Daniel G. Harmann » Press

IndependentClauses.com – “Our Arms” Review

dgh — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:33:32 +0000

“Daniel G. Harmann’s Our Arms has been kicking around my iTunes far too long without a review. I sat down to listen to it so I could review it, and I realized that I’ve already been listening to it. The three songs on this EP have been through my shuffle, at the end of DGH’s other albums in my iTunes, and generally in my brain for longer than I have realized.

It makes it incredibly easy to sit down and write this review. Harmann’s basic sound is a hyper-romantic, extra-melodic, beauty-washed soundscape; I coined the term “rainy day makeout music” while listening to a Harmann album. That’s just what the music sounds like. This time out, though, DGH has himself a band named The Trouble Starts, making the proper name of this release Our Arms by Daniel G. Harmann and the Trouble Starts. Does the band make a difference in the sound that I so love from DGH?

Well, sort of. Opener “I Became the Ground” is much more upbeat than anything I can remember previously. It still retains the extremely emotional, hyper-romantic vibe, but it’s not as rainy in tone. It’s oddly reminiscent of the jangly pop that Death Cab for Cutie has been churning out these days, and even a little similar to Anberlin’s slower-tempo work. It doesn’t stray too far from the tree, but it’s definitely a new seed in the ground.

“Dee,” however, is a return to normalcy. The song plods along gloriously, with each individual part making stately entrances and exits. The mood is the same one that I have come to know of DGH, and after hearing a deviation from it in “I Became the Ground,” it’s very welcome. The chiming guitar line pushes this song forward as the vocals try to drag it back; the tension makes this an incredibly effective song.

“Knob Creek Neat” is somewhere in the middle. The presence of the Trouble Starts is felt, as there’s a less dreamy feel to the work and much more aggressive moments throughout. But it never breaks the morose tempo that DGH is most comfortable with. The song may be a lot more direct than his previous work, but the Trouble Starts haven’t broken him of slow, dreamy soundscapes: the chorus of the song features his trademark vocal trick (it’s a certain interval jump that I wish I was smart enough musically to name), and the aggressiveness falls out in favor of layered guitar parts and melodicism.

This three-song EP shows that Daniel G. is spreading his wings a bit by heading out with a band in tow. But he’s still the performer that I love, and a couple new members isn’t going to change that. This EP is the best possible way to move forward: one foot in the new, one foot in the old, and one in the middle. I’ll let you deal with the mental image of a three-legged man. Good work, Mr. Harmann. Good work.”
- IndependentClauses.com

the Stranger – Band of the Week / Our Arms Review

dgh — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:31:59 +0000

“Daniel G. Harmann’s newest release, the “Our Arms EP”, finds the stalwart Seattle musician expanding and further electrifying his beautiful downer ballads with the help of his band, the Trouble Starts. In the past, Harmann has sometimes played things lo-fi and spare, and while his foggy singing and his sad songs certainly don’t suffer from that treatment, they tend to land with a little more satisfying weight this way. The songs are still sleepy-headed and soft, but they’re wrapped up in warm, buzzing guitars against far-off echoes, with hard-hit drums holding everything down. It’s mope rock for sure, but it’s pretty lively mope rock. ”
- Eric Grandy

Seattle PI – 11.20.08

dgh — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:13:13 +0000

WHAT: By himself, Daniel G. Harmann is a folksy troubadour with a delightfully laconic voice and a penchant for heartbreaking melodies. With a band, he’s still a heartbreaker but with a full-bodied, sweeping consonance underlining his bittersweet poetry. The Trouble Starts includes Forrest Haskell (bass), Ozo Jaculewicz (guitar) and Shea Bliss (drums).

SOLO VS. BAND: “I kinda hate playing solo. I love playing with the Trouble Starts,” Harmann says. “When I moved back from Portland in 2006, it took me a long time to start playing shows again, and I think that’s just because I wanted to play with other people, but just didn’t know where to start. I knew a lot of people through music, but getting people — musicians especially — to commit is tough. But Dorkweed had just broken up, and Forrest and Ozo were looking for a home. Then Shea came on board just after that. We’d all been friends since way before we started playing together, and that really helped.”

