:: KRFC Live at Lunch :: July 10 (noon) ::
:: Lucky Joe’s :: July 10 ::
:: Walnut Room :: July 11 :: (CD Release) ::
:: etown Hall :: July 12 ::
By Miranda Brooks
Too funky for Americana and too country for surf rock. Genre classification may be for the birds when it comes to Daniel Lawrence Walker’s sound.
The Texas-born and Nashville-based musician, who previously lived in Denver, is ‘coming home’ so-to-speak for his Colorado Connection CD Release Tour, a five-city ramble promoting his recently recorded solo effort Water and Stone.
“Colorado feels like home,” said Walker in a recent interview with The Marquee. “Every time I return I am reminded of the energy that fed my soul during the years spent living in Denver, which inspired most of the material you hear on the new album.”
Recorded live at The Toy Box Studio in East Nashville with minimal overdubs, Water and Stone – in its limited tour edition – boasts nine songs produced by Lij Shaw.
David Glasser of Airshow Mastering in Boulder will fully remaster the album to include four additional tracks released as a deluxe edition by Walker later this year.
Joining Walker on the album are friends Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters, who adds fiddle on “What Happens Next,” and singer/songwriter Dave Pahanish, who has penned several number one Billboard country music singles, lends vocals to “Sonoma County Line.”
“Nashville’s the place you go to see if what they said was so,” Walker said, admitting he’d borrowed this line from a favorite Drive-By Truckers tune, as he spoke affectionately of Music City’s captivating magic and challenging dynamics. And Walker attributes a great deal of his growth as a musician and songwriter to the Tennessee town where he has lived for over five years now.
As a self-managing artist, Walker appreciates the freedom to personally shape and mold his output, ultimately opening doors to explore new directions.
And on Water and Stone, Walker said that a fun part of the process was finding the right mix of other musicians to help create a ‘voice’ for his songs. “It is energy well spent to find untapped and unique resources when seeking support as a solo artist,” he said.
The result is a creative license highlighting the idea of the time it has taken to develop that ‘voice’ which he hopes will resonate among listeners. Add to that his time spent touring with Denver-based bluegrass band Oakhurst and it becomes clear Walker is a modern day rambling man. During 2011 and 2012, Walker gained experience and exposure with the “guerilla grass” roots band playing slide and lap steel guitar and providing vocals, while contributing behind the scenes with songwriting prowess and Nashville connections. Walker’s time with Oakhurst ended in 2012 after efforts of the two-year collaboration resulted in the band’s release of Barrel.
Walker will do a whirlwind tour through the state this month with back-to-back shows around Colorado within just a few short days. For his solo acoustic sets Walker will employ slide and looping skill, but he’ll also enlist support from notable Colorado players along the way.
The Colorado Connection Tour hinged originally from and percolates around the CD release show at which Walker will appear with David Petry on drums (The Love Royale), Ted Tilton on keys (DeadPhish Orchestra), and bassist Matt Skallenger. “This tour presents an opportunity to play with new bands making waves in the Colorado scene.” Walker said.
Walker will also have the full band at eTown Hall when he performs a co-headline show with Nederland’s Gipsy Moon. “eTown has such an amazing legacy of over twenty-one years, and to play the new hall in its first year of being open is an honor,” Walker said, adding,
“Returning my music to the place from where it mostly originated, to be heard for the first time in its fully realized form is an awesome feeling.”
:: Daniel Lawrence Walker ::
:: KRFC Live at Lunch :: July 10 (noon) ::
:: Lucky Joe’s :: July 10 ::
:: Walnut Room :: July 11 :: (CD Release) ::
:: etown Hall :: July 12 ::
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