Dahlia Wakefield
Close To Home
© 2003 Dahlia Wakefield/Squirrelly Girl Music (776127223423)
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Power pop rock with a twist of alt-country
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The lyric ‘a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll’ could have been written about emerging Edmonton, Alberta-based singer-songwriter Dahlia Wakefield. Born in Cebu City, the Philippines, Dahlia moved to Canada as an infant. Like many artists from humble beginnings, Dahlia was raised in the small rural town of Maidstone, SK. She left when rock ‘n’ roll and bright lights of the big city beckoned, heading westward to the border city Lloydminster where she kick-started her music career, fronting several music projects – live and in the studio.
Armed with fierce determination, a love of music, a whole lot of talent and a look as exotic as the flower she was named after, she moved to Edmonton a few years later; the start of a great future lay in front of her. Formal training at Grant MacEwan College’s Music Program, where she majored in Vocal Performance, sharpened Dahlia’s songwriting skills, while belting it out in a pop/rock cover band by night honed her live chops. In 1999, she graduated with Distinction, received one scholarship and one award, and was featured on the school’s CD entitled “Music From Within”, and has since then graced the stage with many well-established musicians, including Edmonton’s cover band, The X-Factor. Dahlia released a 4-song self-titled EP in 2000, a full-length release “Close to Home” in 2003, and her second full-length CD “Down This Road” in September 2006.
Recorded in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at Beta Sound Recorders and Blackfoot South Music and produced by Greg Johnston (who got a cut on ‘Canadian Idol’ Ryan Malcolm’s CD and runner up Billy Klippert’s CDs) and Lyle Molzan (drummer/percussionist for Jann Arden), Dahlia’s first full-length album “Close To Home” features listener-friendly material, which has been described as catchy power pop rock with a hint of country. She keeps her adult lyrics honest, straightforward and appropriate to her music; they are well written and speak of the intricacies of life and love. In possession of a supple voice capable of interesting complexity, Dahlia’s unique singing spans from angelic and sensitive one moment to raunchy and gutsy the next. As well as this wonderful set of pipes, she also has an uncanny ability to capture an emotion, a mood, an essence, a sentiment, and put it to her music. This album is chock-full of slickly penned songs that hit ‘close to home’, with contagious melodies that are apt to stick in your head and keep you humming for hours.
Key tracks to take note of include the following songs: Dahlia’s single “I”, which placed as a finalist in the 2003 Windrift Music Songwriting Competition and has been included on the 2004 Edmonton Independent Music Expo Compilation CD; the song “Die For You”, which received an Honorable Mention in her placement as a finalist in the 2003 International Songwriting Competition out of 11,000 entries; and “I Believe”, which has placed as both winner and finalist in various songwriting contests in 2001 and 2000, also resulting in a track on a compilation CD called “Faces in the Crowd”. These accolades are truly a testament to her exemplary songwriting ability. She has recently signed with music library “Musikvergnuegen aka Beyond” from Hollywood and is looking forward to the future.
With full length albums “Close to Home” and “Down This Road released on her independent label 'Squirrelly Gir Music' and several accolades at her feet, Dahlia Wakefield is a rising star set to shine bright and long.
reviews
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A Nice Recording
author: Amy Lotsberg - Collected SoundsHow refreshing to hear a CD where the first song is a nice sweet happy love song. Now I have nothing against bitter love songs, I actually like them quite a lot. But it's just really nice to occasionally hear someone who's not bitching about something. "Let's Talk about Love" is one of these happy love songs just about how amazing it is to find someone that makes you giddy (even if that kind of thing rarely lasts forever). Now the rest of the CD has its share of sad love songs, which are also very nice. "Die for You" has some really nice guitar parts, it's really pretty. "Slipping Away" is the best one I think. I like the arrangement. When listening to this one, be sure to let it play for the hidden track. Wakefield clears her throat and begins to sing a song that is at once amusing and alarming and that's all I'm going to say about that. You've got to get the CD to see what I mean. It's great. I love it. Worth the price of the CD alone. Plus it really shows her voice. Dahlia Wakefield has a lovely voice and her songs are well crafted. This is a nice recording.
