Biography
Danielson Famile channeled the fervent, quirky indie rock shaped by Daniel Smith alongside assorted collaborators that included his siblings. Their initial string of full-length releases appeared under the Danielson Famile banner, among them the gospel-oriented debut A Prayer for Every Hour from 1995, yet the lo-fi endeavor had shortened its name to Danielson by the time Ships arrived in 2006. Into the following decade the outfit sustained its whimsical, energetic, and unconventional rock approach, with Smith's ninth album Solid Gold Heart in 2014 emerging as a joint effort between Danielson and Jad Fair.
Daniel Smith submitted his senior thesis at Rutgers University in the form of what would become Danielson Famile's inaugural album A Prayer for Every Hour, earning an A along with the foundation of an extended career in gospel-inflected indie rock. Tooth & Nail Records issued the 1995 project, which presented Smith supported by his siblings whose ages spanned from 12 into their early twenties. The family ensemble conveyed traditional Christian teachings without relying on conventional religious imagery, favoring instead a creative and unconventional sound reminiscent of a spontaneous roadside revival. Kramer, known for work with Galaxie 500, Low, and Palace Brothers, handled production on the 1997 follow-up Tell Another Joke at the Ol' Choppin' Block.
Smith introduced Tri-Danielson in 1998 to represent his three separate musical paths: solo work, performances with family members, and the more rock-oriented project Danielsonship. Tri-Danielson, Vol. 1 (Alpha) appeared that same year, with Tri-Danielson, Vol. 2 (Omega) following in 1999; both garnered considerable attention from the broader music press even though their lyrical content remained explicitly spiritual. Building on that exposure, the band moved to Secretly Canadian Records in 2001 and parted ways with the overtly faith-based Tooth & Nail label. Steve Albini replaced longtime producer Kramer for the resulting 2001 album Fetch the Compass Kids. Smith next oversaw Brother: Son, a solo outing issued in 2004 under the name Br. Danielson. For 2006's Ships, released simply as Danielson, he assembled every past Famile contributor, drawing guests that included singer/songwriters Sufjan Stevens and Chris Cohen plus Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier.
After leaving Secretly Canadian, Danielson issued several singles across Kill Rock Stars, Sounds Familyre, and Fire Records in the ensuing years. An entirely new lineup eventually reconvened for the group's eighth studio album Best of Gloucester County in 2011, a release whose title did not indicate a greatest-hits collection. The subsequent effort, 2014's Solid Gold Heart, paired the band with Half Japanese founder Jad Fair, who supplied the lyrics and lead vocals while Smith wrote the music, the Famile supplied backing, and Kramer recorded and mixed the sessions; the project appeared on Joyful Noise Recordings, then also home to Fair and Deerhoof. Danielson and the label continued their association with the 2018 Snap Outtavit EP.
Daniel Smith submitted his senior thesis at Rutgers University in the form of what would become Danielson Famile's inaugural album A Prayer for Every Hour, earning an A along with the foundation of an extended career in gospel-inflected indie rock. Tooth & Nail Records issued the 1995 project, which presented Smith supported by his siblings whose ages spanned from 12 into their early twenties. The family ensemble conveyed traditional Christian teachings without relying on conventional religious imagery, favoring instead a creative and unconventional sound reminiscent of a spontaneous roadside revival. Kramer, known for work with Galaxie 500, Low, and Palace Brothers, handled production on the 1997 follow-up Tell Another Joke at the Ol' Choppin' Block.
Smith introduced Tri-Danielson in 1998 to represent his three separate musical paths: solo work, performances with family members, and the more rock-oriented project Danielsonship. Tri-Danielson, Vol. 1 (Alpha) appeared that same year, with Tri-Danielson, Vol. 2 (Omega) following in 1999; both garnered considerable attention from the broader music press even though their lyrical content remained explicitly spiritual. Building on that exposure, the band moved to Secretly Canadian Records in 2001 and parted ways with the overtly faith-based Tooth & Nail label. Steve Albini replaced longtime producer Kramer for the resulting 2001 album Fetch the Compass Kids. Smith next oversaw Brother: Son, a solo outing issued in 2004 under the name Br. Danielson. For 2006's Ships, released simply as Danielson, he assembled every past Famile contributor, drawing guests that included singer/songwriters Sufjan Stevens and Chris Cohen plus Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier.
After leaving Secretly Canadian, Danielson issued several singles across Kill Rock Stars, Sounds Familyre, and Fire Records in the ensuing years. An entirely new lineup eventually reconvened for the group's eighth studio album Best of Gloucester County in 2011, a release whose title did not indicate a greatest-hits collection. The subsequent effort, 2014's Solid Gold Heart, paired the band with Half Japanese founder Jad Fair, who supplied the lyrics and lead vocals while Smith wrote the music, the Famile supplied backing, and Kramer recorded and mixed the sessions; the project appeared on Joyful Noise Recordings, then also home to Fair and Deerhoof. Danielson and the label continued their association with the 2018 Snap Outtavit EP.