwriting. The following year, Bryk toured United States and Japan in support of his second album. ~ Zac Johnson