It never ceases to amaze me just how strong my calling to music really is.  I chose to take a break from my life in music last October...thinking that some time off from playing live would do me some good.  Last year was primarily a year of solo shows for me, and to be quite honest it gets pretty lonely on stage night after night.  Not to mention monotonous.  It wasn't long before I found myself complaining about playing the same songs over and over, doubting my ability to perform effectively, and questioning if I should even continue to pursue a career in music at all.  I took all of this into consideration and concluded that a nice long winter break could help me sort through all of this and decide what, if anything, I would do next.

I needed to work, so I agreed to come on board with a friend's promotional products company and offer my marketing expertise to her organization.  Me.  In an office.  9 to 5.  Every week day.  Oh my God.  At any rate, while I do enjoy the workings of marketing and graphic design, the idea of investing my life long term in that scenario just spooks me.  And the long winter break I wanted to take away from my music and creative life was subconsciously and abruptly interrupted.

Within a month's time I found myself mysteriously compelled to produce a one man YouTube show.  Seriously.  The idea came over me and literally took control of my body.  Before I knew what hit me I had purchased a semi expensive camcorder, new audio cords and some sound effects.  Next thing I knew I was designing my "set" where I would shoot my episode introductions and promo pieces for a, shall we say, very loose concept YouTube show.  My scripts, if you wanna call them that, are written in my morning pages (journal) on the spot, minutes before I shoot.  My special guests don't know they're gonna be special guests until I turn the camera on them.  I have no idea what an episode will be until it's done.  It all depends on the footage I have acquired, and how I am guided to twist it!  I must admit, the first two episodes have been fun to put together.  And while the show hasn't exactly enjoyed massive YouTube popularity, there is a great satisfaction of just being creative.  And yes, of course, I have been including segments of me playing my songs alone in my music room.   

So, in short.  I guess that's why it's called "a calling..." because if you choose to not to answer, a dream will call again...

...and again...

in Peace,
Daniel
 

I can't believe I just typed the words "countdown to youtube fame."  But I did, and I am.  Yes, it's true...I'm in the middle of production for the first episode of "Daniel Link: My YouTube Show"...and of course, it will be chocked full of Christmas goodies.  It all starts Tuesday, December 16 on YouTube.com/link2song.

The whole concept of doing something for YouTube has been in the back of my mind for over a year, but until now I haven't had the time (or motivation) to pursue it.  But since I've shut down my live shows until sometime next spring, I really wanted to find a way to keep my performance chops up, be creative, and ultimately not fade away. This seemed perfect. 

At first I thought I would shoot "exclusive" live footage of me performing my songs at my home studio, and post them on YouTube every week or so.  But after I got my new camcorder in my hot little hands, my mind started to flood with ideas...and suddenly I realized the potential to do so much more.  Let's face it, I've always wanted to have my own TV show...and YouTube seemed custom made for someone like me.  There is no long term plan in place as to format; all I know is that the first episode will have 4 parts.  Two live performances, and two "other" pieces.  Oh, and it's my Christmas Special as well.  As to the episodes that will follow...all I can say is this: I'm gonna do them...I'm not going to do what people who know my work might expect...and you'll either love it or not.  But I hope you do!

Be Kind
Daniel

Don't have the words to express my happiness, gratitude and relief about Obama winning this election...needless to say I am all of the above and more. 

I'm also very pleased to announce that my song "Be Kind" is part of the iTunes iMix "Yes We Can", a celebration of Barack Obama's election.  Also inlcuded is John Mayer, Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp, K.D. Lang and Jack Johnson.  Check it out and please give it a 5 star rating...it's already the 1 rated iMix for all the artists listed above, please help me sustain that! Click here!

Also, my debut ep "Out of the Silence" is now available for digital dowload on iTunes.  The digital release of "Out of the Silence" includes brand new liner notes plus the bonus track "Dance With Me".  Add it to your ipods and mp3 players by clicking here!

