Danny Vera

There is plenty of talent in the Netherlands, but in most cases the artists involved lack a sense of direction, dedication and a goal. This
is not the case with Danny Vera. The talented singer/songwriter has always known how his songs, which he wrote in his bedroom, should sound.
A dream he saw come true with the release of his debut album For The Light In Your Eyes. "When I’m in the studio I see the songs that I
compose on an acoustic guitar come alive. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, it’s really great!

The album is the highlight of a journey that took Danny to Nashville and Memphis, a couple of years ago. "I could hardly play the guitar, but
when I was there I bought an expensive Gretsch because it was the same guitar George Harrison and Brian Setzer had. So then I had to learn how
to play." Vera started writing songs and performing first with his rockabilly bands and later as a solo artist. "I hit it off with the
crowd right away, I simply loved it. When I was eighteen I knew that this was how I wanted to make a living."

The songs of 25-year-old Vera were recorded in the Zeezicht Studios with producer Rob van Donselaar and various session musicians. But the songs
are his: personal, intimate, rootsy, compelling and sung in a typical golden voice. Two notable songs that are included on the album, are the
highly original Kiss cover I Was Made For Lovin' You (whoever hears Vera's version will certainly think that it was meant to be played like
this) and the vulnerable title track For The Light In Your Eyes, the lyrics of which are very special to Danny. "It’s about my mother who
passed away recently. She was more than a mother; she was my manager, a source of inspiration and also a friend."

Not all the songs are so emotionally charged as For The Light In Your Eyes. The easygoing Sick Of It All deals with Vera’s annoyance about the
traffic in his hometown. My Confession is the result of a meeting with his hero, the Nashville composer Troy Verges (best known for his work
with Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood and Jessica Andrews). "It was impressive to work with such a genius. He wrote songs for all my
favourites." Strong compositions that’s what Danny’s music is all about." I like all sorts of music as long as the songs are good." His songs
speak for themselves when listening to this album. Besides My Confession and Sick Of It All, it also contains the compelling No More Fuel and the
energetic Purple Velvet Roses. Variation, that’s what it’s all about with the man who listens not only to country and rock & roll, but also
to Radiohead and surf guitarist Dick Dale.

Danny doesn’t mind when people call his music country music, but it doesn’t cover the feel of it because it’s also influenced by rockabilly
and contemporary MOR. His songs are catchy and they could all be potential hits. "Some will say that my music is too commercial," he
says, "but I don’t mind making music for the masses." And smiling:" Besides, what’s commercial when you still go around wearing a quiff in
the year 2003?"