Dan Whitehouse

Career

The son of a Wolverhampton community radio pioneer, Dan was inspired by his father's record collection, gaining a "deep respect for song-writing technique".
After stints performing with Naomi (1998-2000) and fronting rock band Sonara, who performed at Reading Festival, Dan went solo in 2007. He has since supported such acts as Maria McKee, Julian Cope, Peter Green, Josh Ritter, Caitlin Rose, 10cc, World Party, Joseph Arthur, Willy Mason and Simone Felice.

Dan released his debut record, the seven-track The Balloon EP, in 2009. This was followed by The Bubble EP later that year. Lead track, You Can't Give Me Anymore, was described as being reminiscent "of waves crashing on a beach." The track also featured Dan's first collaboration with pedal steel guitar player B. J. Cole.

His final release of 2009 was The Box EP. Collectively, the three 2009 EPs form a trilogy exploring themes of "life, love, loss and happiness."

Dan's self-titled debut album was released in 2012, and was partially recorded in the songwriter's flat over a period of time with acoustic instrumentation. The album also included Theremin, an electric screwdriver, and, on the song "My Stupid Face", ambient sounds recorded at Birmingham shopping centre the Bullring. ."

In 2013, Dan released his more ambitious second full album, Reaching For A State of Mind. Recorded in a professional studio with producer Michael Clarke and a full band, notable guests included Ezio guitarist Booga, Helen Lancaster from folk act The Old Dance School, Fairport Convention's PJ Wright, and Duke Special's percussionist Chip Bailey. The album's 11 tracks were culled from an initial long-list of 35 home-recorded demos".

Despite the inclusion of two notable folk musicians, the album is described as sitting "within a fairly wide spectrum of pop-rock-folk-Americana-roots influences."
Artree described the album as "more intricately crafted and refined" than previous work, and a "musical evolution."

The album was launched at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, in September 2013, with a special guest appearance from Duke Special. The show was a sell-out. After an opening solo set, Duke later joined Dan on stage for a version of Neil Young's Helpless.

Four previously unreleased tracks recording during the Reaching For A State Of Mind sessions were later released as Reaching For A Further State of Mind EP.

In 2014, Dan toured North America for the first time with accordion-playing German-American singer-songwriter Anja McCloskey, and released a joint-EP, Still, which was recorded in Birmingham. The two met while at university together in London, and Anja has described their collaboration as "alternative folk."

During August 2014, Dan performed at Moseley Folk Festival between The Felice Brothers and Richard Thompson where he performed material from his third album Raw State. The album features both new tracks and reimagined versions of previously released songs, and was produced by Danny George Wilson and Chris Clarke of Danny and the Champions of the World. The album continues Dan's collaboration with B. J. Cole.

Sound

Dan Whitehouse's music has been described as "romanticist folk" and "alternative folk rock on a grand imposing scale". South Wales Evening Post described Dan as a "reflective songwriter ... a sensitive singer, with blues and folk leanings.". He has also been compared to Nick Drake and Richard Hawley, "an artist to whom he should both be justly compared and share the same sort of critical acclaim. Reviewing Reaching For A State Of Mind, Folking praised the album's "searing honesty"

Dan cites artists such as The Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, eels and John Grant as among his influences.

Albums

2016

CD/Digital That's Where I Belong Reveal Records