Olliver brings his guitar to Culture Days

Culture Days is a good time to get out and enjoy a bit more of what the community has to offer. Danny Olliver, a Regina-based folk artist, will be at the historic Land Titles building on September 30 for a free concert, part of the Yorkton Arts Council’s Culture Days programming.

Olliver is excited to get into a new venue where he hasn’t played before – and, in fact, very few people have played before.

“It’s set up to be a little bit of a more intimate experience.”

Describing his music as guitar-heavy folk-pop, Olliver’s main interest began with the instrument itself, and grew out from there. Playing guitar and learning the instrument lead to songwriting and a career in music.

Olliver got his start with an old guitar that he saved from a dumpster when he was seven. He had been interested before, but the old guitar, which only had the three bottom strings, was the first guitar he learned. He played with that for a year before his parents helped him fix it up and get the complete complement of strings.

“I didn’t actually ever get lessons, I just played on this ratty guitar for a couple years.”

The 27 year old admits that it might have taken him longer to learn than most to learn the guitar because of his unique introduction to the instrument, but says it allowed him to develop his own style, though he admits that it can sometimes put him at a disadvantage to someone classically trained.

“When you’re self-taught you might have a little more of a creative edge, but sometimes it doesn’t sound right because, of course, it’s not musically correct.”

Olliver’s currently recording a new album with producer Russell Broom, who is best known for his work with Jann Arden. Olliver admits that this album is a bit different from his first two, because he isn’t working completely independently this time. The last sessions were recorded a week and a half ago, and now they’re doing post-production work.

Olliver says working with Broom has been a dream, especially as this time he has received funding and has had more time to work on it – three months of recording, as opposed to four days for his previous albums. 

“The other two I just worked really hard and funded myself.”

Olliver became involved with the Culture Days events thanks to a showing at an Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Council showcase event. Olliver is grateful for the opportunity, because it has allowed him to play in places he otherwise would not have played in.

“I think it’s important for everyone to never scoff at opportunity. It’s all about paying your dues, I look at it like going to school for four years to get your degree.”

The Culture Days performance will be at the Historic Land Titles Building, next to the Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre, on September 30 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.