Despite a cross-country tour, a successful new album, and a video on heavy rotation at Much More Music, homegrown ska and reggae artist Daniel Wesley hasn't forgotten where he comes from.
Wesley is returning to his roots this weekend to perform back-to-back shows at the Commodore Ballroom, a gig he's especially looking forward to.
"There's nothing like a home crowd," he said.
"There's not a lot of venues like the Commodore at all. It's always a real pleasure to go there."
Especially considering that last year the Commodore set the stage for one of Wesley's greatest accomplishments: He became one of the first grass-roots artists to sell out the venue not just one, but two nights in a row.
"I don't take [success] for granted at all," he said. "I feel really lucky."
Born in White Rock and raised in Langley, Wesley's attraction to music began as a tot.
"I think it was kinda always in my blood," he said, adding he and his mother often sang together at home. "I remember from a very early age always singing in the bathtub ... music as a whole, it's just brought joy to my life."
Wesley's love of music followed him into junior high, and at age 15, he created his own band. He burst into the Canadian spotlight in 2007 with the catchy tune, "Ooo Ohh." His most recent album, Pilgrimage, hit stores last month and the same-titled debut single quickly hit the top 25 for alternative rock in Canada.
"We had a lot more time [for this album]," Wesley said. "We made it in five months. My other albums I've made in five days. I think the music is a lot better. It's a lot stronger of an album."
Tickets available at Tickemaster.
