82. Danielson

Illustration by Jack Habegger

The band Danielson started when Daniel Smith worked with his siblings to satisfy a requirement for his senior thesis three decades ago. If you’re not familiar with their music, one thing you’ll notice throughout today’s show is that nobody else sounds anything like them. Daniel and I are talking today about the thirty-year evolution of the group, why he sings the way he does, how the group incorporates visual art into their work, producing records for others (including friends of the show Soul-Junk and Hermit Thrushes), creating the soundtrack to the film Electric Jesus, a new album in the works via Joyful Noise Recordings, collaborations with Half-Handed Cloud, Kramer, Jad Fair and others. Since recording this interview, Danielson has released a short film for their song “Come and Save Me” directed by Chris White that stars Fred Armisen and features previously unused lyrics by the late Larry Norman. Daniel spoke to me from his studio in New Jersey. Listen now:

More from Danielson:

This 2006 feature length documentary explores the group’s history up to the point of its creation, and the rising star of their good friend and collaborator Sufjan Stevens.

“Come and Save Me” starring Fred Armisen, dir. Chris White:

Danielson’s first music video from 1995:

Danielson Artist Enabler Club: