PK Dwyer is a songwriter, creative force, and folk & blues busker extraordinaire. PK is also a living piece of music history, much of it connected to the Seattle area and Pacific Northwest with the distinction of being recognized as the first to busk at the Pike Place Market in 1972 [forming and fronting the street bands Felix & the Freelicks and PK Dwyer & the Live Wires]. He is also the founder of the influential proto-punk band The Jitters and creator of the musical personas George Michael Jackson, Hollywood Dick Doll, and Pioneer Square Jim.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with PK about the music, the technology, the challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I am currently based in the Seattle [Washington] area and I’ve spent more years of my life in the Pacific Northwest than anywhere else but I’ve definitely bounced around some. I’m originally from Mill Valley, California and my Dad and I moved to Seattle when I was a teenager. In the life of my music career I have lived in Paris, New York City at 2 different points in time, Los Angeles — also 2 different time periods — Black Mountain, North Carolina and Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’ve loved every place I have lived for different reasons and each was a distinct period of adventure and creativity in my life. Somehow though I always end of coming back to Seattle — I don’t know, it’s like the waters of the Puget Sound are in my blood.
I always give a wry chuckle when someone asks me to describe my music or musical style. I’ve been writing and performing in different variations since the 1970s [I’m an Old!] and no matter what I’ve done I’ve just never fit into a neat little genre or box — I’ve always been just a little outside the norm and that has both helped me and hurt me as far as the “music business” goes. I’ve been performing as a solo acoustic artist for about the past 20 years or so. The material would be described by anyone as Folk and Blues but it certainly has my own twist on it. I’m a very high energy performer and definitely have my own distinct style. Although it’s often viewed as a derogatory term, I would have to say that ultimately I’m a Singer-Songwriter. I write and perform all my own material exclusively. I started performing as a solo acoustic artist in 2002 and since then I’ve heard what I do described as Acoustic Jump Blues and cosmic american blues as well as straight up folk & blues. The material I’ve been performing most recently has been referred to as Vintage Folk and Reminiscent of the old Folkways recordings.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Of course I’ve been performing for so long now my musical journey has taken many twists and turns. My mother was a very talented and musical person and she taught me to sing harmony and play guitar at 4 -5 years old. And, like so many artists my age, I was very influenced and inspired by Elvis and The Beatles coming on the scene — and then of course by Bob Dylan. Dave Van Ronk and Steve Earle have also heavily influenced me. Writing songs and performing them is my form of self expression. It’s how I communicate with the world. What motivates me? I keep writing songs and I believe I keep writing better and better ones. I have to put them out into the world. I don’t know if you would call it motivation — it’s more like I am compelled. Writing songs and then sharing them with the masses is just something I have to do. I can’t imagine life any other way.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
My newest release — Music To Dance To — is pretty much a complete departure compared to anything I have released previously. About 5 years ago I acquired an autoharp and playing the autoharp has become a huge part of my musical life — I just love playing it. And so 6 of the songs on this new album are just me and the autoharp. What I’m known for is performing with guitar and harmonica and having a what would be described as a very raucous sound. The autoharp is obviously a much softer sounding instrument so — while still being me and my own style — it gives the songs a softer, more traditional folk feel. Sometimes people have a tendency to look down on the autoharp but it is really a special instrument and I’m happy to bring it some attention and put my own stamp on it. The autoharp has inspired me to write and present different material than my usual and allowed me to rework some older songs from my catalogue. It’s been very rewarding.
Music To Dance To also features 3 songs with me playing slide guitar. Playing slide isn’t something that came very naturally to me and I’ve really worked on it. Slide playing is such a rich and expressive sound. I have been writing and performing more and more slide songs and it’s been very gratifying. A real thrill!
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
[OK, this question has me laughing a bit just because of how I am]
I’ll start off by saying that I think one of the great things about technology is how it has changed the recording process for the better and the easier. It’s truly a different world from the first time when I recorded which was in the mid 1970s. That being said the ease of the process adds to the over saturation aspect you mention. There are just SO many people out there making music and putting it out there these days it’s easy to get lost in the vast sea of material that’s available now.
The challenges for me are —
#1 I’m truly an oddball in that I don’t use any social media platforms — and yeah, I know it’s a self imposed thing and I know it really affects getting attention on my music and potential opportunities because that’s the reality of how things work now. But I just can’t bring myself to participate. I find the whole enterprise very distasteful and false. I’d rather interact with people in real situations. So there’s that.
#2 I make my living as a Busker — street performer — and as we move ever forward to a cashless society things have really changed. Over the last 5 years or so the cost of living has skyrocketed and I’d say the amount of tips I make on the daily has gone down about 40%. I can accept tips electronically but that doesn’t seem to have taken off. I would actually say a lot of talented Buskers are suffering the effects of this — it’s certainly not just me. All in all though it’s a joy to be able to go out and perform every day and see people’s honest reactions to my music. That’s really what it’s all about.
What was the last song you listened to?
It’s About Blood by Steve Earle
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Well I think it’s really cool that there has been this resurgence for the love of Vinyl records but for some reason I’m partial to Cd’s.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Oh I know it’s an uncool thing to admit but I still like to buy the physical compact discs! But of the different music platforms I would have to say Bandcamp for sure. It’s very user friendly and is definitely more supportive of the Artists.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
My neat old skool website: https://pkdwyer.com/ There’s always up to date info on what is going on and ways to get in contact with me. The Works & Music page has a discography and links to listen, stream or buy.
Anything else before we sign off?
Hahaha. Haven’t I gone on enough?