Fans of power pop and great singing will enjoy “Close to Home”.
author: Stacey Board - Muses Muse.comI get really mad at the music industry when I hear artists like Dahlia Wakefield. Here’s why. Wakefield is singing and writing music in the same danceable pop genre as, oh lets pick on Britney. Dahlia has better vocal chops. Dahlia is also an attractive woman. Dahlia writes her own material, with cowriting help on two of the 10 songs on this CD. The songs are as hooky, danceable and polished as any pop songs on the radio out there now. In fact, if you put “Close to Home” in your CD player and closed your eyes, the only difference you would find between this and most of the latest generic female pop records is that you would probably like this one better. What Britney is selling these days sure isn’t singing and has never been songwriting. Wakefield is a songwriter with a strong sense of groove and powerful singing chops. Call me crazy, but I prefer that any day. Fans of power pop and great singing will enjoy “Close to Home”.
Nashville denizens would swoon if they heard this music
author: Jennifer Layton - Indie-Music.comThis would sound right at home on country rock radio. Dahlia Wakefield is a bit of Faith Hill on the high notes, a bit of Cher on the low notes, and a lot of sensuality through the whole CD. Her voice is twangy, yet seductive and smooth. It can sound delicate over the quiet strumming of an acoustic guitar. It growls when electric guitars roll in. Wakefield managed to catch me off guard with a bit of insight here and there, especially when I thought I already knew where the song was going. The awkwardly-titled yet self-esteem building “I” is a good example: I’m independent, I’m introspective, I am sensitive And I’m always changing my mind I’m superstitious, a little mysterious, yes I am serious I’m always changing ... Nashville denizens would swoon if they heard this music. Next go ‘round, if she pushes the envelope with her songwriting a bit, they may just come beating down her door.
The AC acronym for Adult Contemporary really stands for Almost Country
author: Chuck Eddy - eMusicBorn in the Philippines, now based in Alberta, Wakefield seasons her Europop/dance-rock country with an Alanis/Shakira vibrato and Abba touches. From her webpage: "The AC acronym for Adult Contemporary really stands for Almost Country." Dahlia's drummer knows his stuff, and the hidden acoustic song "Happy Here With Me" is completely nuts and hilarious: She opens clearing her throat, then threatens to break some guy's knees, cast a spell with her love potion, drug him intravenously, duct-tape his lips and "not stop the Viagra" until he'll live with her happily ever after, even though "I know you're trying to out-wit me."
A Collection of Pop and Rock Gems
author: Dan BriseboisDahlia Wakefield is easily one of the best kept secrets that's going to take Canadian music to new heights. Born in the Philippines, she emigrated to Canada when still an infant. After moving from rural Saskatchewan to earn a music degree in Edmonton, she quickly made a mark on campus with her gentle, yet powerful vocal prowess, appearing on a Grant McEwan compilation disc. She's released her debut CD, CLOSE TO HOME. This is finely crafted and honestly hard to believe it's from someone still wet behind the ears on this level, though she's been performing live since the age of 5. The lead track "Let's Talk About Love" gives a definite premonition of what's to come, both on the disc and in this artist's future. Sultry vocals and tantalizing arrangements are prevalent throughout the track, as well as the album in general. Other straightout rockers include "I", "Heaven Knows" and "Slipping Away". They not only round out Dahlia's obvious talents, the guitar riffs are the glue holding the puzzle in place. Dahlia taps into her soul with the accoustically-driven "You're Coming Home", "I Believe" and the sombrefully powerful "Die For You". Showcasing her country influences, their slick pop edge all give good representation of Dahlia's subtle and melodic undertones, and her incredible diversity. CLOSE TO HOME is rounded out with everything EXCEPT 'filler'. "Honestly", "Someday" and "Meet Again Someday" give the album its full body, giving the listener a hint of Dahlia's true musical diversity. But it's the quirky impromptu jam session "Happy Here With Me" that really captures her in her personal true essence. Guitar in hand, she lulls you with the story of an obsessed lover, bondage, voodoo, duct tape and viagara. What's not to love? This collection of pop and rock gems is just one of those CD's that will quite naturally make its way into your regular rotation. There is absolutely not even a single bad track on CLOSE TO HOME. Every song stands on its own, with its own unique charm and each a potential hit. Dahlia wrote or collaborated on all 10 tracks, displaying superb depth in her writing. The production from her bandmates Greg and Lyle is top notch, making you wonder why this artist hasn't been picked up by a major label ... yet.