If you ask Jerrod Daniel about his favorite music, you might get an answer you didn't expect. It's kind of the feeling you get when you hear his music.  His unique approach to songwriting and gripping vocal style seem to pull you in, and take you to another place.  We pulled him away from his guitar and busy recording schedule to ask him his thoughts on the new album, about his life, and music in general. 

 

 

 
What style is your music?
I always get asked this question...ummm...I guess its usually based around me and my guitar, so I'd like to say folk, but sometimes when I get in the studio, or get an unction,  it becomes a lot more than that. I don't know, Neo Post Pop Folk Rock Bluesy Country Jazz? (laugh)
Who are your musical influences?
There are a lot of different people I admire in the music field. Apart from the famous ones, my good friend Peter (Dijkema) has left a huge impact on me as far as what I see in music. He kinda taught me to see through all the fancy playing, which is important, but to get to the real feeling of the music. Like the feeling you get when you listen to the early 50's Sun Sessions. Not that you can compare my stuff to those, but I can't even begin to describe how much I love the raw energy and feel of those recordings. When you cut through the different styles of stuff like Jazz, Blues, Country, Pop, Rock, Metal...and so on....each one still relies on the true emotion and feeling of the artists, and that's what influences me most. The artists I love are, of course The King, Cat Stevens, U2, Jim Croce, Lionel Richie, Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, America...I'm really getting into Jazz stuff lately... now don't get me started on all the classic R&B artists...wow...still a whole bunch you don't probably have time for me to list. 
The new album,
"What You Could Have Had", 
What's it all about?
Well I guess everybody makes decisions in their life, some big and some small.... And it's kinda about all of those choices. When I approached my Technical Director Arash with the title track, we knew instantly it was the album title. You know, it's about taking the high road or taking the low road. Sometimes people settle, instead of going for their dreams. Sometimes they go for their dreams, and take for granted the other things... really what they could have had...they don't see the big picture. The albums about some other personal stuff too, but I'm tight lipped on that.
You play a lot of instruments on the album, but you also feature some great musicians on the album. Tell us a little about them.
I pretty much play rhythm acoustic, electric lead, Spanish, and bass guitar throughout the album....and I play a little of the small percussion stuff...hey I play a mean shaker. And that's OK, but sometimes it's better to get a different persons style and inflection on things. I really feel fortunate in finding Todd (Holcomb) for the drum stuff. He is a monster. Really don't think there's anything he can't do, in one take... He is a real class act. As far as vocal stuff, Caitlin (Glass) is as good as they come. We were looking for someone to really contrast with my voice, but in a good way.  She was perfect for the project. Her voice is so classic, and is still very unique to her. . I don't think there's a note she can't hit, and she added some great things I didn't think about. She made me sound a lot better. J.T (Longoria)...What can I say...... he's a genius...Guitar God..Mixing Master...really ripped apart some solos for me. Some great piano stuff and that sexy saxaphone on "Sweet Refrain" was Scott (January). He's been a friend of mine now for a few years, even when I was not so easy to get along with. He has been kind of a mentor to me on this project giving me some invaluable advice and encouragement through a lot of stuff personal and music related. Paul Harrington was awesome. That harmonica....wow..you can hear it on "I Can Tell Your Love" and in the hidden track. Ken (Edwards), well you can hear him in "The Cold Weather"...his trumpet owns that song.  I'm sorry I only got to work with Jamie (Stafford) on one tune. I used to play for his youth group, now he's  a lot taller ....damn.. he can play that bass...makes me never want to touch a bass again...Im humbled. Paul Wiggins added some nice viola work...Eric Gephardt had one of the prettiest cellos I ever saw, you can hear him on "Encouragement". Ryan Powell helped me out with some bass stuff when we were first getting the project going....also the kids from the Red River Youth....when they came to the studio, that was one of my favorite tracking days. I guess I'll get in trouble if I don't mention Arash playing the wind chimes. 
What's your favorite track 
on the album?
  A lot of the songs have special meaning to me.....well...I don't want to tell you something cheesy like "all of them"....but I will say  "Encouragement" is really special to me just because I wrote it at camp, and it always takes me there when I hear it.
Why all the girl names on the album? 
"Isabella", 
"JinHee",
"Catalina"
Were they girlfriends?
  Ummm...well...no. JinHee is a really good friend of mine that inspired that song..."Isabella" was something I wrote for someone...and "Catalina"...well is ...Catalina. 
There are so many 
different styles on the album. 
Which do you enjoy playing the most?
   I guess I'm still trying to figure that out.
You've lived in a lot of different places, do you think that has helped you in songwriting?
  I guess, it has definitely added some experiences. I'm in Texas right now..God knows why..but Texas has been good to me. I've really been blessed here with some great friends. I guess moving around so much when I was younger kinda taught me to always look at stuff differently...not so permanent and unchanging...if that makes any sense.
When did you start playing music?
  I guess when I figured out I needed to get some emotions out and when I met Peter, I really got interested in the whole thing. He played me some Elvis..then it was over.
What do you want people to get out of your album?
  Ummm....I guess I want them to say..."That's so true..and I really feel like that sometimes" Everybody deals with stuff differently, me... I always turn to music..so it would make me happy to know somebody would turn on one of my tunes and get some kind of feeling, whatever they're looking for.
 

 

Click Here to go to the Album Page and read more interviews with other players from the album.

 


2002 Love Conquers All Records