By: Megan Pennington
As I have spent time in the music industry, I have found myself in countless smoky bars at open mics or solo sets, listening to the soulful lyrics and easy-going chords of someone who is trying to make a few bucks to make it back home. And what I find fascinating is that you can hear anything, and I do mean anything, played on a six-string wooden hunk of wood that we call an acoustic guitar. A delectable range of talent and genre can really bring the whole world together.
I'm thinking about this rabit-hole brainworm because I came across Daniel Schamroth.
British, Devon-born singer-songwriter Daniel Schamroth is celebrated for his stripped back, soulful, indie folk anthems. His lo-if sound sits somewhere between the worlds of Noel Gallagher, Ryan Adams, and Neil Young, paying homage to these influences while carving out his own emotionally charged style. Schamroth’s music is certain to connect with audiences through his raw storytelling and introspective lyrics.
Earlier this year, Schamroth released Major Companion, a 6-track EP produced by two time Grammy-winner Guy Massey, which racked up over 150,000 streams on Spotify. In May, the world's most iconic guitar brand Gibson announced a new series of Acoustic Sessions with Schamroth selected as the first artist to perform live at the Gibson Garage in London.
Described as “an incredible talent” by BBC Introducing and “wholly uplifting” by American Songwriter, Schamroth has previously supported Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, and shared the stage with the likes of The Charlatans and Reverend & The Makers. His music has been used by Formula One racing team Oracle Red Bull Racing, and featured in the Australian film Goldstone. Schamroth is also the frontman for Indie band The Loft Club. The bands 2021 debut album Dreaming The Impossible, released via So, Let’s Talk/Lightyear/Virgin Music, included a single titled “Flicker” featuring Grammy-winning singer Lisa Loeb, which reached Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay Chart in the US.
I had the chance to sit down and submerge myself in his latest release "Skyscraper".
Upon first note, you are immediately transcended into your favorite local singer/songwriter venue with a cheap beer and a good plate of bar bites. This track is a stripped down version of his song, which includes simply Daniel and a guitar. The mixture of arpeggiating and easy strumming create a dichotomy of rhythm that makes you feel like you are walking down that city sidewalk toward the Skyscraper.
The guitar track is so simple, yet there is enough movement and life within the chord progression that if you aren't paying attention, you may mistake some percussive strumming as a set of brushes on a snare drum. Only a true master of their craft can create an entire band with just an acoustic guitar.
After you find yourself infatuated with the guitar playing, you are met with some of the most raw and organic vocals there has been in modern music in a long time. A beautiful tenor range with a Beatles-esque timbre. If there were plans for a Woodstock 25, I would be the first to petition that they host artists like Daniel.
This song is simply sweet, in all the right ways, and I couldn't help but listen to it on repeat once I found it on our desk.
The songwriter shares, “Skyscraper was written in the early throes of romance, when you first meet someone. You feel like the world's your oyster and you're out exploring that secret world together, feeling unstoppable and full of possibility.”
New love brings that giddy, inspired feeling that makes you feel like you could run a marathon or win the lottery, and this track brings such a retrospective feeling to that moment of bliss -- the adult's point of view if you will. Beautifully done.
LISTEN TO SKYSCRAPER:
Follow Daniel Schamroth:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielschamroth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielSchamrothMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danielschamroth
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