Johnny McDaid
Johnny McDaid | |
|---|---|
| File:JMDFACEPIC1AA.png | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 24 July 1976 |
| Origin | Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Indie rock, alternative rock, pop, dance |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Producer, Writer |
| Instrument | Guitar Voice Piano |
| Labels | Vandit, Universal |
| Website | http://snowpatrol.com |
John "Johnny" McDaid (born 24 July 1976), is a writer, musician, producer, engineer and recording artist from Derry, Northern Ireland.[1] He plays piano, guitar and backing vocals in alternative rock band Snow Patrol.
McDaid was formerly the singer and songwriter of the band Vega4, whose second album "You and Others" was produced by Jacknife Lee. Their first single release, "Life Is Beautiful", was in the US Hot AC radio charts Top 40 for 12 weeks in 2007 and was the song for the theatrical trailer of the film My Sister's Keeper.
McDaid worked with Paul Van Dyk, resulting in "Time Of Our Lives" the number 1 club chart single from the Grammy nominated album Reflections. He wrote and performed the number 1 club chart hit "Home" for Paul van Dyk. The single was awarded Best Track at the 2009 Trance Awards. McDaid has performed with Paul van Dyk at selected shows.
In 2009, McDaid was the first signing to Snow Patrol's new publishing company, Polar Patrol Publishing.[2]
Known to work with styles of music from dance and pop to acoustic singer songwriters, McDaid has written and produced tracks for Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Carina Round, Ingrid Michaelson, Gary Go, Example, & Rosi Golan . He has also worked with Iain Archer, Declan O'Rourke, Tonio K, Freelance Hellraiser. He wrote and produced the title track for the movie "House of Fools" directed by Oscar nominated director Eva Isaksen and has written and produced records for Sony BMG, Universal, EMI, PIAS, Mushroom and Capitol Records.
McDaid's songs have been featured on many TV shows, including Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill, The Hills, Pushing Daisies, Defying Gravity, and HBO network season campaigns, among others. His songs have also been used on various advertising campaigns including: Landrover, Jeep, RTÉ, and in feature movies including Into the Blue, The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants and Sex Drive.
McDaid produced the "Snow Patrol Remix" of U2's "Unknown Caller" in January 2010.
McDaid also has a studio, "Fieldwork Music", in North London where he writes, produces and mixes with and for various artists and songwriters. He has used "Fieldwork" as a project name for song releases, including the single "This Is Not The End", featured in a trailer for the film Edge Of Tomorrow.[3]
In 2012 Example released his album The Evolution of Man. The debut single "Say Nothing", co-written with McDaid was released in September 2012, debuting at number 2 in the UK charts.[4] The song was received positively overall and became the best selling song from the album. Digital Spy rated it four stars, calling it "an electronic anthem that's ready to take over the airwaves" and commenting that it "maintains a sense of depth, proving that despite his questionable celebrity jibes his talent still comes out on top".[5]
In January 2013 Johnny and Gary Lightbody performed at the "Sons & Daughters" concert in Derry, McDaid's home town, to mark the opening of the City's UK City of Culture year.[6]
In early 2013 Johnny McDaid moved to Nashville with Ed Sheeran to work with him on his second album. Sheeran and McDaid are close friends and later moved to Los Angeles together to continue working on Sheeran's sophomore record there. [7]
In November 2013 Ed Sheeran posted a picture of himself and McDaid on instagram stating that they had been making the record together for two years and that it was now complete. Ed Sheeran & Johnny McDaid
Johnny has a tattoo on his left arm which says "nuair is gá dom fillead abaile is tú mo réalt eolais" an Irish translation of a song (Guiding Light) by fellow Northern Irishman Foy Vance. Ed Sheeran and Foy Vance both have the same tattoo. The song was written for Johnny's late father, John McDaid Sr who died in July 2011. Guiding Light was recorded with Ed Sheeran featuring on vocals and Johnny on vocals and keys.[8] [9]
References
- ^ "Johnny's on Patrol after taking Berlin". Derry Journal. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ "Who are we?". Polar Patrol Publishing. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ "Snow Patrol - Facebook". 14 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ^ "Example UK Official Chart Entries". Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ "Example: 'Say Nothing' - Single review". Digital Spy. 2012-09-12. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
- ^ "Sons And Daughters". Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- ^ "Ed Sheeran Answers Questions". 1051 The Buzz. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "Interview With Foy Vance". groundsounds. 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ "Interview With Foy Vance & Ed Sheeran". The Independent. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
- Guildhall Press (2008). City Of Music. Guildhall Press. p. 295. ISBN 978-1-906271-18-3.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - Mpfrees (2007-03-27). "Vega4, "Life Is Beautiful"". New York Post.
- Internet DJ. "Paul Van Dyk's Historic Grammy Nomination". Retrieved 2004-12-09.