About Gostayplay

"If you dig the 'old-school' of singer-songwriters who nimbly traversed genres but never lost their true identity and artistic vision - think Steve Goodman, Loudon Wainwright III, Leonard Cohen, Tim Buckley, and her holiness Joni Mitchell, then Gostayplay is your cup of meat. Dyer's wordplay, cinematic arrangements, and sinewy melodies are the stuff of a grand statement, yet the multi-instrumentalist (along with the help of some truly talented sidemen) pulls it off almost effortlessly. The goofy horn intro to Shybreeze evokes the mid-sixties quirkiness of the Kinks and Stones when no instrument or off-the-wall idea was considered out of bounds. A paean to Nick Drake (Nick) cobbles together lines from the late great bard in a manner that would fit neatly on Bryter Layter. Could the Beatles have used the rambling shuffle Center To Hold in Yellow Submarine to chase away the Blue Meanies? Probably! Just when you think pop music has become formula - along comes Gostayplay. -Tom Semioli, Amplifier Magazine 2008

"John Dyer's CD came across my desk and immediately caught my attention thanks for the beautiful graphic design of the front cover. As I began to play tracks from this record, I was as impressed with the music, as I was with the artwork. Dyer writes in a style closer to that of a poet than a pop star, yet his songs are memorable and quite melodic throughout. At times, the lyrics were far too deep for my usual pop sensibilities, but it inspired me to think and give meaning to the words as I listened for a second and third time. Check out John Dyer's Gostayplay and be ready for a moving experience. - Joseph A. Italiano/ Skope Magazine 2007

"Gostayplay is Dyer's best work yet. It has this amazingly personal 'jukebox of memories' feeling that rolls out a carefree carpet of familiarity. Somehow it incorporates everything that is good about life fondly remembered - friends, faces, music, nights at summer carnivals...cozy sunlit Sunday afternoons in the den. It's the kind of album you can hear best out of the corner of your eye - look away and the elusive beauty of suggestion floats right by." - Charles Jones, Synergen

"A passionate array of music that scores emotions and tugs at heartstrings, "Gostayplay" showcases John Dyer's passion for writing music. His songwriting is hot and has a certain flair to it that breathes life into each note that he strums. He plays guitar, sings, and plays the harmonica and adds a few whistles for good measure on the album. Great music that is as catchy as it is dynamic." J-Sin, Smother Magazine

"John Dyer is a multi-talented artist who has composed and performed for live dance and theater productions. In addition, John plays guitar, harmonica, piano and has no qualms about using sound effects and whistling. Dyer crafts colorful songs about life, memories and moments on his eleven-track CD. Dyer has an unusual yet compelling vocal style that revolves around words and the breaking up of syllables to give more meaning to his insightful lyrics. Gostayplay takes many interesting turns. I especially enjoyed 'Shybreeze', 'Center To Hold' and 'Gostayplay'. 'Shybreeze' starts off with a striking combination of horns and rhythms floating into breezy vocals and whistling. 'Center To Hold' captures the spirit of train movement in the rhythm enhanced by the harmonic and sound effects. John's storytelling about letting go has an animated, down home flavor. The title track was a creative mix of sleepy texture and tones, ending the CD on a good note. John Dyer's third release is diverse and dramatic!" - Laura Turner Lynch - Kweevak.com

"Upbeat folk artists are hard to come by, and John Dyer is the head of that unfound clan. Bluesy riffs that have a power pop jab, Dyer is more than just the traditional folk hippie feel, to transquote John Travolta 'he's like wax museum with a pulse'. Gostayplay, his third release is firm impression of what has become a critically acclaimed independent career. Having found most of his success in New York City and Dallas/ Fort Worth, Dyer is a writer on the cusp of sincere indie success. Besides writing for numerous theatre performances ("Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"), winning the ASCAPlus award three years in a row, his styles of melody and funk-folk bring an energy to the genre. "Shybreeze", and "Accord" exemplify his upbeat styles, while "Ocean of You", and lead track "Airtime" have a soft bubbly searing sound that involves harmonicas and brass alike. Keep an eye out for this guy, and still you'll not run into his clan, but truly, this seems to be one of those artists that could care less about stardom and more about making dignified rhythms. - Brian Rutherford. Music Emissions 2007