CAREER DEBUT: “I played in a band in Phoenix called Kendrick, and we did a few shows, but the first time I ever played as Daniel G. Harmann was in December of 2001. … It was at I-Spy. The first show with the current band was in August of 2007 at Cafe Venus.”

INSPIRATION: “For me, it’s kind of like ‘what doesn’t?’ Lyrically, I’m always writing, always writing things down, all day. Sometimes the songs are obvious in their direction, and those are the ones that get written the fastest. But it takes me years to write some songs, and that’s OK. I’m not in any rush.”

NERVES: “As long as we can all hear each other during the first song, and I can hear my vocals OK, then I’m happy, and I can kick back and enjoy it. We’re all really excited about the Goodness show. I think every human has a crush on Carrie Akre.”

RELEASES: “Failures in Motion” (EP, 2001), “The Lake Effect” (LP, 2004), “The Books We Read Will Bury Us” (EP, 2006), “Anthems From the Gentle War” (LP, 2007), as well as a song on the Low Tribute album, “We Could Live in Hope” (2004)

WHERE TO LISTEN: hellotower.com and myspace.com/danielgharmann, where the lullaby “Words” deserves a listen

NEXT SHOW: 9:30 Friday at the Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., opening for Goodness. Tickets: $12 at the door.

- Shawn Telford | Seattle PI

the Stranger Show Review for 09.06.08 at the Tractor Tavern

admin — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:13:50 +0000

“What freezes you about Daniel G. Harmann’s music is the expanse. A quietly loud expanse. It scans across a highway bridge at night. Someone driving realizes the perfectness of hands. Harmann cuts from quiet and clean to loud and distorted with a crafted sense of timing. When he gets loud, it’s more a movement to volume. His higher range vocals coat the shift and the rhythm steadily drives. Though it grows in volume, the music doesn’t seem louder. The quiet – loud, loud – quiet transition is one that Harmann and his band (the Trouble Starts) wield deftly. It’s a use of light and dark that Harmann has figured out. When he goes louder, it only deepens. Sound at the Tractor for Harmann was particularly dialed in. No earplugs were needed and that may have been another reason the high end of the band’s clean sounds were so pristine. Harmann’s lyrics add a layer to his gentle use of distortion and volume. You are paying attention to his words and there is association. In “Beer from a Bottle” he sings, “I’ve been known to drink far too much. And to spend the day washing off the night before. This is not a swan song, this is not a memory.” The way he sings “drink” I hear “drift”.”
- Line Out | the Stranger Music Blog

STRANGER BAND OF THE WEEK 05.22.08 – 05.28.08

admin — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:12:59 +0000

“It’s hard to get ahead in Seattle’s highly saturated pool of singer/songwriters. Rocky Votolato, PWRFL Power, Tiny Vipers, Sera Cahoone—they’re all doing well for themselves. But for each successful acoustically inclined artist, there’s three dozen hopefuls waiting in line. Daniel G. Harmann knows the struggle; he’s been waiting his turn for years. But his new album, Anthems from the Gentle War (his fourth studio release produced by Graig Markel), is his best yet. The songs are bigger, filled with lush strings, chimes, and vocal harmonies. And though its themes are still deeply rooted in the “sad bastard” category, the album’s triumphant guitars and Markel’s sparkling production make it glow with optimism. Harmann might get his day yet.”

- the Stranger, BAND OF THE WEEK 05.22.08 – 05.28.08

KEXP Review

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:16:37 +0000

“Over the last several years and releases, Daniel G. Harmann has collaborated with many fine musicians including Head Like A Kite’s Trent Moorman and beloved songstress Rosie Thomas to name a few. There are few signs more indicative of talent than bringing in other talent. Most striking is Harmann’s sweet falsetto and backing melodies, which add up to an emotional breadth approaching that of Sigur Ros. The lush soundscapes are big enough to fill an arena and personal enough to whisper in your ear. Every song on the album is clean but not squeaky, consistent but never contrived. Upon first listen you may have a I know where he’s going with this moment, only to be proven wrong every time.”

