About a year ago now I did a review on this very blog for a semi popular indie artist’s new album. I gushed and raved about him being the best song writer currently writing music and how there probably wouldn’t be a better album than Illinoise in 2005. There wasn’t. And Sufjan Stevens is great. But this post is actually going to be about Sufjan Stevens’ musical mentor. Mr. Daniel Smith. AKA Br. Danielson AKA the leader of the Danielson Family. Or Danielson Famile. Or Danielson, depending on the record.
Danielson bears fruit for his Lord
Danielson just released Ships, an album collaborating over 20 artists including Deerhoof, Sufjan Stevens, and Why. It's already received critical acclaim including a 9.1 on Pitchfork. Danielson will annoy a lot of people, but to people sick of boring run-of-the-mill Christian music lacking in creativity Danielson is the cure. With his high pitched voice and an army of unconventional rock instruments from whistles to xylophones Danielson's lyrics are unashamedly Christian but never clichéd.
The Danileson Family wears their hearts on their sleevesAs a musical artist I respect Danielson's creativity more than any other artist I've ever heard. He's been recording for over ten years and still keeps his day job as a carpenter. Later this month I will have the opportunity to see the Danielson Family live for the first time. I'm as excited as can be. I'm including a bunch of songs you download below and adding one of my favorite Danielson songs to the Songs to Love section over there ->
MP3’s hosted by Danielson’s label Secretly Canadian:
Did I Step On Your Trumpet
Things Against Stuff
MP3's hosted by Danielson’s own label Sounds Familyre
Cutest Lil’ Dragon
Daughters Will Tune You
Danielson’s MySpace page with more music - http://www.myspace.com/danielson
9 comments:
Scott--
Dan and I just listened to two songs:
The Failing Test one and then something about stepping on a trumpet.
Very weird.
I like the beat of that second one but I don't think I could listen to a whole album. It's all--freakish and--noisy.
Bye.
Here's Dan--
The girls voice in did I step on your trumpet is genuine, it reminds me of some weird sixties music. Fun music like ear candy. See you.
um, you and I and have different tastes in music. I liked the sufjan stevens version of Our National Anthem, but stepping on my trumpet bent my musical taste a bit. I appreciate the musical talent of these folk, but it didn't reach me the way other music does. But it isn't about me!!!!!!
"I am making a mess failing to impress you in all that I can do" I like that.
I appreciate the artistry of the music you have presented. Kind of reminds me of a discussion I had regarding traditional vs. contemporary music in worship. To each his own, but as long as it praises God, then PRAISE GOD, it glorifies Him!
I am free...
I have been typing this over the last fifteen minutes, repeatedly listening to the few clips you have provided. It's growing on me....
Of course I like country, pop, classical, bluegrass, some rap, some techno, rock, jazz,
OK, I have listened to all the available music you have presented here.
I like the mellow beginning to the songs, very pink floyd.
daughters will tune you kinda freaked me a bit...very phish if you know what I mean.
slightly alternative, and very exciting. Do these folk tour?
Dan & Saddie: Danielson's music is certainly not for everyone. I can definitely relate to your statement about not being able to listen to a whole album. I first heard of Danielson after I had fell in love with Stevens' work about 3 years a go. I started reading about Sufjan and noticed he got his start playing in some band called the Danielson Family. I got a bunch of their albums and while I liked some of what they did I couldn't listen to more than a few songs as a time. I don't know when it happened but I kept giving their music a chance and after a while I really started to like it.
But I put a lot of stock in creativity when I listen to music so that's just me.
Sammy:
This is their current tour schedule:
05-12 Philadelphia, PA - Kensington South Forum *
05-13 Brooklyn, NY - Northsix ^
05-24 Louisville, KY - Uncle Pleasant's
05-25 Chicago, IL - Lakeshore Theater &
05-26 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
05-27 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
05-30 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
05-31 Portland, OR - K Street Theater @
06-02 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill %
06-03 Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
06-04 San Diego, CA - Casbah ?