"Really cool. The first cut 'Airtime' grabs you and lets you know that John is the real deal. His vocal is engaging, and the production offers just enough ear candy here and there to allow the listener to discover new things down the road. Nice. The third cut, "Nick", has a very airy, yet haunting tone to it- and "Nick" is mentioned in past tense, so I dug through the liner notes for more information. What I found was a perfectly worded paragraph explaining who Nick is, and was- both to the world and to John himself. Flat out some of the most touching words I've ever read on the inside of a CD. I'd like to share it with you:NICK (Song for Nick Drake) Nick's sister had said that he was "born with a skin too few". He died at the age of 26 from an overdose of prescribed antidepressant drugs. It's unknown whether it was intentional or accidental. By his bed lay the book "The Myth of Sisyphus" (you pushed the rock to top of hill). He had an elaborate, original and beautiful style of picking. It was said that he would sometimes go for drives until the car ran out of gas. Time has been good to his music. Nick's work is more appreciated now than it was in his lifetime. Sadly, he felt he had failed to reach his audience. I just wanted to tip my hat to Nick & thank him for all the songs he did leave behind- which will never die. I don't hink his music would touch me so if he were born with a suit of armor.Dyer managed to present the song "Nick" with many levels of appreciation, at first listen it's simply a good song about a guy named Nick; yet you get the feeling the rivers run cold and deep. In my opinion, John Dyer has the potential to influence people the same way Nick Drake has influenced him. I hope this potential is heard by the industry and John is given the resources and support to give us more of what he has to say. I was thoroughly impressed by him, his songs, and his album.- Chris Mara, Bitchin' Music Reviews 2007

About One Among/ Dyer in North Carolina

"Transcendental musings. . . where mysticism meets the pickle barrel. John Dyer puts an element of danger into the singer-songwriter tradition." - Charles Jones ­ Synergen

"Dyer's rhythmic meditations hum with awareness & good humor. A gentle, sophisticated & deeply-flowing talent...candy for the soul." - theXpo

"Sort of a rustic folk-art eccentric, with a playful vocal style. Not nutty in a lost, Syd Barrett kind of way; more of a warm, intuitive approach to stream-of consciousness lyrics." - Tad Dreis - Musician

"John Dyer's ONE AMONG will get under your skin in a good way...cryptic, stream-of-consciousness lyrics...deceptively complex arrangements...a compelling achievement." - Rick Cornell - THE MUSIC MONITOR

"Well constructed compositions, infectious melodies with intelligent lyrical content...an engaging delivery, and outstanding musicianship. John Dyer is a modern day songsmith of the finest caliber." - Rick Ramirez - Temple Ball Productions

"I've lived in this town of musicians (Chapel Hill, NC) for six years and John's music is the first that I feel comfortable sandwiching in mixed tapes between the likes of Dylan and David Byrne. He's not there yet, but he will be." - Matthijs Schoots, Author of "If Not A Hero"

"John Dyer plays the guitar and then he takes it higher, and then he takes your breath away." ­ Ruy Burgos-Loéce ­ Writer & Translator

"John Dyer-sonic sculptor/word weaver." ­ Davis Stillson ­ Loyd Street Studios

About What's Inside the Egg?

"What's Inside the Egg's delicate spell seemed to both embody & dramatize the first whisper of a new life. A lovely human - puppet play...invaded by miniature gypsies. John Dyer's sophisticated funky-jazzy score is performed live primarily by the composer himself, who plays electric guitar, ukulele, percussion, harmonica, and various chimes, and whistles. The music perfectly matches the show's playful but soulful mood." ­ Tom Sime - Dallas Morning News

"What's Inside the Egg is like a whimsical breeze that circles around you and lifts you up a little. The show has a certain joie de vive...will give you a feeling of wondermint & imagination...feels like the four winds of euphoria meet right before your eyes. The music for the show is live. It is composed and performed by John Dyer, along with a little help from Michael Bodycomb on upright bass. It's all so jazzy and happy (in a good way, not in a "please take your bouncy joy elsewhere" sort of way) and it fits the show to a 'T.' Dyer's music and sound effects do flips and perform amazing feats of dexterity to fill the gap left by the absence of words." -Richard Hinojosa - NYtheatre.com - Sept. 28 2004

About Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (2003-2006)

"Employing a splendid feast of sight & sound, Simons & Dyer pump new life into a well worn classic. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a treat on a few different levels. Rich in sensory wonder, Alice is part day at the circus, part enchanted fairy tale, and part cartoon - a mix of Looney Tunes and Yellow Submarine. The music & lyrics carry the narrative. These sweet sounds come courtesy of Fort Worth native turned New Yorker John Dyer and his band.....beautiful, catchy stuff it is... Traces of the Doors, George Harrison, and most of all, late '60s-era Kinks surface throughout. Apropos to the tale, much of Dyer's music invokes a whimsical, childlike quality." Matthew Smith - Fort Worth Weekly - August 2003

"Composer John Dyer has created a sonic backdrop which exquisitely sets the tone for this staging of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland...The puppets are beautiful works of art...Probably the most physical puppet show you'll ever see...The best version of the Lewis Carroll novel that I've ever seen onstage" - Mark Lowry ­ Fort Worth Star-Telegram 2003

"The real anchor of the story is the score by John Dyer. It's a highly appealing song cycle reminiscent of Paul Simon, with some of Carroll's text as foundation, but a lot of Mr. Dyer's musings and tangents as well. "Eat me, drink me - see what happens" Dyer's song implores. And though the book has been adapted countless times, any version that makes you think of both Roman Polanski and Timothy Leary can honestly claim originality. - Tom Sime - Dallas Morning News - August 2003

