Written interview with Blues guitarist Grant Lyle – And Now.
Jazz Blues European Union: – Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?
Grant Lyle: – Thank you for asking to speak with me.
I’m a guy making music Canada. I perform a mix of original music and songs by the Blues greats. I started playing guitar at the young age of 8. I convinced my parents to get me a guitar after pretending to play a tennis racket for a year. I played my first professional gig when I was 14.
What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
I’m based in Toronto, and Toronto is a very dynamic and diverse place right now. There are lot’s of different scenes happening here. I can literally hear music from all four corners of the globe. People seem to enjoy playing this city too. We have an incredible amount to choose from. It’s humbling
What performers have been your inspiration?
As a guitarist I’m obviously a fan of the great Blues players that we all admire. I could talk all day about that. However, I draw a lot of inspiration from the singers too, and I’ll often think, “How would Bobby Bland phrase that?”, and try to emulate that on the guitar. Even the sax and harmonica players. I get a lot of stuff that way. “What would Little Walter do here?”.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
Well, there’s more music being made than ever before, so it can be difficult to get peoples attention. There is also the donning of many hats as ever more opportunities become available to promote ones self.
What do you base your success on?
I’m hard core. What excites me most is growth as a musician. Always striving and sometimes achieving!
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
I tend to write primarily on my own, so I don’t often collaborate in that sense. But, when working with other musicians and artists I’ve always found that openness is key, and a willingness to let them contribute in their own way. I also never fail to learn when collaborating with others.
What was your latest musical release?
“And Now” is our current release. It’s out on the Seismic Blues Music label. I recorded it with Mike Sloski (who also plays drums) and Greg Kavanagh. There’s some great supporting players on this one too. Roly Platt, Al Cross, Rob Gusevs.
Do you have any news to share? Could you share the story behind your latest new CD Grant Lyle – And Now what inspired its creation?
And Now was written over a couple of years but really only came to fruition in the summer of 2024 when I brought these songs to Mike and asked him to contribute not just his parts, but to help guide the whole project along.
How does your latest album fit into your creative path? Is this a goal you wanted to achieve?
It had been a while since my previous release, and there was a bit of sense of starting from scratch. There were some health issues and then the lock downs and stuff, so I was just happy to be getting active again. I think I’m focused on a lot of the same themes that I always have. I look for the connections. I really just try, either through words or music, to find what it is that connects us to each other.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
Writing is still a bit of a mystery to me. If I look too closely at the process it disappears. Kind of like those squiggles that you can see out of the corner of your eye. Of course there’s just the craft, or practice of it, but the best results seem to come when I’m not trying too hard. I’ve got a good flow with the home studio, so I’ll sit down and ask, “Where should we go today?”
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
Nothing makes me happier than seeing people enjoy our songs and performances. I’m not aloof to that. At the same time, I like to feel that the material is interesting to me too. I’ve always enjoyed music that seems simple and appealing, but also has some depth to it too. I hope our audience feels the same way too.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
Thankfully I have help with the social media. Dee Blue at Seismic Blues Music has taken a lead role with my socials and promotion on multiple platforms. I find the whole process somewhat baffling. I’ve known some musicians who are quite comfortable with it, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. Obviously it’s a requisite now and something I need to get better at. But we’re out there, we’re not hiding.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
Knowing the music is having an impact on the audience. One time a guy came up to me after a set and his jaw was wired shut. He leaned in to tell me that our music was doing more for him than all the doctors and hospitals. That left an impression on me.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
My opinion on the subject doesn’t really matter. The consumer drives the business more directly than ever before. That could be a good thing.
Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
I’m a shy person. I’m even shy on social media. We do our best to let people know where we are and what we’re up to. We’re updating our content all the time and we’re on most of the platforms that people use these days. I believe the old fashioned method works too. Getting in front of people and making them feel good.
How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
Fans can also find us online at;
web: https://grantlyle.bandcamp.com/album/and-now
FB: https://www.facebook.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.
Apple Music: https://music.apple.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.
We’re available on all major streaming platforms.
We’re here in Toronto, come on by! I’d love to get over your way. We hope to have a new album out this year, and we’re starting to make some friends in Europe, so maybe that’ll happen soon.
By Olivia Peevas
