Great Lake Swimmers

Selected Press for Bodies and Minds “Tony Dekker takes acoustics very seriously. His haunting, somber ballads emit an otherworldly quality, due in no small part to the natural environment in which they’re captured … Natural reverb and folkie arrangements complement Dekker’s soft voice perfectly” – Rob Bolton, Exclaim! BODIES AND MINDS Rating: NNNN – “If there were justice in this world, Tony Dekker’s hauntingly clear tenor would be worshipped by legions of acolytes who’d put the combined fan bases of Thom Yorke and Damien Rice to shame. Everything the Great Lake Swimmers mainman sings sounds like the sweet mantra of

Selected Press for Great Lake Swimmers’ Self-Titled “Dekker squares the circle between Nick Drake, early Neil Young and Will Oldham” **** Uncut “Beautiful bittersweet, drifting, late summer melancholia” **** Mojo “Stark, yet appealing. This is a truly special record” ***** Classic Rock “Great Lake Swimmers make wonderfully understated, heart-wrenching music. Led by songwriter-vocalist Tony Dekker, their haunting sound finds its roots in vintage folk and alt-country colourings, shaped by accordion and piano, lap steel and acoustic guitar, with a voice that seems to come from the walls. This self-titled debut album, engineered by Victor Szabo, was recorded over several months

“A wonderful atmosphere – minimalist well done” – New York Times “Ambient Zen Americana” – Mojo Magazine “Spiritual folk of the most affecting variety” – Stylus “Tony Dekker takes acoustics very seriously. His haunting, somber ballads emit an otherworldly quality, due in no small part to the natural environment in which they’re captured ƒ Natural reverb and folkie arrangements complement Dekker’s soft voice perfectly” – Rob Bolton, Exclaim! “Just when it seems like it can’t possible get more beautiful, the next song sets the bar even higher and it becomes an overload of pure awesome. Ongiara is slow and spare,

(weewerk) presents a unique and limited double 7″ split release by Great Lake Swimmers, along with their Holland buddies, audiotransparent. It contains two slices of 7″ vinyl in a beautiful handmade triple-gatefold sleeve. Made with lots of tender love and care, this special release makes the perfect gift item for a loved one or for yourself. To bare witness to the assembly process watch this. Second 7″ Features : Side A: audiotransparent – You Are A Movie Side B: Great Lake Swimmers – Send Me A Letter (recorded for the Friends Of Bellwoods Part II benefit compilation for Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank.) Second 7″

A Documentary Film by Greg Kohs  Original Score by T.Dekker/Great Lake Swimmers  Everyone has their favorite NEIL DIAMOND song and so does TONY DEKKER of the GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS. Dekker wrote an original music score for the powerful and moving documentary, SONG SUNG BLUE. Over 8 years in the making, Song Sung Blue tells the alternately inspiring and tragic love story of LIGHTNING & THUNDER, a homegrown MILWAUKEE husband & wife singing duo that pay tribute to the music of NEIL DIAMOND.  Known for his dreamy and heartfelt vocals, DEKKER wrote and performed over 30 minutes of music for the