"This adaptation was as timeless as its original, appropriately represented by recognizable symbols to the eye of both child and adult. Wily puppeteers pulled doors out of their sleeves as well as potions for the pig-tailed Alice to eat and drink. The scene in which she cries because she can neither grow tall enough nor shrink to fit through the tiny door was cleverly executed by fabrics of blues and greens (representing her tears), dancing across the stage. Moreover, the sneak peek images that lay inside the closed door were psychedelic and lively in contrast to the darker, edgy feel of the piece. The music informed, narrated, and gave Lewis Carroll's voice a new twist. The songs were light and even comic at times, off-setting the play's darker edges. I particularly liked the mouse's ballad, an odd yet memorable character that never makes it to the Disney production. I guess you don't have to pull my strings very hard to know how I felt about the show. It's easy. Simons, Dyer, performers, and puppets all succeeded in giving us a quirky and fresh take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." - Caroline Smith NEW YORK COOL.com 2005

"Lake Simons & John Dyer have created a magical and surreal musical" - NYTheatre.com 2006

"Refreshing...brings to life the rich world of Wonderland...a talented ensemble. Splendid." - Village Voice NY 2006

"Very edgy indeed" - Time Out NY 2006

"Those of you who haven't ventured down the rabbit hole lately should take this opportunity to see this unique and wildly imaginative adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic story. Creators Lake Simons and John Dyer make the most of it by giving us an explosion of surrealistic sight and sound.......this production highlights the dreamlike mindscape, the absurdities, and the odd juxtapositions that Carroll uses in his story. Simons is without a doubt one of New York's most talented puppet engineers. Whatever she touches springs to life with a seeming desire to live forever. There are several scenes, such as the one in which Alice is chasing the mouse that is swimming in the flood created by her tears, that absolutely swept me away. I felt as if I was genuinely living in a dream and I think that would have pleased Mr. Carroll. The driving force throughout the show are the brilliant compositions of John Dyer. His five-piece band rocks, underscores and opens doors to this strange world. Dyer uses sound like text, creating a story all its own. For example, he uses a bell as if to say "look over here" whenever a certain object comes on stage. He also uses theme songs for certain characters (the rabbit has one of the coolest of these) that are heard whenever that character enters. Apart from the sound effects and theme songs, Dyer also creates some beautifully written and alluringly melodic tunes out of Carroll's text. ..........a roller coaster ride of a show. This production should not be missed. All of the creative elements are extremely cohesive, from the gorgeous lighting (courtesy of James Latzel) to the intricate choreography of the bunraku puppeteers to the inspired music. Simons and Dyer are a formidable creative team and I hope to see more of their collaborations reach New York stages." - nytheatre.com Richard Hinojosa · March 29, 2006

"Until last night, it would have been hard for me to imagine an Alice In Wonderland more surreal or whimsical than Lewis Carroll's dope-induced original. Thankfully, Lake Simons and John Dyer, the creative team behind a new version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, suffered no such constraints in their creation of this brilliant piece of puppetry currently playing in repertory at the HERE Art Center in Manhattan. As part of HERE's Dream Music Puppetry Program, the show combines exciting live music with a wide variety of puppets, as well as live actors, recorded sounds, and a beautifully realized but still minimalist set. A beautiful imagining of the childhood classic." - Hugh Ryan EDGE Entertainment NY 2006

"Much credit goes to the five-piece band, led by Dyer....his original music was a huge asset. Ranging from 60's bubblegum pop to dreamy acoustic pieces, each song propelled the story forward. Simons and John Dyer's Alice is definitely worth seeing. What is most exciting about this production is watching a unique vision of a classic. This adaptation challenges the specific images of Alice that are ingrained in our popular culture and offers us a new trip to Wonderland." - Kimberly Patterson offoffonline.com 2006

"Fantastic musical accompaniment and ingenious puppet creations that are unlikely to remind you in any way of the countless lame kiddie shows that might come to mind when you hear the word 'puppet'." - Mallory Jensen gothamist.com 2006

About Drama Tiki (1992-1998)...

"Sweetly flowing, thoughtful and engaging - an earthy mixture with nods to folk, country and jazz. A pleasant lively sound - at the fore is the guitar work of vocalist/lyricist John Dyer." ­ Dave Ferman ­ Ft. Worth Star Telegram

"An island of psychedelic, rhythm-oriented, feel-good folk pop in a sea of angry white noise. Delivers a positive musical message. Solid pop constructions." - Michael Powell ­ Ft. Worth Weekly

"Distinct and interesting sound which blends elements of rock, folk, jazz and blues. Earthy songwriting - incredibly talented guitarist - rich, filled- out sound - can always be counted on for an impressive live show." ­ Frank Strong ­ Out of the Blue

"Produces an enigmatic energy - leads rooms full of listeners into dazing grooves." - Donnie Snow ­ Jam

"Sweet and Sour Change" accentuates Dyer's luscious and mournful songwriting...most beautiful melodies to date"
Mark Lowry- Ft. Worth Weekly

"Dyer's powerful vocals provide a strong front for the group"
Carl Kozwalski- TCU Daily Skif

"Songs from Sweet and Sour Change and Settle were excellent"
Dave Ferman- Ft. Worth Star Telegram