The Dryland Band

Matt Landry & the Dryland Band is the evolution of the acoustic singer/songwriter genre. What sets the Dryland Band apart is a twist on traditional instrumentation. Imagine the intimacy of a campfire ballad fused with tribal percussion, sax, violin and acoustic guitars…now turn it up! This instrumentation provides a rich sonic palette that conjures subtle elements of many styles. The result is a fresh new sound. Matt Landry. (Lead singer and guitar) If you haven’t already heard the name -after hearing him sing you won’t forget it. Although he has no formal training, Matt’s years of touring and recording have honed his skills both as a vocalist and front man. Landry’s early work relied on his guitar and voice alone; playing mainly smaller venues. Later, his first full band project ‘Cheaper than Rent’ allowed him to put down the guitar and own the stage as a front man. He spent 8 years as the front man for the band Tupelo Honey. The band won a $5000 national songwriting contest in 2005 and has released three EP’s. Their video for ‘Morphine’ won Best Music Video of 2008, and ‘Not Alone’ was also nominated for Best Video at the prestigious Leo Awards. They also opened for numerous headlining acts such as Bon Jovi, Default, Theory of a Deadman, Bif Naked, Three Days Grace, Thornley, The Trews, Billy Talent, and Sam Roberts. John Calverley. (Violin) (B.Mus) is a unique voice among modern violin players; performing and composing music that crosses musical genres and brings the violin into unlikely sonic spaces. He has composed and arranged music for ethnic dance and music festivals, and been commissioned to write and perform for modern dance, fusion productions and art shows. Some highlights include: The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies ‘Rhythms of the Fall’ medley, the Canada Day Millennium Celebration on Parliament Hill (2000), Alberta Spirit: Party of the Century Centennial Celebrations (2005) all of which were live televised performances. He can be heard on THE BILLS album ‘All Day Every Day’ which received the 2003 Western Canadian Music Award for ‘Outstanding Roots Release’, and was also nominated for a Juno Award. John can also be heard on Priscilla Morin’s album ‘Waiting for You’, which won “Best Country Album” at the 2000 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. He has been involved at the national level in ‘Old Tyme’ fiddling, and placed among the top ten in 2000 and 2005 when invited to compete at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship at Nepean, Ontario. John has performed with Alfie Zappacosta, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Strathcona String Quartet, Mercury Opera, Vinok Worldance (ethnic folk), AUDio SQUADron (avant-garde), Bullies of Basin St. (jazz), the Moksha Ensemble (world fusion), and many other pop, rock and folk acts. www.johncalverley.com Sylvain ‘Sylly’ Arseneau. (Saxophone) Sylvain comes from a small village in New Brunswick. Sylly’s satin sax playing lends the smoky jazz club vibe to the band. His dedication to his craft is evident in his success in the Moncton University music program. He has played with guitarist JP Leblanc with whom he toured and played blues festivals across Atlantic Canada. Not to be separated from his brother Lex, he ended up in Edmonton where he hooked up with the Dryland Band and Cody Nouta’s Funeral. The chemistry was immediate. Cody Nouta. (Guitar) Cody has grown into one of the busiest guitarist/vocalist/recording artist in Edmonton. For the last 13 years he has shared his talents in rock, punk, heavy metal, jazz and country bands. His list of bands include: The Nine Millimeter Love Songs, The Casanova Playboys, Nitrous Oxide, Four Blocks Walkin', Civilian, Cody Nouta's Funeral, and Self Evolution to name a few. Cody has also played or toured with: The Kings of Leon, The Bravery, Stabilo, Matthew Good, Gavin Rossdale, and was at Coachella 2006. Check him out at myspace or YouTube. Also, look for The Casanova Playboys CD titled ‘Ladies and Gentleman’. Alain ‘Lex’ Arseneau. Alain comes from a small village in New Brunswick (yes the same one as Sylly) and has been slap’n the skins for some time. Whether playing djembe, congas or bongos, Lex always bring the house down with his deep understanding of silence and groove. Lex is in demand as a session player and for live shows. He also performs regularly with Cody Nouta’s Funeral, and continues work on his own compositions.