Brunch with Zach Kleisinger at Dockside Restaurant

Brunch is a favourite past time shared by many and should be an extraordinary experience, one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for brunch. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places and, at the same time, I will be joined by a notable personality who may be a Film Producer or Director, Musician, Arts Festival Director, Actor or other well-known individual for Brunch at restaurants in and around Vancouver.

Zach Kleisinger

For my Seventy Fourth brunch in this series, I was joined by Zach Kleisinger who is a musician over brunch at Dockside Restaurant in Vancouver.

Zach Kleisinger was born and raised in a small town in Saskatchewan, after making it big on the scene back in Saskatoon, he moved to Vancouver a few years ago where he resides currently.

His second EP, entitled “I Hope Its Calm, Then”, was released on March 30th of 2018, and showcases a delicately refined sound by the young Canadian. The EP began in Montreal when the songwriter was closing out a cross-Canada tour. The album is raw, honest, and asks the listener to reflect on how temporary life is.

After the release of his 2018 EP Zach embarked on two tours of Canada, pulling audiences into the vulnerability of his performances. Recently, he has spent time in the studio, and is prepared to release new music in 2019.

You can follow Zach Kleisinger on Instagram @zachkleisinger

Did you always want to be a guitarist?

Not really, I played sports until I was 12. Back then I wanted to be a hockey player, around 14/15 after I started playing music, sports fell away and the guitar was what I wanted to pursue.

What style of music do you sing and perform?

The genre is vague, singer/songwriter or folk

What is your instrument of choice?

Archtop 1930’s guitar (I have been financing it for the past year, previously played on an electric guitar)

What is your song “I Don’t Mind” about?

Being hit by infatuation and love, feeling like your life was structured and how it can change.

Do you come from a musical family?

Kind of, my dad’s dad was a musician and he played the saxophone in a band in Regina. My dad was a drummer and his side of the family has a lot of musicians. My brother has drummed a little bit.

Are there any musicians who have influenced your musical career? If so who?

Bob Dylan

Leonard Cohen

Both of them had a huge musical impact on me. Bob made me know what music was and can do which made me realize how much you can say in your songs an incredible different way.

What type of music did you listen to growing up?

My mom playing Neil Diamond, Joe Cocker and Johnny Cash.

My dad listed to the Rolling Stones, The Beatles and the Dave Mathews Band.

Who are your top 5 favourite musicians currently?

Hiss Golden Messenger
The Dead Tongues
Jeffrey Martin
Jason Isbell
Jim Bryson

If you could tell me about 3 of your favourite concerts of all time that you have attended which ones would those be?

Bob Dylan in Lloydminster

Leonard Cohen concert in Saskatoon

Leif Vollebekk at the Imperial in 2018

What 3 foods do you like?

Pizza (made from scratch at home)
My moms lasagna
Mussels

What are your favourite restaurants in the Vancouver area?

Harambe on Commercial Drive

Havana

Eggs Benedict

Steel Cut Oats

Avocado Toast

Zach had the Eggs Benedict while Richard had the Steel Cut Oats and the Avocado Toast along with a great window view out over the marina and False Creek.

What do you want your listeners to learn from listening to your music?

To be more open with themselves, the problems within themselves that they aren’t listening too. A lot of what I write is reflective to my life, so people know what is going on around them.

What do you do in your off time?

Reading a book

Visit antique shops and thrift shops

Where is your favourite spot that you have performed?

Edmonton

La Verre Bouteille in Montreal

Where was your most recent musical trip?

In October 2018 I did 8 shows between Vancouver and Saskatoon and then flew to Montreal and did 6 shows (Montreal, Victoriaville, Drumonville and other spots).

Do you book your own Gigs?

Yes, I book all the places I want to perform and the tours.

Who are your mentors?