Country artist Ryan “Skinny” Dyck is working on his next album, coming out this fall. It’s the Lethbridge steel guitar player’s third and he’s taking a completely new approach.
“I’m recording a lot of it at home and over a long period of time, a sort of chip-away approach, as opposed to the classic week in the studio,” he says.
Why make the change? “Poverty,” he says, in his classic deadpan, adding, “No, I mean obviously time and money matter but it was more that I didn’t really have a plan so the chip-away approach made a lot of sense. I can figure it out as I go a bit more.”
Fans will notice a new sound on this record.
“There’s been a little shift, a sonic shift,” he says. Country music is still the foundation but he says the vibe is slightly more eclectic.
It was partly inspired by his wife, musician Shaela Miller, who made a significant departure from her usual classic country sound in her last record, After the Masquerade, incorporating synthesizers and a more new wave leaning.
“I’ve been exploring,” he says, “whether that means a synthesizer here, different instrumentation there, stuff like that.”
To give an idea, his latest single, “Easygoing,” released in mid-June, is described as “a mid-tempo twang pulsator with muted shades of psychedelia.”
Dyck was busy as a session musician before launching his solo career with his Get To Know Lonesome LP in 2020. He started young. When he was 13 he was recruited to play drums in a band with buddies a bit older than him.
“Two years at that point of life is a big difference so they were mentors to me and I looked up to them. I think that’s what really got me hooked.”
He’s used the alias “Skinny Dyck” for years now.
“Growing up with the last name Dyck was sometimes difficult, people could make fun of it and at times I could allow that to bother me. Getting in on the joke was helpful. And then it just stuck.”
“I’m at my best when I don’t have to take myself too seriously,” he adds.
This approach has helped keep the process of recording an entertaining one.
“I don’t really know what I’m doing so it’s been fun for me, learning about recording, really getting into it.”
Dyck is setting off on tour at the end of the month, hitting Edmonton on July 28, Calgary, July 29 and Lethbridge, July 30. Check out his website for tickets and details.
“Easygoing,” Dyck’s latest single:
