Danielson is an American rock band from Clarksboro, New Jersey, that plays indie pop gospel music. The group consists of frontman Daniel Smith and a number of various artists with whom he collaborates. Smith has also released solo work as Brother Danielson.

When joined by his family the band is known as Danielson Famile or Danielson Family, whose members have included Smith; his "siblings Andrew, David, Megan, and Rachel; wife Elin; friends Christiaan & Melissa Palladino; [and] daughters Lilly and Ida". Sufjan Stevens has also recorded and performed with the group.

The band is known for Smith's squeaky, falsetto vocals, innovative musical arrangements, and matching uniforms "that act, according to Daniel, as 'visual reminders of the spiritual and emotional healing taking place' within audience members." During some performances Smith has "worn a nine-foot tall, hand-made nine-fruit tree to 'bear the good fruit,'" in reference to the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

History

In 1993, while attending Rutgers University as a senior, Daniel Smith experienced a spiritual reawakening: <blockquote>"This was the year I stopped running away from home, picked up my acoustic guitar again and changed from being Dan back to Daniel. I woke up to the fact that I have an amazing family, an amazing childhood and I began to relate everything I was thinking and doing with this in mind... I began reading the Bible and praying again and songs and art started flowing. I would meet with my dad and talk philosophy and theology and I became a child again."</blockquote>Smith has cited the major influence his musician father had on him growing up and the importance of lyrical content. Smith began recording songs that would later compose the album A Prayer for Every Hour: "some from my solo 4-track, some with my friends Jason Faunce and Missy Forsyth backing and some with my brothers and sisters backing. Danielson became the name of the songs that I write. I had become "Daniel" and realized that I am a son."

In June 2014, Danielson and Jad Fair (of Half Japanese) released a collaborative album "Solid Gold Heart". The album came about as part of Jad Fair's Artist In Residence project with Indianapolis label Joyful Noise Recordings.

Daniel Smith has cited his musical influences as including "T.Rex, Rapeman, B.A.L.L., Syd Barrett, Bob Dylan, Bongwater, My Bloody Valentine, Beat Happening, Cypress Hill, Ween, Donovan, Sonic Youth, Royal Trux, Beatles, Half Japanese, A Tribe Called Quest, [[David Bowie|[David] Bowie]], Can, Pixies, Minutemen, James Brown, Tom Waits, Daniel Johnston, Brian Eno, Larry Norman, Captain Beefheart and more."

Discography

Studio albums

  • A Prayer for Every Hour, Danielson, Independent, 1994
  • Tell Another Joke at the Ol' Choppin' Block, Danielson Famile, Tooth and Nail, 1997
  • Tri-Danielson!!! (Alpha), Danielson, Tooth and Nail, 1998
  • Tri-Danielson!!! (Omega), Danielson, Tooth and Nail, 1999
  • Fetch the Compass Kids, Danielson Famile, Secretly Canadian, 2001
  • Brother Is to Son, Brother Danielson, Secretly Canadian, 2004
  • Ships, Danielson, Secretly Canadian, 2006
  • Best of Gloucester County, Danielson, Sounds Familyre, 2011
  • Solid Gold Heart, Jad Fair & Danielson, Sounds Familyre, 2014

Compilations

  • Trying Hartz (two-disc retrospective), Danielson, Secretly Canadian, 2008

EPs

  • Insound Tour Support, Soul Junk + Danielson, Insound, 1998
  • Wow To The Deadness, Steve Taylor and the Danielson Foil, Splint Entertainment, 2016
  • Snap Outtavit, Danielson, Joyful Noise, 2018

Singles

  • "Flip Flop Flim Flam", Danielson Famile, Fluevog, 2001
  • "The Kid" / "Five Stars and Two Thumbs Up", Brother Danielson, Secretly Canadian, 2003
  • "When It Comes To You I'm Lazy" / "Goody, Goody", Danielson Kill Rock Stars, 2006
  • "I'm Slow But I'm Sloppy" / "Did I Step On Your Remix", Danielson, Anticon Records, 2006
  • "Dry Goods Dry Power" / "Left-Handed Smoke Shifter", Danielson, Sounds Familyre, 2006
  • "Our Givest (Odd Nosdam Remix)" / "Jokin' At the Block (Dymaxion Remix)", Danielson, Secretly Canadian, 2008
  • "Moment Soakers" / "Eagle", Danielson, Sounds Familyre, 2009
  • "Grow Up" / "Wheel in the Sky" (Journey cover), Danielson, Fire, 2011
  • "Expectorance", Danielson, Joyful Noise Recordings, 2012
  • "The True Wheel", (Brian Eno cover) Danielson, Joyful Noise Recordings, 2018
  • "Visions of the Sugar Plum Fairy”, Danielson, Joyful Noise Recordings, 2020

DVDs

  • Tooth & Nail Videography – 1993–99, Tooth & Nail Records, 2000
  • Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music, Blank Stare, 2006
  • Danielson: A Family Movie (or, Make A Joyful Noise HERE), Homevision, 2007

Compilation appearances

  • "Song for Every Speaker" – Art Core Volume 2, Tooth & Nail, 1996
  • "Smooth Death" – Tooth & Nail Rock Sampler, Volume 1, Tooth & Nail, 1997
  • "Allhallow's Eve" – The Unaccompanied Voice: An A Capella Compilation, Secretly Canadian, 2000
  • "Who are Parents?" – Better Than the Beatles: A Tribute to the Shaggs, Animal World, 2001
  • "Nothing to Do" – Dimension Mix: A Tribute to Bruce Haack, Eenie Meenie, 2005
  • "My Lion Sleeps Tonight" – Mews Too: An Asthmatic Kitty Compilation, Asthmatic Kitty, 2006
  • "Worried Shoes" – I Killed the Monster: 21 Artists Performing the Songs of Daniel Johnston, Second Shimmy, 2006
  • "Happy Days Are Here Again" – Song of America, Split Rock Records / Thirty One Tigers, 2007

Soundtracks

  • Electric Jesus (Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture, Various Artists), Joyful Noise, 2021

References

  • Sounds Familyre - Record Label Site
  • Danielson: A Family Movie
  • Cokemachineglow Interview/Concert Review
  • Mstation Interview w/ Daniel Smith
  • Trouser Press entry