About Dylan
Dylan McKinstry is a young, up-and-coming finger-style guitarist from Northfield, Minnesota.
At age 17, he holds a very impressive repertoire, including many of the most complex and well composed works of Michael Hedges, Don Ross, Tommy Emmanuel and Leo Kottke. Not only are his style and ability extraordinary for his age, but his song writing is distinguished, and comparable to that of the masters. He has incorporated the melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Jazz, Funk, Brazilian, Indian and Folk music into his songs, and he also studies and utilizes syncopation and counterpoint from Baroque classical music.
Dylan was raised in a very musical family, and at a young age developed the groove, melody, and delicacy of a pro. He was fascinated by ethnic world music and became consumed with drumming, learning the best licks on dozens of traditional hand drums from esteemed players like Sowah Mensah and Marc Anderson. He did his first studio track at age 8, learning quickly what it meant to be “behind the beat,” and developed a great pocket feel. After a brief encounter with electric as the lead guitarist of a Metal band, Death in Holy Order, Dylan found his love for the acoustic, utilizing all he had learned about groove to develop a percussive element in his playing that could only come from the hand drums, and could only truly be executed on an acoustic guitar.
Dylan, aside from working to become one of the greats, is also striving to create a musical style unlike any heard from a solo acoustic guitarist. His music will continue to capture audiences of all ages and musical interests. He will be releasing his first solo album this summer.