Be Kind, Daniel

Wow...I haven't blogged in a very long time...but I'm back today, and will probably be doing a lot of journaling over the next few months.  In fact, I may start doing a weekly blog just to keep in touch with you and my creativity. 

Tonight is the last show of my 2008 "Songs on Piano" season at Mozart's.  And I feel somewhat relieved and somewhat anxious about that.  I don't like seeing my gig calendar empty, and yet I really need a little bit of a break from playing live.  I've taken on a second career in the graphic arts and marketing field, which I'm enjoying, plus I'm working on new songs and recording with my good friend Bryan Anderton.  So, I'm really pretty busy these days.  The decision to bring my 2008 season to an early close seemed like a good solution.  Mozart's has asked me to fill dates in November that I'm going to have to decline...HOWEVER...I am looking into doing a special Christmas show with my friends Chelle Murrey and Paul Martinez in December, so the possibility of doing another show this year is very real.  I'll let you know how that turns out.

Other noteworthy news is that next week, on Halloween to be exact, I will finally release my 1999 debut EP "Out of the Silence" on iTunes.  "Silence" has never been available for digital download, and I decided it was time to make it so.  I'm calling it the "10 Year Anniversary Edition"...even though it's only been 9 years...oh well...it looks good in print!  The digital release edition features brand new liner notes plus my latest song "Dance With Me" as a bonus track.  I hope those of you out there who really like my music will treat yourself to "Out of the Silence"...because essentially you will be getting my very first demo's.  In fact, the first recording I did of "Altar Boy" is track 1 on "Silence"...it's a completely different version from the "Color of Rain" take of that song.  Plus there are a couple of gems that I no longer play in my live show including "Nature of Love" and "Constant Faithfulness".  If you do happen to include "Out of the Silence" on your iPod and or iPhone, please let me know!

Well. I'm off to take a long October morning walk...I promise I will be blogging on a more regular basis this fall and winter!

Be kind,
Daniel

It was an unusually calm, quiet night at Mozart's last night.  There was very little in the way of wind off the lake, and despite the dry heat the crowd seemed very light and peaceful.  I presented a re-tooled show last night by incorporating various drums tracks via an iPod hook up to my sound system, and I also introduced my new, percussion inspired song "Feather Falling".  The only word I can use to describe the feel of my show last night is hypnotic.  I felt it, the audience felt it...the night and the moon felt it.  Dialing a heavy reverb effect on my vocal, the music seemed more like an apparition rather than a fixture of the atmosphere at Mozart's.  Pleasant smiles and a hand full of tips acknowledged my performance...and applause rippled lightly over the decks as I ended a song...it was all in all an enjoyable, if not quiet evening concert.

As an artist, and more particular as a performer, I have to be careful how I evaluate a relatively casual crowd response.  It's easy to fall into the thinking of "what am I doing wrong?  Why aren't they howling with admiration???"  But with me in particular, I realize my brand of music is reflective and even mystical at times...especially when I present it in the format of a solo singer songwriter showcase.  I'm not a slap your leg and tongue in check performer...I am actually transmitting sensitive emotional energy...energy that is better received almost subconsciously.  It's subtle yet powerful.  I noticed as people came and left through the night the difference in their demeanor at both points.  When people arrived they would be slightly disconnected with a soft anxiety.  When they left...they drifted out as if they were walking on clouds.  I'm not claiming that  I  alone created that energy shift, but I was certainly a part of it.  There was something quite whimsical lingering over Mozart's last night...and as an artist is is my job to assess the overall feel and vibe of my performance environment.  I was simply going with the energy flow of the night...and yes, it wasn't a fever pitch...but it was worth being a part of...something even better than cheering and dancing...it was peaceful and light...

Much thanks...Daniel

Last night's set:

Evergreen

Tangled

Believe

Feather Falling

Angel Falls

Vicious Circle

True Perspective

Someone in Austin

Essence

Sweet Baby

Vision of Colour

Color of Rain

Worship Me 

Christine

Altar Boy

So, Goodbye

Thought I'd post the lyrics to my newest song...just to give a hint of what my next CD will feel like...while all of the new songs that I've written over the past year will not be unveiled until the next CD release, "Feather Falling" will most likely start popping up in my shows...perhaps even as soon as next week!

