DWAYNE GRETZKY – “YOU CAN CALL ME AL”
INDEPENDENT
For over a decade, Dwayne Gretzky has been igniting packed venues across Canada with joyfully explosive live performances that celebrate the greatest songs of the last 50 years. Now, the beloved Toronto-based band is bringing that spirit to the screen with Dwayne’s World, a new monthly live cover video series on YouTube.
After 14 years, 1000+ gigs, and a repertoire spanning hundreds of songs, the band is turning their attention to the digital space in hopes of expanding their audience beyond their Southern Ontario stronghold.
The series is filmed inside a lovingly constructed DIY set that looks like the basement of your coolest friend’s older brother – all 70s wood paneling, vintage flair, and shag carpet charm. But in true Dwayne fashion, it’s not a basement at all: it’s the second floor of a warehouse in Toronto’s industrial west end, which the band has called home since 2019.
Last fall, when a rent spike threatened to push them out, the band doubled down instead – hand-cutting, staining, and installing the wall paneling themselves. “The set has rejuvenated the space and given it more purpose,” they say. “It fits what we’re doing perfectly – celebrating iconic songs from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s with our own spin.”
And it’s not just about sounding good – it’s about feeling good. The Dwayne’s World series captures the same contagious joy that defines their live shows.
The performances are filmed and edited by Thom Varey, with camera support from Brittany Farhat and Matt Wong, and live audio recording by Nathan Vanderweilen. The tracks are mixed by the band’s own Ian Docherty, one of their two guitarists. Every video is performed live, with no overdubs, and – staying true to their no-iPad policy – entirely from memory. “It’s more fun and freeing that way,” they explain. “We put in the work so we can perform without a safety net.”
ARTIST QUOTE
“We’ve always thought about doing something like this, but now felt like the right moment. Once we had the idea of transforming our rehearsal space into Dwayne’s World, it just unlocked everything. Songs are magical, transportive things. Whether it’s a specific memory or just a broader wave of shared nostalgia, we’re always chasing that feeling and bringing people along for the ride.
Even without an audience, playing together in that room always feels purposeful. We benefit from the music just as much as the people watching. It’s basically therapy.
We’ve only scratched the surface. There are so many great songs out there, and we want to celebrate as many as we can. Plus, we’re always open to suggestions. Drop a note in the comments and let us know what you want to hear!”
Dwayne Gretzky
[Single]
(Independent)
Release Date: August 5, 202
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