Kevin Danzig
Vail, Colorado, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE
Music
Press
Acoustic rock singer Kevin Danzig has been releasing his own albums since 1983, and has kept going strong all these years. Almost thirty years later, Danzig traveled to Lawrence, Kansas to record his newest album, Loud and Clear, which he released in December of 2011. Danzig's folk and Americana roots show up, giving each song a sort of down-home feel. Loud and Clear can easily be considered a southern rock album in those aspects. There are also very noticeable traces of other bands' sounds throughout the album; whether he considers them influences or not isn't mentioned in his bio, but I hear glimpses of the 90s alternative sounds we got from Barenaked Ladies and R.E.M. In an interesting - and surprising - shift in sound, "The Smile of My Old Face" takes on a disco vibe. If you can remember the song "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai (more famously known as the Napoleon Dynamite dance), you have a good idea of what that song sounds like. "Peace To Us All" follows along with the BNL/R.E.M. sound, but has a hint of the 70s' "Jesus music." It's light, but it reminds me of other bands I've heard from that era. Loud and Clear brings with it a message of hope and perseverance, clearly sung of in the song "Never Give Up," where Danzig reminds the listener that "In the darkest night, there's a ray of hope, let it shine on you, never give up." It's a message that continues on through the entirety of the album, and is sure to be an encouragement to fans of Americana and southern rock music.
- Review date: 2/9/12, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com - Jesus Freak Hidout
BOX CARS
Kevin Danzig
KEDA
I feel sure I have reviewed an album of his before and I think it was
for an appearance at Acoustic Sounds Café. This album is a delightful
piece of work. Danzig is a good guitarist, who can also play
harmonica, and is an excellent singer / songwriter. On a couple of
these songs he reminds me a lot of old Mudcat, but for the most part
he is your basic folk / pop stylist. He writes very personal songs
that have a universal appeal. I especially enjoyed the opener, which
is also the title track, and that sweet closing cut, with Kevin joined
on vocals by a boy named Siel Snowden, nothing less than a charmer.
- Nightflying
"After a brief sound check, the beret-clad troubadour steps to the mic, and his face lights up. With the first notes from his guitar you sense that the room is his."
---Ian Whitaker (The Room), Review of Original Music - Ian Whitaker (The Room)
"After a brief sound check, the beret-clad troubadour steps to the mic, and his face lights up. With the first notes from his guitar you sense that the room is his."
---Ian Whitaker (The Room), Review of Original Music - Ian Whitaker (The Room)
"Kevin reminds me of a young Andrew Lloyd Webber, in an 'off-Broadway' sense."
---Rod Kennedy, Founder
Kerrville Folk Festival - Rod Kennedy, Founder, Kerrville Folk Festival
"Kevin reminds me of a young Andrew Lloyd Webber, in an 'off-Broadway' sense."
---Rod Kennedy, Founder
Kerrville Folk Festival - Rod Kennedy, Founder, Kerrville Folk Festival
"Kevin somehow just pours his energy into his guitar, yet not at all like those thousands of players with more energy than skill. This is something more ethereal, kind of a 'something inside him flows from his being through the instrument out to the listening space' that enhances the vocals and the lyrics instead of burying them for the attentive listener."
---Seegar & Miki Swanson
Fiddler's Green/Atlanta, GA - Seegar & Miki Swanson, Fiddler's Green/Atlanta, GA
"Kevin somehow just pours his energy into his guitar, yet not at all like those thousands of players with more energy than skill. This is something more ethereal, kind of a 'something inside him flows from his being through the instrument out to the listening space' that enhances the vocals and the lyrics instead of burying them for the attentive listener."
---Seegar & Miki Swanson
Fiddler's Green/Atlanta, GA - Seegar & Miki Swanson, Fiddler's Green/Atlanta, GA
"Kevin's latest CD is the best acoustic record I've heard!"
---Jason Hanks
LSU Spectrum - Jason Hanks, LSU Spectrum
"Kevin's latest CD is the best acoustic record I've heard!"
---Jason Hanks
LSU Spectrum - Jason Hanks, LSU Spectrum
"Reflective listeners will hear Kevin but will see themselves."
---Dennis Kahler
Alabama Songwriter's Guild - Dennis Kahler, Alabama Songwriter's Guild
"Reflective listeners will hear Kevin but will see themselves."
---Dennis Kahler
Alabama Songwriter's Guild - Dennis Kahler, Alabama Songwriter's Guild
"One minute he's like Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull's charismatic leader), and the next, he's crooning like Cat Stevens."
---Caroline Aiken
Atlanta-based musician/poet - Caroline Aiken, Atlanta-based musician/poet
"One minute he's like Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull's charismatic leader), and the next, he's crooning like Cat Stevens."
---Caroline Aiken
Atlanta-based musician/poet - Caroline Aiken, Atlanta-based musician/poet
"Danzig's voice inhabits each tune with a presence that ranges from plangent to poignant."
---Jim Kirlin
Taylor Guitars - Jim Kirlin, Taylor Guitars
"Danzig's voice inhabits each tune with a presence that ranges from plangent to poignant."
