((Danielson)) Band Profile and Upcoming New York City Concerts - Oh My Rockness
Danielson
Daniel Smith is the main creative force behind (Brother) Danielson. He's a religious man who oftentimes sings on stage in a giant tree costume. That's certainly one way of letting your light shine. Smith's off-kilter falsetto voice, sung over scattered strums, is grating to some and completely inspiring to others. If nothing else, it's entirely memorable. Like Sufjan Stevens (an honorary member of the sprawling Danielson Famile collective), these lyrics leave little doubt as to the beliefs of the songwriter. But we're not talking cookie-cutter christ music a la Amy Grant here. Smith creates music that is often magical, an all out freak-folk jamboree complete with banjos, bells, harps and pianos. But you know what? Rick Moody did an awesome profile on him in the Believer magazine. He explains why Danielson rules in much more literary terms than I ever could.
Published April 24, 2009