Dan Connolly

Acoustic-rock, alternative, and brilliant vocals are infused in singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dan Connolly’s debut album, Running Under Water. Connolly’s music reveals a varied musical background, with frequent comparisons to the likes of Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, Dave Mathews, and John Mayer.

The son of first generation Irish immigrants, his father introduced him to music, most notably in the form of traditional Irish folk. Connolly was raised in a house constantly flooded with music ranging from 200-year-old Celtic songs, to Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis and the Beatles. It is no wonder Dan’s music reflects such depths and diversity. Connolly was given his first guitar at age 10, and he’s been playing ever since.

As a diver in the United States Navy’s elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, Connolly traveled the world to diffuse underwater bombs in some of the most war-torn places on earth. Between missions, Connolly wrote and performed for thousands aboard aircraft carriers and various ports around the world.

It was during his travels through South America that his potential as a musician was fully realized. During fall 2005 in Bogotá, Colombia, Connolly was “discovered” by a local producer and brought to a studio to record some of his early work. Following an overwhelmingly positive reception of his tracks and the subsequent encouragement of friends, family, and music professionals, his career as a musician was set in motion.

Connolly has since recorded with legendary violinist Geoffrey Castle and other top tier musicians. He performs regularly, both solo and with his band, at venues around the Pacific Northwest, and was invited to play one of his compositions, “The Compassion Song,” for His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a visit to Seattle.

Connolly’s goal is to inspire by exposing the profoundly valuable relationship between life and music. For Connolly, music has always represented an escape from the harsh realities of injustice, apathy, and unrequited love he observed (and experienced) so readily in the world around him. Connolly believes that “everyday is a gift”, and through his music he shares this passion.