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Dan Whitehouse

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Dan Whitehouse
OriginWolverhampton, UK
GenresSinger-songwriter, Folk music
Years active1997–present
LabelsTiger Dan Records
Sotones
The Heantun Recording Co.
Reveal Records
Websitewww.dan-whitehouse.com

Dan Whitehouse (born 9 March 1979) is an English folk musician.[1] He is known for his distinctive voice and understated songwriting, and uses specially adapted instruments for people with disabilities.[2][3] His 2012 album Reaching for a State of Mind was made with percussionist Chip Bailey, a collaborator of Duke Special, and won critical acclaim as having lyrical vulnerability and imaginative musical settings.[2][4]

Career

The son of a Wolverhampton community radio pioneer, Dan was inspired by his father's record collection, gaining a "deep respect for song-writing technique".[5]
After stints performing with Naomi (1998-2000) and fronting rock band Sonara, who performed at Reading Festival,[6] Dan went solo in 2007. He has since supported such acts as Maria McKee, Julian Cope, Peter Green, Josh Ritter, Caitlin Rose, 10cc, World Party, Joseph Arthur, Willy Mason and Simone Felice.

Dan released his debut record, the seven-track The Balloon EP, in 2009. This was followed by The Bubble EP later that year. Lead track, You Can't Give Me Anymore, was described as being reminiscent "of waves crashing on a beach."[7] The track also featured Dan's first collaboration with pedal steel guitar player B. J. Cole.

His final release of 2009 was The Box EP. Collectively, the three 2009 EPs form a trilogy exploring themes of "life, love, loss and happiness."[8]

Dan's self-titled debut album was released in 2012, and was partially recorded in the songwriter's flat over a period of time with acoustic instrumentation.[5] The album also included Theremin, an electric screwdriver, and, on the song "My Stupid Face", ambient sounds recorded at Birmingham shopping centre the Bullring. ."[9]

In 2013, Dan released his more ambitious second full album, Reaching For A State of Mind. Recorded in a professional studio with producer Michael Clarke and a full band, notable guests included Ezio guitarist Booga, Helen Lancaster from folk act The Old Dance School, Fairport Convention's PJ Wright, and Duke Special's percussionist Chip Bailey. The album's 11 tracks were culled from an initial long-list of 35 home-recorded demos".[5]

Despite the inclusion of two notable folk musicians, the album is described as sitting "within a fairly wide spectrum of pop-rock-folk-Americana-roots influences."[10]
Artree described the album as "more intricately crafted and refined" than previous work, and a "musical evolution."[11]

The album was launched at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, in September 2013, with a special guest appearance from Duke Special.[12] The show was a sell-out.[13] After an opening solo set, Duke later joined Dan on stage for a version of Neil Young's Helpless.[14]

Four previously unreleased tracks recording during the Reaching For A State Of Mind sessions were later released as Reaching For A Further State of Mind EP.[15]

In 2014, Dan toured North America for the first time with accordion-playing German-American singer-songwriter Anja McCloskey, and released a joint-EP, Still,[16] which was recorded in Birmingham.[17] The two met while at university together in London, and Anja has described their collaboration as "alternative folk."[18]

During August 2014, Dan performed at Moseley Folk Festival between The Felice Brothers and Richard Thompson where he performed material from his third album Raw State. The album features both new tracks and reimagined versions of previously released songs, and was produced by Danny George Wilson and Chris Clarke of Danny and the Champions of the World. The album continues Dan's collaboration with B. J. Cole.[19]

Dan signed to Reveal Records for his fourth album, 2016's Introducing [20]. He also released a series of EPs, the fourth of which, EP 4: Sings Boo, saw Dan tackle songs either written wholly by, or co-written by Boo Hewerdine.

During 2016/2017, Dan began working with Birmingham-based singer-songwriter and pianist Danielle Cawdell on her debut recording. [21] The album, Silence Set Me Free was released in February 2018 with Dan acting as producer and co-writer, as well as playing on the tracks. [22]

Sound

Dan Whitehouse's music has been described as "romanticist folk"[23] and "alternative folk rock on a grand imposing scale".[24] South Wales Evening Post described Dan as a "reflective songwriter ... a sensitive singer, with blues and folk leanings.".[25] He has also been compared to Nick Drake[26][27] and Richard Hawley, "an artist to whom he should both be justly compared and share the same sort of critical acclaim.[28] Reviewing Reaching For A State Of Mind, Folking praised the album's "searing honesty"[29]

Dan cites artists such as The Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, eels and John Grant as among his influences.[30]

Discography

EPs

Year Title Format Label
2009 The Balloon EP CD/Digital Tiger Dan Records
2009 The Bubble EP CD/Digital Tiger Dan Records
2009 The Box EP CD/Digital Tiger Dan Records
2014 Still (with Anja McCloskey) CD/Digital Sotones Records
2014 Reaching Further For A State of Mind Digital Tiger Dan Records
2016 EP1 Digital/CD Reveal Records
2016 EP2 Digital/CD Reveal Records
2016 EP3 Digital/CD Reveal Records
2016 Sings Boo EP (EP4) Digital/CD Reveal Records

