Music
Press
[Bighearted] bares some resemblance to the quirky folk of Scott Merritt, as well as somber, soulful songs derived from the old world.
~Vish Khanna - Echo Weekly
The Toronto-based trio Elliot Brood held their CD release party for Ambassador, a full-length, 12 track disc, last Thursday night at Club Vinyl. Opening for them was Scott Deneau and his band, and what an opening it was. The night also featured CD release party for Deneau's six-song EP Bighearted; he started off his set solo, on the mandolin. After a few melodic, soulful songs, showcasing his deep, sleepy smooth voice, his band members joined him on stage.
Deneau's smooth strumming of the acoustic guitar was meshed with occasional electric guitar and bass, as well as a scattering of light drumming and violin. The overall effect for me, a first time Deneau attendee, was quite impressive. He finished his set with "Barcelona", the second track on Bighearted and its intensity was overwhelming. As a CD release party, I must say mission accomplished for Deneau, because Bighearted will be on repeat in my CD player for some time.
~Jenny Felice - Ontarian, University of Guelph
Scott Deneau rocked. Clearly much loved and very personable on stage, this memorable musician has many worshippers...his hugely energetic style and passion shine on stage.
~Andrea Schmidt - Imprint, University of Waterloo
He can still hold his own with any songwriter in Canada.
~ Jason Schneider, Indie Music Scene
- The Record, Kitchener ON
In a world of singer-songwriters Deneau proves to be something special, which he literally gives in his performance of "Everything". Whispers of piano and Deneau's well-controlled raw vocals pierce through the silence, listeners are taken through a personal journey of discovering the many facets of a man's desire to do and be all he can be. However, when listening to such tracks as "Compass", the lyrics and structure felt amateur compared to the impact of "Everything". Deneau, with this EP, needs to be sure not to lose sight of his own potential as a songwriter. "Barcelona" does well to carry on the theme of wanting to do more with life, and it's excellent in how it raptures our attention for issues Deneau brings up, "some day we'll let the guard down, in a war zone, for a language of change". Deneau has the ability to break out on a broad scale like Ben Harper and Jack Johnson, all he needs is the right amount of "Everything" to make a homerun on an LP.
Writer: Lindsay Whitfield
http://www.soulshine.ca/reviews/albumReview.php?arid=447
- Soulshine: Canada's Essential Guide to New music
Discography
DISCOGRAPHY:
• Bighearted (2005)
• Transition Sessions (2003)
• Satellite (1998)
• Autumn Moon (1992, reissued 1993)
COMPILATIONS:
• World Wide Short Film Festival Soundtrack Compilation
• Bluebird Events (2002)
• Electrolux: 18 Smash Hits (1995)
• Popular Minority Productions Compilation (1994)
• Breeding Ground Volume 1 (1993)
Photos
Bio
Scott Deneau is a man torn between the call of the road and the addictive allure of a sensible life with house, car and kids. His music is his cryptic diary. Songs emerge as character sketches, glimpses into the realities of ordinary people making their way through the world. The details of dropping off coffee for a lover, dreaming of Barcelona, or smoking a cigarette on the empty streets of Taegu unearth interior landscapes of discoveries and disappointments.
Between his independent full-length release of Autumn Moon and Bighearted, Scott Deneau was forced to step away from music when a serious car accident left him with a broken hand. Taking the opportunity to teach abroad in Korea, he returned a few years later with Satellite, an album that fuses Korean sensibilities with folk rock.
Bighearted is a six song EP produced by Evan Gordon (Constantines, Nathan Lawr) and mixed with the assistance of Scott Merritt. Rooted in folk, the songs surge with elements of pop, gospel, and roots. The EP opens with a stripped-down, piano-based Everything, but quickly reveals itself to be a multi-textured exploration of sound. With the contributions of Geordie Gordon (The Barmitzvah Brothers), Rebecca Simpson and Matt Teeter, the arrangements are approached at curious angles that pull at the sounds, teasing out the space between harmony and dissonance.
Live, Scott's craftsmanship as guitar player and songwriter are animated by his mischievous delight for storytelling. He has opened for or shared the stage with many music makers including: John Gorka, Ian Tamblyn, Nathan Coles, Spirit of the West, Shannon Lyon, Prairie Oyster, Karyn Ellis, Skydiggers, and Mary Anne Epp.
Recently awarded top honours at Waterloo Region’s Songwriterfest, Scott Deneau and band are currently working on an album of story songs
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