Melanie Dekker - a voice like chocolate.

A Canadian roots music sensation. Singer-songwriter, Melanie Dekker, calls Deep Cove, BC, Canada home. With a music diploma (Capilano University Jazz&Pop Program) in hand, she started making a name for herself in the A-Country clubs in Western Canada, and before long Melanie’s warm vocal style and world-class strumming earned her radio hits in Canada and thousands of fans around the world. She now tours all over North America & Europe with over 100 concerts yearly.

Her fans experience a sense of connection with her voice, saying it is like ‘delicious chocolate’ and her self-penned songs weave between emotion and sensibilities, each at a different pace and in a different place.

She has 11 albums to her name and counting. Lately, she has been busy creating new music with a Christmas album ‘The New Old fashioned Way’ released in 2020, and roaring 20’s album called ‘Barnstormer, Take one. Just before the pandemic Dekker had started touring her ‘Secret Spot’ in 2018. This was created with funding from Creative BC & the gov’t of British Columbia. In the same year the co-producer, Sheldon Zaharko was a named WCMA Producer & Audio Engineer of the year.

What is Ms. Dekker’s favourite collections of songs? “It is the 2015 Release of ‘Lekker Eh’ which is a collection of live recordings from a few combined European concerts and features guitarist David Sinclair. “It wasn’t intended to be an album, but I really liked how we sounded on those live show recordings!” Many of these songs are from her 2013 release “Distant Star” which has sold 12,000 copies. “Distant Star” is a subtly produced album (Producer: Allan Rodger) which takes Melanie’s country influenced voice and surrounds it with folk-pop sounds; it’s a truly beautiful addition to her elaborate discography. Her previous 2011 album “Here & Now” (Producer: John Maclean @ The Factory, Vancouver) is more pop influenced and was mostly inspired by Ekhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now. Vancouver is home but Sonoma, California was calling back in 2007 and Melanie’s “Revealed” was born there (Co-produced by David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman, Joan Baez, Joe Jackson)).

Like these artists, Melanie has a special tangible emotive flare and she will move you and laugh with you as her songs tug on your heart.

Melanie has opened for superstars Diana Krall, Bryan Adams, Faith Hill, and for comedian Russell Peters, as well as for President William J. Clinton. She’s made a string of popular YouTube videos which include her music synched to her plunge at the Vancouver’s Polar Bear Swim, her shows at the 2010 Olympics, her own Wisdom tooth removal, her Christmas concerts in Afghanistan, and a romantic run-in with a mannequin (most of these co-produced with artist Len Rooney).

Among various song writing awards, Melanie has been given a Medal of Honour by the Chief of Defence Staff for Canada for her song Fall In (Wounded Soldier) and is named an Ambassador for the Kinder Hospiz in Germany for her donated sold-out concerts.

Current world events have put a hold on touring for a while but as the world opens up again, Melanie is looking forward to seeing her fans and treating them once more to a feel-good concert and a ‘voice like chocolate’!

Banner Photo by Ulli Koebe.

Perfomances with:

  • Diana Krall
  • Bryan Adams
  • Faith Hill
  • Ivan Neville and the Neville All Star Band
  • Barney Bentall
  • Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo)
  • Terry Jacks
  • Jan Akkerman
  • Russell Peters
  • Jeremy Fisher
  • John Mann (Spirit of the West)
  • Robbin Thompson
  • Chaka Khan
  • Shari Ulrich
  • Bob Newhart
  • Bif Naked
  • David Gogo
  • Bill Henderson
  • Ryan Dahl (Limblifter)
  • Steps
  • April Wine
  • Powder Blues
  • John Bottomley
  • SØS Fenger
  • Lars H.U.G.
  • San Fran Tech Awards with Les Paul & Steve Miller
  • Making it Big TV series
  • Edwin McCain
  • She Stole My Beer

Personal

Sign: Gemini
Favourite films: Across the Universe, Moulin Rouge, Million Dollar Baby, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, Forrest Gump, Life is Beautiful, Inside Llewyn Davis, Derek (tv series), Wild Tales
Spare time: Mostly spent outdoors
Sports I like: Tennis, In-line skating, running, hiking, snow-shoeing, skiing
Hates it when: There’s a parking ticket
Loves it when: There is a strong wind
Favourite Books: Desert Flower, City of Thieves, The Kite Runner, The Power of Now, Anti-Cancer, The Last Lecture, Love Signs, Banjo for dummies
Loves: To surprise someone & be surprised
Hates: The word ‘should’
Favourite foods: Sushi, Red Wine, dark chocolate, and almost anything green
Favourite comedians: George Carlin, Louis C.K., Russell Peters, John Cleese, Viktor Borge
Favourite things to do in Vancouver: Run the Seawall, Go to Theatre Sports, Be on a boat in Indian Arm