International Pop Overthrow Artist Interview – Adam Daniel

PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

Adam Daniel (AD): My latest album is called Pop, Baby. It’s a mashup of Elton John piano, glam rock guitars, Beach Boys vocal stacks, and new wave synth candy. All my favorite things. The album happened when I realized it’d been over a decade since my debut Blue Pop. I’d been writing and producing… Crazy how time gets away. It’s had a great reception so far. My fans are long-suffering and awesome.

The Recording Process:  There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago.  Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way.  Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

AD: The album was done fully DIY. I wrote arranged, produced, performed, recorded, mixed, and mastered it on a Macbook Pro. Took two years from start to finish. Along the way, I had every bug, problem, and setback you can imagine. Totally worth it. Probably couldn’t live through it twice.

Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?

AD: I dig them all, but “Lullaby” is special to me because my daughter was born while I was recording it. And “Hold On” is the only song I’ve ever written to myself, so that’s an interesting confessional moment!

As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

AD: Yeah, it’s a weird scene… The good news is that the technology exists to record an album at home for relatively little money. Also, there are effective ways to promote yourself outside the traditional system. That said, it still takes a major label to really hit, and those labels grow less musical and more corporate each passing year.

Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years?  How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music?  Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?

AD Hmm, interesting question… Has the way people listen to music changed? I still discover new stuff through word of mouth and on the radio, and still mostly listen in the car. LA is a great city for music listening in the car, what with all the traffic jams.

I would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them.  Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

AD: Right now, I’m too busy writing and producing to think about my next album. Hope it isn’t another 14 years! I’m excited about the artists I’m working with. After spending two years recording myself, it’s nice to do some teamwork again.

What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

AD: I’m all about boutique recording plugins right now. It’s amazing, the realism of what’s out there for the price compared to hardware (not that hardware isn’t still tops).

Okay – time for some light humor!  Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us! 

AD: 17 years old. Singing lead in a Skid Row style hair metal band. Stage dived into a crowd of 20. Broke my foot. Next two gigs on crutches.

Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?

AD: Brian Wilson, because, of course!

Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions.   What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”?  (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)

AD: Honestly, I’m influenced by everything I hear, from big band jazz to EDM. Can’t even begin to formulate a Top 5 albums list, though for sure, The Beach Boys Endless Summer would be on it.

We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?

AD: My favorite stuff lately hasn’t been Powerpop. I love the Kacey Musgraves record—amazing songwriting. I love Seven Lions. That’s trance/dubstep. Oh, and check out “The End (Budo remix)” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. That track makes me feel good about what’s happening in music now.

Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time, but the reality is rarely the case for most of them. We are always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’

AD: The past couple years I’ve been 50% music production and 50% Adam Daniel Media, which is a firm I started that does branding, web design, copywriting, graphic design, ebooks, etc.

Okay, last question:  Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?

AD: It’s all at www.adamdaniel.com, thanks!