Danny Burns' Defectors

Artist Information

Biography

Led by the 26 year old Danny Burns on vocals, guitar, (a product of a working musician's family in Northwest of Ireland), Danny has been on the road as a full-time musician since leaving home at the age of 17. Pulling from as many different styles and influences as there are musical tastes in the Defectors, while conjuring up every bit of road and dirt that DBD has rolled in or passed over since first setting out from home. Danny's voice and the Defectors style have drawn the comparisons of Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Richard Thompson, Steve Earle, and Ryan Adams. What Danny describes as "just roots music" contains elements of rock, alt-country, folk and funk.

On Grace & Mercy, Danny and his Defectors let the listener ride shotgun while taking them on a journey through New York, Nashville and New Orleans, throughout Europe, the U.K. and Ireland, some roads recognizable others unfamiliar. As each mile marker passes, the Defectors create musical imagery that compliments Danny's thick and "aged" Irish accent, as he weaves tales of struggle, loss and hope.

Danny was featured in the critically acclaimed documentary "The Fairytale of New York", about Irish living-legend singer/songwriter Shane McGowan (Pogues) which is aired regularly on Irish National Television. Several years of extensive touring throughout Europe and the United States have allowed for the pleasure of sharing the stage with such greats as Damien Dempsey, Seanchai & the Unity Squad, The Greencards and Gary Og as well as playing the legendary 'Writers Night 'at the Bluebird Cafe Nashville-home to the greats such as Townes Van Zant, Guy Clark, Emmy Lou Harris...

Danny Burns' Defectors are currently performing throughout the Midwest. Plans call for a nationwide tour beginning in Spring 2008.

What people are saying about Danny Burns' Defectors...

"Danny Burns songs can uplift, inspire, and scare the crap out of you, while his voice literally paints the landscape of his homeland. As far as I'm concerned THIS IS Irish music." - John Ginty - Grammy winning organist and producer

"Danny is one of the Hottest new songwriters on the scene, with a guitar & a voice that can cripple you..you cant miss this guy!!" - The Zodiac Sessions - Dublin

"I was intrigued when I found Danny Burns' Defectors, a rootsy, folky, rockin' kind of band with an Irish front man currently living in the US. Their CD, "Grace and Mercy," is filled with an endless variety of soulful, acoustic based and lyrically rich songs that I enjoyed listening to. Burns' words are strong, colorful, and full of imagery ..." - Listeners Generation

"The next generation of balladeers. One to watch!" - Home & Away NYC

"Great songs and voice..." - Carol Young - The Greencards (2008 Grammy Nominee)

Instrumentation

Danny Burns - Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin
John Ginty - Hammond B3 Organ, Keys
CJ - Drums
Ben Smith - Bass

Discography

Grace & Mercy - Released January 2008

Links

• www.myspace.com/dannyburnsmusic
• www.dannyburns.net

Audio

• Sweet Poetry
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• Hells Fire
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• Children of the Revolution
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• Hold Them Back No More
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• Red Wine
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• Golden
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• Trouble
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• From the Flames
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Danny Burns' Defectors, [+ Show ]
  

  Danny Burns' Defectors, "Grace and Mercy," CD Review I recently came back from a trip to Ireland ...Danny Burns' Defectors, "Grace and Mercy," CD Review
  
  I recently came back from a trip to Ireland where it is rude to talk while the band is playing. It was an amazing experience and a significant change from the US music scene. So I was intrigued when I found Danny Burns' Defectors, a rootsy, folky, rockin' kind of band with an Irish front man currently living in the US. Their CD, "Grace and Mercy," is filled with an endless variety of soulful, acoustic based and lyrically rich songs that I enjoyed listening to.
  
  Grace and Mercy opens with the tune, "Sweet Poetry." It starts off as a light rhythmic acoustic tune backed by subtle organ, but it quickly begins to jam out with more and more energy, until you almost get the feeling you're watching the band at a club during one of their strongest performances. Recording artists know that capturing a live vibe on a recording isn't easy. The band and the producer (Grammy winner John Ginty) should be proud of the recording they got with this song.
  
  Shifting gears a bit is the next tune, "Hell's Fire." It's a head-bobbin', thumping, acoustic roots rock tune with some interesting instrumentals between the verses. Could that be an accordion over heavily reverberated guitar? I'm not quite sure what the team had in mind with the between-verse instrumentals. However, it is an innovative sound, and the band still keeps a good groove. Pleasingly, the verses always come back with the same strong and pounding acoustic thump that the song opened with.
  
  One of the most lyrically strong tunes in this collection is, "Children of the Revolution." Burns' words are strong, colorful, and full of imagery as they are in all of his songs. On, "Children of the Revolution," he sings through his thick Irish accent, "Oh children of the revolution don't be silent tonight / for I feel the love and fire that burns deep inside." He also uses some vocal scales which I've never heard before. Not knowing my Irish music history, it would be a stretch for me to assume that's where the scales came from. But I'd be willing to bet a buck.
  
  I wish I was closer to these guys to see them live. I bet they put on a great show. It's tough to get their live vibe from this CD, as Danny Burns' Defectors and their producer Jon Ginty experiment with a very wide array of songwriting and production styles. Personally, I feel their strength lies in the folkier of the tunes. Not because Burns is Irish, but because he has great lyrics and a unique voice that is really interesting to listen to. However, they also proved in this collection that they can really rock out when necessary. If you're ever around Chicago, where they are currently gigging frequently, I recommend checking them out.
  
  Review By: ListenersGeneration.com

Setlist

Originals:

Sweet Poetry
Hells Fire
Hold Them Back No More
Children of the Revolution
Red Wine
Golden
Trouble
Great Big Sea
From the Flames
Missing You

Covers:

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