Daniel Carlson

Daniel Carlson

Songwriter, singer, and guitarist Daniel Carlson grew up in Chicago and, following a three year Southern California detour, found himself in New York City in the early 90's. After spending much of the next five years playing in various downtown rock bands, he withdrew from the scene to rethink the route his musical life had taken.

As luck would have it, Carlson soon stumbled upon then-current records by the High Llamas, Cardinal, and the Divine Comedy (among others). Representing a complete left turn from the power pop Carlson had been playing, these beautifully written and meticulously arranged chamber pop records pointed him in a new direction. Trading in the electric guitars for cellos, french horns, Mellotrons, and Moogs, Carlson spent the next few years relearning most of what he'd known about writing and arranging music.

Carlson's latest effort, Aviary Jackson, is his first full length release (following two earlier EP's, Somnar and Now). Produced by Michael Leonhart (Steely Dan, Yoko Ono), Aviary Jackson features appearances by Glenn Patscha (Ollabelle), David Myhr (the Merrymakers), among many others. Recorded in New York City, Chicago, and Amsterdam (where Carlson lives part of the year), the songs represent the culmination of two years of close collaboration by Carlson and Leonhart. By turns epic, intimate, joyful, and heartbreaking, it's a record that takes the listener on a cinematic musical journey. Check it out.

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