Littlefield
El Granada, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
El Granada musician Dan Littlefield came to terms with troublesome places in his past with the release of his first solo album, "The Hills We Knew," now available at iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon.
With his music falling into a niche somewhere between alternative rock and folk, and his songs critically described as intimate, poetic and refreshingly honest, Littlefield created an album around a central theme based on the loss of his father and two brothers. Instead of dwelling on the loss, his songs focus more on the good times the family shared together.
"It really was an important way for me to put a lot of that stuff behind me," he said. "In addition, as a proud local, I also drew a lot of inspiration from this beautiful place that we call home."
Littlefield entered music early, taking up bass at age 13. Music, however, was derailed by athletics while he was in high school and competing for California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, where he went on an athletic scholarship.
Then a severe injury necessitated giving up athletics, and he turned back to music, joining a friend's Texas soul band, Snaphook, and touring California.
After Snaphook disbanded, he lived briefly in South America, delved into Americana roots rock, briefly sang and played bass with the pop/rock band Intrinsic, and began work on what became his new CD, named after the hills of Los Alamos, Calif., where he wandered with his late brother Alex.
Littlefield wrote the songs for the album and also played guitar, dobro, upright and electric bass and harmonica, and sang. It was released in December 2010.
Besides the album, Littlefield, who is a special education teacher, hopes to use his musical skills to benefit education.
He will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Wine Bar located in the new Harbor Village at 270 Capistrano Road in Princeton. It can be reached at 726-0770. - Half Moon Bay Review
You can tell a lot about a singer, their past, and the places they’ve been by their voice, tone, and the inflections with which they sing. For El Granada singer/songwriter, Dan Littlefield, the folksy gravel in his songs tell a story of travel, contemplation, love, and loss.
With his debut solo album, The Hills We Knew, Littlefield’s emotions and past are on display, as an honest canvas of a life well lived… no regrets, but definitely full of memory. Produced by his good friend and former bandmate, Joe Koenig, Hills is a fitting tribute to Littlefield’s love of music, family, and the people who helped get him where he is now.
First off, I love the mid-Winter season for music releases. With the Christmas shopping all done, and all the Pop and Top-40 musicians taking a break to watch albums sales money pour in, that’s when folk and indie artists finally get a voice… when hopefully all their hard work and touring pays off, and they get to tell the world their story. With releases from Amos Lee and the Decemberists, and upcoming CD’s from the likes of Bright Eyes and The Young International, Dan Littlefield’s new disc fits perfectly amongst a group of musicians with a lot of talent, but also a lot to prove.
The LP starts off with “On the Rails,” which is the perfect song of reflection and travel, but also of reminiscing about home and family. The imagery of a young kid walking along a train track with no idea where the rails will take him on life’s journey is highly relatable, and Littlefield’s vocals add an old familiar tone. “Awake in the Bed I Lie” quickens the tempo a bit, and shows a greater urgency. It also sees Littlefield showing off some polished falsetto chorus lines, and I hear some similarities to Scott Weiland of STP, or Brandon Boyd of Incubus. Still very folksy and acoustic, but somewhere along the lines of STP’s “Creep” or Boyd’s more mellow material.
“Drifter” really captures my attention, as Littlefield sounds most confident and comfortable in his sound on this track. Boasting a catchy chorus and a great traveling vibe, it’s one of my favorites on the album. Title track “The Hills We Knew” is a somber track that seems to reflect on a relationship long past. Lyrics hint at a shared bond with a family member who is sorely missed. Those emotions continue throughout other tunes like “Remnants of You” and the hauntingly mournful “Dogwood.” Harmonicas and simple guitar strums accompany a tune all about memories of the past, and immortalize its subjects in song, as we get a deeper understanding of Littlefield and who he is as a musician.
Try This Track: “Drifter” - Hollywood Jesus
Discography
LP "The Hills We Knew" can be heard in full length at www.littlefieldmusic.com
Photos
Bio
Dan Littlefield is a musician from El Granada, CA. His music is a dynamic blend between alternative rock, southern soul, roots, and folk that has been described as intimate, poetic, and refreshingly unique. Littlefield recently released his debut solo album “The Hills We Knew” which has received significant radio play throughout the Bay Area. Frequently drawing comparisons to Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Petty, Mumford and Sons, John Frusciante and many others. He often performs with violinist Kristen Lee and together they are quickly becoming one of the Bay Area's favorite duos playing venues such as Hotel Utah, The Catalyst, The Elbo Room, and many many more...
Littlefield began playing bass guitar at the age of 13 and quickly discovered he had an extraordinary passion for music. But the music would have to wait. Throughout high school, Dan excelled in athletics which left little free time to seriously pursue music. After receiving an athletic scholarship and competing for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo’s track and field team, a severe injury forced him to give up athletics for good. Feeling lost and confused, he turned to his neglected bass for help. Almost immediately, Littlefield knew that music was the next chapter of his life. He joined his friend Joe Koenig’s band Snaphook as the bass player and toured California with the rock band. They released “Echo Location” in 2004, Littlefield’s first recording with a band. The EP went on to be featured on several compilations featuring up and coming rock bands. Snaphook called it quits in 2005 but Dan was certain music would remain a huge part of his life for the rest of his days.
After living briefly in South America, he returned and began seriously pursing music once again. He played bass for a year with Corduroy Jim, where he learned valuable Americana roots rock melody and groove and in 2009, he put together a band of local friends and started Intrinsic, a pop/rock band in which he sang and played bass. Although the band did not last long, it allowed Littlefield to fully blossom as a music writer and performer. He felt it was time to go solo and create the type of music he was truly feeling in his heart. He began working on his first album named “The Hills We Knew” after the hills of Los Alamos, CA that he would wander through with his late brother Alex Littlefield. Alex was a tremendous influence in Dan’s life and continues to inspire much of the music he creates today.
Once again, Littlefield sought out the help of his good friend Joe Koenig, this time to produce the album. Joe and Dan hit the studio with the intention of doing things “the right way or not at all” and worked closely together for the next six months to achieve the vision they shared for the music. Littlefield not only wrote all the songs for his album but also played guitar, dobro, upright and electric bass, harmonica, and sang the vocals on the album. In December of 2010, he released the album digitally and in January 2011 released the CD. The album represents many things to Littlefield. Mainly, it is a tribute to his father and two half brothers that have passed away. You can find traces of them throughout the album, but in particular the songs “Dogwood”, “Remnants of You”, and “The Hills We Knew.” This album represents Dan’s best effort thus far as a musician and the proudest moment of his musical career. You can find him touring and promoting the album throughout California and beyond.
More to come…
Links