Albums

Year Title Format Label
2012 Dan Whitehouse CD/Digital Tiger Dan Records
2013 Reaching For A State of Mind CD/Digital Tiger Dan Records
2014 Raw State CD/Digital The Heantun Recording Co.
2016 Introducing CD/Digital Reveal Records
2016 That's Where I Belong CD/Digital Reveal Records

Additional Appearances

2018: Silence Set Me Free - Danielle Cawdell (10-track album released via The Heantun Recording Co; co-writer, producer and musician)

References

  1. ^ Anon. "Wolves Beat L-Z" Wolves Beat, Wolverhampton, date unknown. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b Farragher, Danny (19 August 2013). "DAN WHITEHOUSE CD Review Reaching for a State of Mind". Folk All. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  3. ^ Knipe, Joe. "Album Review: Dan Whitehouse – Reaching For A State Of Mind". Artree.com. Artree. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  4. ^ Roe, Janet M. (2 October 2013). "Reaching for a state of mind: Dan Whitehouse". Folking.com. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Freak, Dave. "Dan Whitehouse to launch album with gig at The Crescent Theatre" Birmingham Mail, Birmingham, 27 September 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  6. ^ Anon. "Dan Whitehouse - The Balloon Ep - Official Launch Gig" Remote Goat, UK, 31 January 2009. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  7. ^ Comfort Comes. "Review: Dan Whitehouse – Where is The Love?" Comfort Comes, UK, 18 November 2009. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  8. ^ Moore, Michelle. "http://www.roomthirteen.com/cd_reviews/9951/Dan_Whitehouse__Bubble_EP.html" Room 13, UK, 9 June 2009. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  9. ^ Anon. "Dan Whitehouse's saucer inspiration" Coventry Telegraph, Coventry, 13 April 2012. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  10. ^ Freak, Dave. "An Interview with Dan Whitehouse" Folk Radio UK, UK, 21 August 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  11. ^ Knipe, Joe. "Album Review: Dan Whitehouse – Reaching For A State Of Mind" Artree, UK, undated. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  12. ^ Vincent, David. "Dan Whitehouse at The Crescent Theatre" Weekend Notes, UK, September 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  13. ^ Farragher, Danny. "Dan Whitehouse Live Review Crescent Theatre, Birmingham" FolkAll, UK, 1 October 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  14. ^ Davies, Mike. "Mike Davies October 2013" Roots And Branches, UK, 1 October 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  15. ^ Artist website http://www.dan-whitehouse.com/site/discography/reaching-further-for-a-state-of-mind/
  16. ^ Slater, Aaron. "Interview: Anja McCloskey" Songwriting Magazine, UK, 17 September 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  17. ^ Dhillon, Arandeep Singh. "Manchester 'one of the world’s music capitals', says singer Dan Whitehouse" Mancunian Matters, Manchester, 23 February 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  18. ^ Barnes, Adrian. "Anja McCloskey talks music in advance of free Rossland show" The Rossland Telegraph, Canada, 21 January 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  19. ^ Andrew, Simon. "Sound and Vision: Dan Whitehouse. Beat Surrender, UK, 14 August 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  20. ^ https://www.discogs.com/Dan-Whitehouse-Introducing/release/8718420
  21. ^ Gig review, Maximum Volume Music, published 27 June 2017, http://www.maximumvolumemusic.com/annie-keating-danielle-cawdell-kitchen-garden-cafe-kings-heath-27617/
  22. ^ Danielle Cawdell talks ..., interview for What's On Magazine, published 27 Feb 2018, https://www.whatsonlive.co.uk/birmingham/interviews/danielle-cawdell-talks-ahead-of-birmingham-show/15446
  23. ^ Lloyd, Clementine. "Simone Felice @ Bush Hall, London 10.04.14", Bearded Magazine, UK, 9 April 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  24. ^ Russell, Ben. "Band of the Day #63 – Dan Whitehouse", Counteract Magazine, UK, 9 May 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  25. ^ Anon. "Dan Whitehouse Plays Swansea's Noah's Yard...", South Wales Evening Post, Swansea, 17 October 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  26. ^ De Luna, Alejandro. "Simone Felice Live ...", Gigslutz, UK, 10 April 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  27. ^ De Luna, Alejandro. "Simone Felice @ Bush Hall", The Sense Of Doubt, UK, 16 April 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  28. ^ Davies, Mike. "Mike Davies September 2013". Roots And Branches, September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  29. ^ Roe, Janet M. "Reaching for a state of mind: Dan Whitehouse", Folking, UK, 2 October 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
  30. ^ Robertshaw, Spencer. "Dan Whitehouse : Interview", Penny Black Music, UK, 27 August 2012. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
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