06-05 Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
06-06 Phoenix, AZ - Modified
06-08 Salt Lake City, UT - Kayo
06-09 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive #
06-10 Lawrence, KS - Bottleneck
06-11 Indianapolis, IN - Harrison Center for the Arts
06-17 Silver Spring, MD - Silverdocs Film Festival
07-03 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
07-04 Athens, GA - TBA
07-05 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
07-06 Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington
07-07 Austin, TX - Emo's
07-08 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves
07-09 Oklahoma City, OK - Conservatory
07-10 Springfield, MO - Randy Bacon Gallery =
07-11 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone +
07-12 Nashville, TN - The End +
07-13 Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle +
07-14 Charlottesville, VA - Satellite Ballroom +
07-19 Cambridge, MA - Middle East
07-20 Portland, ME - Space Gallery
07-21 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
07-22 Providence, RI - AS220
07-23 Lancaster, PA - TBA
07-24 Washington, DC - TBA
07-25 Baltimore, MD - TBA
07-26 New York, NY - Knitting Factory
07-27 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
07-28 Newport, KY - Southgate House
07-29 Bloomington, IN - The Hospital $
08-01 Grand Rapids, MI - TBA
08-02 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
08-03 Toronto, Ontario - TBA
08-04 Kitchener, Ontario - Nidus Festival
08-05 Montreal, Quebec - La Salla Rossa !
08-06 New Haven, CT - TBA
I haven't seen them live but I'm quite sure it's an entertaining show. They're also selling most of their tickets for less than 15 bucks.
I'll let you know after I see them May 25th.
Scott you know that I did not like the D-Family at all for like what all of the 2+years you have been listening to them? Until just a few weeks ago. Somehow they just grew on me. I think it has a lot to do with just how cool they are and their lyrics. The lyrics my friend are so great. I love how they use their songs to really talk about sin and kind of the simplicity of obedience. NOT that being obedient to God is an easy task just kind of like a DAH! I don't know how to explain that to make it make sense.
They sort of remind me of Keith Green. NOT that they sound like him at all, that's obvious that they don't. But because they have a message in their song and are challenging in a way. Like Keith's songs challenge us to love and serve and to just break threw that Christian bubble that we all get stuck in. And the D-Family have messages too, like don't kiss a potty mouth (hehehe), or the Dragon song about lust. Seriously fun songs but really heavy thoughts and convictions there.
Anyway like Keith Green I feel challenged by the D-Family. I feel encouraged by them both too.
Don’t get me wrong I know there are other Christian bands out there too that are like that. But there is just something more simple but complex about these guys. Not your typical take a bible verse and make me feel good kind of song (which I really love too). I really just can’t explain this so I am going to stop trying because I am giving myself a headache.
I think that there are go to really reach a lot different sort of crowd. People who just don't really like typical contemporary Christian music and I think that is so awesome. I think a lot of non-Christians too which is even better!
I know that I am so excited that Emily and Frank like their music.
Hmmm...I don't know I just like them. I can't wait to see their DVD.
Great post actually, BTW.
PS Come home early enough today so you can shave before we go.
I love the little, domestic PS at the bottom of Crystal's comment. Very cute.
I think this band could grow on me too. I like the odd lyrics and I had a smile on my face the whole time I was listening to the music. I'm going to give the other examles here a shot too--you got me curious.
:)
I saw them live in Athens, GA (which I see is on their schedule now)--this was probably six years ago. I belonged to a group of people who helped run a Christian coffeehouse/worship gathering at the time, and we made dinner for the Famile before their show. :) They were SUPER nice. Their show was very, very creative and entertaining, too.
I think you'll love the show. Remember to let us know what you thought!
I've tried to force others to love all things Danielson but it is not to be. Dang.
Love Danielson and all his projects. Just found a really cool interview that all fans should check out. The adress is:
www.playmusicmagazine.com
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