- KEXP, February 2008

EXODUSTER.com Band of the Month

dgh — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 06:54:14 +0000

“At first blush, your expectations are quite low for Daniel G. Harmann’s eleven-song Anthems from the Gentle War; on a label never heard of, ok album design, and the simple fact that very few acts with someone’s name as the moniker are any good. Yet, after you progress past the opening number “I Swallowed Twelve Grenades,” where you think Harmann is just seconds away from launching into generic rock, your whole perception changes. There is no shift to crap and soon enough the six-minute atmospheric “The Trouble Starts” hooks your ear and lowers your pulse to create a simple joy of pleasure. This is Harmann’s fourth album and he shapes songs into a cross of Sigur Ros taking a more indie rock path to songwriting. Joining Harmann on this recording are Forrest Haskell, Brandon Miller, Trent Moorman, Graig Markel, Louis O’Callaghan, Robert Deeble, and Mike Honcho (the porn star from Talladega Nights). Not all of the songs exist as ethereal, atmospheric soundscapes with diversions to more standard song structures, but all provide a mellowing sheen that could easily be reworked to float you into space. Among the fantastic are – well the entire album to be honest. Even spots where you think there will be a downturn, Harmann turns it around and re-envisions the spectacular. Exhibit A is the third track “Beer From a Bottle” that opens as ordinary fare before moving to the compelling chorus that reshapes your imagine of the song. Others that follow suit include the beat-driven “A Dying Dove,” “Every Song is I Need You Tonight,” and “Wrists.” The more instrumental driven atmospheric haunts come courtesy of “I’ve Turned to a Life of Crime,” the uber slow mover “Go Now, Rush Ashore,” the unique riff under “Last Swim of the Year,” and quirky closer “Barnburners.” Finding Daniel G. Harmann is an absolute treasure and hopefully it’s a joy that you’ll spread to others. ” FEBRUARY ‘08 ARTIST OF THE MONTH
- Exoduster.com

Sound Magazine – November 2007

dgh — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 06:56:09 +0000

“The second full-length release from Phoenix native & current Seattleite Daniel G. Harmann goes on to follow the same blueprint that he has followed his entire career: just be patient, and good things will happen eventually. They do, as is made clear on “A Dying Dove”, which recalls Radiohead, if that band were willing to fit their sound into a nightclub. Harmann and his cast of rotating characters picks up speed quick. Thankfully, he doesn’t ape Thom York, but he does have the coveted gift to only speak when necessary. When he does, you always feel inclined to listen.”

- Sound Magazine, November 2007

The Wheel’s Still in Spin – “Anthems…” Review

dgh — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:23:16 +0000

“This album is full of musical landscapes that are lush, sincere, and diverse. He’s a singer-songwriter, but one who writes songs with a larger palette of emotions than most songwriters. This is the kind of album that would be perfect to listen to if you were taking a relaxing drive around the countryside, wanting to escape from, while keeping your mind focused on, a larger life.” BEST OF SEPTEMBER 2007
- The Wheel’s Still in Spin

Smother.net – “Anthems…” Review

dgh — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:19:30 +0000

“Beautifully woven atmospheres and crafty textures of sonic bliss greet the ear immediately as Anthems from the Gentle War waves its way over your body, lending a sensation not much unlike the best orgasm ever. Art rock that is unafraid of taking challenges to heart, “Anthems…” escorts you through the hallways of indie pop, rock, and post-rock with passionate catchy hooks. The long lost descendant of Sigur Ros and Low, Daniel G. Harmann waves his magic wand of awesome songwriting and invites you inside for a cup of tea and a good talk. Energetically subtle and sincere with emotional vocal deliveries presented with imaginative ethereal sonic spaciousness.” EDITOR’S PICK
- Smother.net