Dylan Hennessy

Five Questions

What has been your biggest show or accomplishment to date and why?

This past April I got to fulfill my lifelong dream of playing at Dundas Square in Toronto. It was pretty surreal to be on that stage since I've seen some of my favorite acts there (Billy Talent, Lights, etc.). I remember walking by when I was 15 during NXNE and seeing a band playing from the street, and thinking to myself "Woah...That's where I want to end up one day. If I could ever play that stage my life would be made." Well, it happened!

What has been your worst show and why?

This past winter, my band played a show at a small bar in Toronto called The Central. On top of the band who booked the show dropping out the day before, it also happened to be -23 degrees, the coldest day we had all winter. So you could imagine no one left their homes, and we played to the staff and the other two solo acts there. Sometimes you've just gotta plow through and hold to your commitments.

What are some of your musical influences?

My all-time influences would be Dream Theater, Billy Talent, The Beatles, Antonie Dufour, and a handful of local artists.

What is your strangest celebrity encounter and or rock star story?

I ran into Daniela Andrade (YouTube cover artist) in Montreal this past summer at an open mic. I was with a friend who recognized her and freaked out. Which was funny because we were all there for the same reason: to work on our chops. It was cool to see someone with millions of fans grinding it out and putting in the same hours just like any other musician. We all stuck around for each other's sets, it was a great night.

Anything else we should know?

I've been an avid skateboarder for the last 15 years. I've been waiting to come back overseas since I was 19, and I'm ecstatic to make my return! - Indie Week Europe

Toronto’s Quirky Looping Artist “Dylan Hennessy” Does Sneaky Dee's to Gear Up For An International Adventure

Dylan Hennessy has been grinding it out in Toronto’s venues for the last several years, playing shows to thousands some days and to five people on others, and is now taking on the biggest adventure of his life. A "Toronto-born guitarist gone astray to explore all the different sounds he can make," Dylan will be heading to Manchester in the fall to play Indie Week Europe 2016. This is the type of adventure Dylan had only dreamed of as a child, as he'll be heading over, guitar in one hand suitcase full of gear in the other to play several showcases representing Canada and showcasing his unique brand of music.

Dylan also aims to pay his way there by playing music, the very thing that’s sending him in the first place. His fundraising tactics will include busking on Toronto’s streets, playing additional gigs and weddings, working in a guitar store, teaching guitar, and putting on his most ambitious concert yet at the end of August.

Dylan's story began with his father, who learned to play guitar when he found out his wife was pregnant with a child, Dylan. He bought Dylan a guitar on his 10th Christmas and he hasn't looked back since. Dylan has gone on to graduate from Seneca's Independent Music Production program, perform in festivals, produce an acoustic showcase series, host open stages across the city and play some of Toronto's biggest stages in the hundreds of shows he's played. Which brings him to this, his international launch.

“I think everyone has a dream like this when they’re a kid. Some kids want to be astronauts or police officers, I wanted to be a musician” Dylan recalls. “So far the adventure’s been the best kind of difficult, because the reward is so great. Music can be a difficult career pursuit because it can take such a long time to see the kinds of results you’re working so hard for, but finally getting to have these types of experiences is more rewarding than I can really express.”

Dylan’s put together a milestone show to celebrate and to raise funds for his overseas showcases. “An Evening With Dylan Hennessy” will feature 3 unique sets: one with his dad who he credits for beginning his musical endeavours, one on his own to show the type of music he began performing with, and one with his band to showcase the type of material he’s writing now. “I’ve wanted to put on this show for a while and it just seemed like now was a time that made sense with everything that’s going on. I’m really excited to put on the best show I know I’m capable of doing.”

Dylan doesn’t know exactly what Manchester will hold for him, but between the 3 showcases he’ll be playing, it’s sure to be an exciting new plateau on the road to realizing the dream he’s chased ever since he was a child. “An Evening With Dylan Hennessy” will take place at Sneaky Dee’s, August 27that 7PM. $15/pay-what-you-can. Indie Week Europe will take place in Manchester from October 12th-16th.

WHEN: Sat August 27th, 7:15pm (doors 7:00pm)

WHERE: Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., Toronto

TIX: $15/Pay What You Can - BlogTO

(YouTube video of "Dylan Hennessy - "Such Is Life" Live @ Graffiti's (Original) )

Dylan Hennessy is a Toronto musician whose passion for music has lead him to take on music as a career. He is a versatile musician, spanning an array of instruments in a variety of genres, with his main focuses being a cross between lyric-driven ballads and “Folk with attitude”. He incorporates as much influence from as many styles as he can into his own creations, with elements of soul, rock, and unconventional guitar playing.

Check him out at Indie Week Canada 2014. Oct 15 – 19

Website/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dylanhennessy
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/dylanhennessymusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dylanhennessy/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dylanhennessy/ - Indie Week

I first saw Dylan Hennessy perform at last year's Canadian Music Week in Toronto. He captivated the crowd with a strong stage presence and wonderfully intricate, melodic tunes. Mr. Hennessy is one of those rare singer-songwriters who combines keen insight with wicked guitar chops. When he is not amazing you with his wit and insight he is mesmerizing you with his runs up and down the fretboard.

I caught up with him last week at the Free Times Cafe during one of his"Acoustic Addiction" events.

(video in press review) - The View From The Corner Stool

I love the creativity in this cover. This classic Santana song is performed in Reggae style by a talented musician from Toranto named Dylan Hennessy. It combines some very creative guitar playing and even some beat boxing.

Dylan Hennessy is a Torontonian musician who’s passion for music has lead him to take on music as a career. As a recent graduate of Seneca College’s “Independent Music Production” program, he is a versatile musician, spanning an array of instruments in a variety of genres, with his main focus being in rock and acoustic-based music. That said, he tries to incorporate as much influence from as many styles as he can into his own creations, with elements of soul, folk, and unconventional guitar playing. Right now, Dylan is currently the host and organizer of a bi-monthly local acoustic showcase, “Acoustic Addiction.” He is currently working on his debut EP which is set to be released in summer of 2013. Until then, you can find his material on his youtube page.

So, here it is. Listen, and enjoy because every great song deserves another. - Tedeschi.mx Cover Songs Blog

Acoustic Addiction is back for it’s first installment of 2013. This edition of the ongoing acoustic showcase will be held at Toronto’s famous “Sneaky Dee’s”. The venue, typically known to host rock and other heavier music, will be taking on a new sound for the night, as the stage is filled by acoustic sets from Jessica Spagnolo, Christopher Strazz, Dylan Hennessy and Lilly Mason.

The event is also the first in the series to be a charity show. All proceeds made from the show will be donated to Musicounts. Musicounts mission is to "ensure that children in Canada, regardless of socio-economic circumstances and cultural background, have access to a music program through their school."

Acoustic Addiction started in March of last year. Since then, the bi-monthly showcase has seen larger audiences, been hosted in bigger, better venues, and has seen some remarkable guests. Show founder, Dylan Hennessy, says the 6th edition of showcase is shaping up to be the biggest and best so far. “The showcase started in a bar by Yonge and Eglinton. As it grew, we were able to play in venues such as Free Times Cafe and The Supermarket. Hosting at Sneaky Dee’s is an amazing opportunity to put on the best show we possibly can, and to support a great cause while we do it.”

The show will take place on Saturday, January 26th with doors opening at 6:00 and performances beginning at 6:30 sharp. This is a pay-what-you-can event. - BlogTO