Daniel Marr
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Daniel Marr

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Band Alternative Singer/Songwriter

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Music

The best kept secret in music

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"Album review/ Interview"

Last October, NY Editor Michelle trekked along to Pete's Candy Store to catch Golden Shoulders, on their escape from Nevada City. Sadly, she never made it in time for their set, but did catch Daniel Marr - an incredibly talented singer & song writer from NY. She wasn't disappointed.

Having self-released 5 albums, which have been very well received, Daniel is now working on his first official release. Waves Crash In Stereo looks set be be full of his wonderful catchy tunes, which are perfect for brightening up a cold grey winter day. It's timeless summery indie pop, and his album, when released, ought to be a staple of everyone's record collection.

We asked Daniel about his song writing, his sound and his future plans...

How long have you been writing and performing?

Seven years on the dot.

What's the inspiration behind your writing?

The people in my life and my relationships with them.

How did you develop your sound?

I started writing songs before I could play guitar. I'd write entire songs based on three note guitar parts. I tried my best to make them catchy so even though they were really simple, they'd get stuck in people's heads. That catchy pop aesthetic kind of stuck. I started recording on a 4-track in my dorm room my freshman year of college, and finished my first "album" that summer. I recorded my second album my sophomore year in my dorm room, and after that I switched to an 8-track, which I recorded three more albums on. I am currently recording my official debut album ("Waves Crash In Stereo") with my friend Dylan in his home studio, and trying to sum up the best material of the past seven years, along with lots of new songs. I also use an mbox (light version of protools), so I can still record in my bedroom, and then use some of those tracks on the bigger studio songs. We're laying down all the drum tracks in a few weeks in a different studio with my friend Bob helping out as well.

What are your influences?

My favorite songwriters are Aimee Mann, Stephen Malkmus (Pavement), Liz Phair, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Elliott Smith, Bowie, Lou Reed, etc.

Who are your favourite artists at the moment?

Hmmmm. I must say I don't listen to that much new stuff. I listen to my favorite albums over and over and over again. I loved the newest Neko Case record a lot. She has an amazing voice and tells great stories. Sufjan Stevens, Jens Lekman, looking forward to the new Shins record.

How was 2006 for you?

Kind of lame until the end of it. I had a shitty office job that I hated, and was miserable. Then I quit in late October to work on music/ record my album, and I've been elated ever since!

What does 2007 hold in store?

Well I'm going to have about half of the record done in February once we lay down all the drum tracks. My friend Adam is going to film a bunch of videos for the songs. Then maybe put a band together and tour. Hopefully I can get a label to help me finance the second half of the record.

Golden Shoulders ask: Do you play music because of the people you know, or do you know the people you know because you play music?

Neither? I write songs about the people I know, but I started playing on a whim.

Can you tell us a bit about the track that will feature on the Taxi! Compilation later this month?

"Cut To The Next Scene" is a song from my last 8-track album, "Fading Photographs." That's the one Dylan first really responded to, and was the basis for our collaborating. While this is the most produced sounding studio song, a bunch of the guitar parts were recorded in my bedroom, and we even sampled the 8-tack version in a couple spots. There is so much cool stuff going on in this song, and I'm really proud of it. It is also structurally identical to the 8-track version, with just lots more going on, and a different beat.

www.taximag.co.uk. - Taxi Magazine


Discography

Official debut record:
"Waves Crash In Stereo" (2007)

Previous self-released demo albums:
"Fading Photographs" (2006)
"Circa 1981" (2004)
"Self Portrait" (2003)
"Everybody is My Biggest Fan" (2002)
"Huge in Japan" (2001)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

In the fall of 2006, Daniel Marr quit his job and began recording songs for his debut studio LP with good friend and established producer, Dylan Margerum. “Waves Crash In Stereo,” includes the best material from his five self-released albums and a batch of brand new songs. Of the summery indie-pop record, UK based Taxi Magazine states; “his album, when released, ought to be a staple of everyone's record collection."

Inspired by the likes of Brian Eno, Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, and David Bowie, Daniel set out to make an album that recalled a time when pop music was a viable form of artistic expression, and layered, “wall of sound” production wasn’t frowned upon. Built on Daniel’s do-it-yourself sensibilities (all five previous albums were recorded, performed, and mixed by Daniel himself) more than half of these songs have tracks that were recorded by Daniel in his bedroom.

In addition to playing approximately fifteen shows at Manhattan's Mercury Lounge, Daniel has performed at many esteemed New York staples such as The Knitting Factory, Don Hill's, Pete's Candy Store, CBGB's, Sin-E, and the now defunct Brownies. The January 2005 issue of Jane Magazine called him "so talented with an insanely catchy sound," and featured his 8-track demo of the song, "What Did You Expect,” on an accompanying compilation CD. Two of Daniel’s self-released albums were sold and displayed with accompanying write-ups at the infamous indie record store, Other Music in Manhattan. In the summer of 2007, Daniel released a preview EP entitled "No Hit Wonder," featuring 10 of 18 songs from "Waves Crash In Stereo." It is being sold exclusively at Other Music.

Fun fact: Due to budget constraints, drums for all nine songs containing them (thus far) were recorded in eight hours by Tyler “the machine” Soucy.