---Jim Kirlin
Taylor Guitars - Jim Kirlin, Taylor Guitars
"Kevin Danzig still leads the nomadic troubadour’s life where stories are indelibly etched within a blink of an eye. Danzig impresses with intriguing songwriting atmospheric vocals and diversely textured arrangements. Danzig has a knack for crafting memorable, tuneful compositions that stretch across a gamut of emotions….for Danzig, life’s good once again and it shows.”
---Dan Willging
OffBEAT Magazine, December 2005 - Dan Willging, OffBEAT Magazine, December 2005
"Kevin Danzig still leads the nomadic troubadour’s life where stories are indelibly etched within a blink of an eye. Danzig impresses with intriguing songwriting atmospheric vocals and diversely textured arrangements. Danzig has a knack for crafting memorable, tuneful compositions that stretch across a gamut of emotions….for Danzig, life’s good once again and it shows.”
---Dan Willging
OffBEAT Magazine, December 2005 - Dan Willging, OffBEAT Magazine, December 2005
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
"Kevin Danzig still leads the nomadic troubadours life where stories are indelibly etched within a blink of an eye. Danzig impresses with intriguing songwriting atmospheric vocals and diversely textured arrangements. Danzig has a knack for crafting memorable, tuneful compositions that stretch across a gamut of emotions -- OffBEAT Magazine review by Dan Willging
Kevin Danzig writes and performs modern folk and acoustic rock tunes as well as selected cover songs, accompanied by acoustic guitar, ukulele, and harmonica; He plays tambourine with his foot. Originality is Danzig's hallmark; Kevin's lyrics are invariably intelligent, the instrumental arrangements are in perfect sync and skillfully executed.
Kevin's fans range from age 3 to 93 and his original songs can be heard on rock, folk, Americana, Inspirational, and easy listening stations in North America and are available for digital download at www.cdbaby.com, itunes.com, amazon.com, and many other sites. He is endorsed by ELIXIR STRINGS. "I have used Elixir Strings for over 10 years for their quality of tone and long life" 2/2013 --Kevin Danzig
Kevin Danzig makes his home in the mountains of Colorado. He plays a wide range of venues throughout North America, including clubs, concert halls, festivals, restaurants, college campuses, coffee shops, outdoor arenas, house concerts, corporate events and weddings. In the past 10 years, he has been invited for a return engagement to every venue at which he's performed.
Growing up in a musical family in Southern California, Kevin Danzig has been a performing songwriter nearly his entire life and a professional since the age of 18. At age 11, Kevin was recording for K-TEL Records, (Mike Curb Productions), as one of the jubilant voices of 50 Childrens Favorites As seen on TV. It was in 1978, however, that he got his first big...rejection, when Chuck Barris, (host of the Gong Show), told him, "Kid, you're TOO GOOD for this show!"
Kevin has three songs featured on the soundtrack of the movie SOULTAKER and has won five BILLBOARD MAGAZINE Song Awards. His song "HEY DEAN!" was featured on the syndicated radio program CAR TALK.
Kevin has recorded nine full length CD's of original material, (eight solo and one duet).
His CDs, PLAYGROUND, LOUD & CLEAR, THE TIME IS RIGHT, BOX CARS, WELCOME HOME, KEVIN DANZIG, LATELY,
THE KEY, (Danzig & Woolley), and FREE THE POET, are available for sale at www.kevindanzig.net . (click on "music" at bottom of the homepage)
2013/14 is shaping up to be a busy time for Kevin. The single, SWEET RAIN, (also available on Loud & Clear), calling attention to the oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico and other environmental harm to our planet, garnered airplay in numerous coastal areas of the United States. The original song, SWEET SAN CLEMENTE has been claimed by the California city as its official anthem. The new song, ON PUBLIC RADIO was one of 14 songs selected by National Public Radio for a 2014 CD to promote NPR. Kevin also appeared in the ABC Television holiday movie, THE DOG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS VACATION.
Kevins association with 13 Cohort Productions in Half Moon Bay, CA has resulted in new videos of four songs that are featured on Loud & Clear. The videos can be viewed at www.kevindanzig.net .
IN THE WORKS
Kevin has finished work on the new album entitled PLAYGROUND. This title came from the Danzig & Woolley song of the same name, however the studio in Leadville, CO, (where it was recorded) operated by his old friend Tim Stroh, is very much a singer/songwriters sandbox or creative haven. Most of the music was made by Kevin alone, with cameos by Kevins long time friend and bass player Ken E. Keller, singer Faith Crawford, drummer Dean Oldencott, pianist John "ROC" Rothrock, and his son Eamon Danzig. A Spring 2014 tour will ensue to promote this record. Check the calendar to see where Kevin will be touring.
Looking ahead to 2015, a collection of songs about his favorite places and journeys. "SALTWATER COWBOY" will be finished. Kevin has recorded three of 15 songs for this project, also calling attention to the National Parks Service centennial in 2016. The three songs, ROCKY MOUNTAIN DREAMS, The SPIRIT OF THE TETONS, and SOMEWHERE IN ARIZONA (GRAND CANYON), are now available on a CD sampler, and can be heard on www.sonicbids.com/kevindanzig and www.reverbnation.com/kevindanzig
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