Feather Falling

Music and lyrics by Daniel Link

July 16, 2008

Said, I'm walking out now

  Steady on my feet…

Since my little wipe out,

    I slip between three sheets…

I'm standing in an outhouse…

   I'm walking in my sleep…

  Flick fandango pow wow

    The truth is there to cheat…

Feather falling

     On the ground…

  Feather falling…

It's an unnerving sound…

This is getting ugly

    This is gonna stink…

Truth keeps coming on me

       It made me stop and think…

I don't mean this smugly

    I can't serve up something neat…

  Can't let this vulture hug me,

   But it will always save my seat…

Feather falling

     On the ground…

  Feather falling…

It's an unnerving sound…

Alas, the management at Mozart's double booked tonight's show on the lakeside deck, and me being one of infinite kindness decided to step aside and let the other band have tonight's slot.  No.  It has nothing to do with the 101 temperature.  Really.

In truth, I am in the middle of restructuring my live show anyway, and I could use the two week break to work out the kinks.  I started out this year with a return to basics, a return to my roots, by revisiting some of my older songs and presenting a solo singer songwriter showcase build around them.  It felt good to be doing my songs in this way, and in fact it has been very good for me.  But with mid summer beating down I am again looking at my solo show under new light.  Most of my engagements are 2 hours, and frankly, 2 hours of voice and piano can get a little monotonous.  So I've managed to get creative with my gear by incorporating various effects, backing tracks and changing the voicing on my piano for a couple of tunes.  And best of all I have a brand new sound system for live shows that I've been playing with ever since I got it this week.  The new show will debut August 8th at Mozart's.  I am also adding some new songs to my set including one I just wrote yesterday called "Feather Falling" and an obscure Fleetwood Mac song by Christine McVie called "Honey Hi".  So please come out and let me know what you think.

Until next time...

Daniel

Record high temperatures and thick humidity didn't stop us from putting forth a great night of music at Mozart's last night.  My good friend Chelle Murrey joined me onstage last night as we traded off songs for our friends and fans alike.  I must admit, Mozart's has become a venue that has helped me become comfortable performing alone.  However, having Chelle with me last night was a nice balance...I heard from lot's of people that we compliment each other.  Chelle has a nice range of material that oscillates between songs that put's smiles on faces and a tapping in toes ("If I had Boot's Like Emmylou's")  to tender, heart felt ballad's that emit a sense of wonder and scale ("Appalachian Music").  It was a nice transition between my soul searching chants ("True Perspective") and my love gone wrong songs ("Angel Falls").  I think the next time we do this, we will be more prepared to actually accompany each other on various songs.  We tend to play well together anyway, and piano and guitar make for a nice listen.

True to my performances at Mozart's, I was approached by a young woman after the show who thanked me deeply for the evening of music.  She said everything she heard was right in line with her life, she called it a cinematic experience.  Again, this just affirms to me that my music is laced with powerful medicine...as I always hope for each time I sit down to write something.  I have to admit, I have and still do get caught up with the idea of glamour  and fame that goes with being a singer songwriter.  But that aspect of this path is always so empty.  To hear someone like this beautiful young woman who comes to me after a performance saying that my music touched and connected on a spiritual level...that's the real reward of doing what I do.  It's complete.  All of my songs...every one of them...are rooted in meaningful inspiration from people I love, or a significant, live changing event.  That inspiration is then cycled through me and takes form as music and lyrics, then is released back to those who listen...and when the inspiration is transmitted without losing it's potency, and in fact resonates an emotional response, that to me suggests life.  It completes a circle.  More than all the reviews I've received, all the songwriting awards, all the CD sales and chart toppers I've acquired, nothing instills the feeling of success more than hearing that my music made a difference in someones life...even if it was a small difference...even if for a few minutes...knowing that I helped someone feel better is enough to encourage me to continue on my path in music.