Dan & The Wildfire - Smoke Signals

Dan & The Wildfire, formally known as Dan HL released their second album Tuesday titled "Smoke Signals."  The nine-track album packs a solid punch right off the bat, with a good mix of quick, fun songs later balanced out with some softer, lyric-heavy tunes.

Songs like "Wood and Wire" and "Keep Myself Alive" alone provide me with everything I've been looking for out of this band, and its no accident that they chose these songs to open and close the album respectively.  The singability of the lyrics, the harmonies, the horns -- they're such an easy band to get into, and with a constantly growing audience, I think they're really starting to hit their stride as a band.

"Good Enough" is a fast, in-your-face jam complete with a message embedded into chorus that everyone can relate to, making it one of the true highlights for me on the album, and the song I'm most looking forward to when I see these guys play live.  Its followed by two tracks, "Western Time" and "Sunday" that slowed things down and really drew me in, allowing me to catch my breath before it was all over.

The nine songs on "Smoke Signals" prove that Dan & The Wildfire is a much more dynamic band than their fist album, and solidifies them as one of the best up-and-coming bands in the Boston area.  You can check them out on iTunes, or catch them on Spotify, before they come back and play live in November.

New Single From Dan & The Wildfire

If you like music, you'll like Dan & The Wildfire.  If you don't like music, well, then they'll make you like it.

Dan, Kyle, Matt, Sam and Thom are back with their second album, expected in October.  It will be their second release, after the first "Nothing. Anything. Everything.," was released under the band name Dan HL.

While we all have to wait patiently for another month to hear the entire album, they have released their first single, "Californ-ia," available for streaming and download on Soundcloud.  Its got everything you need to get your feet wet with this band if you haven't already -- some nice harmony, a killer keys solo and all-around brilliant songwriting.

As always, don't forget to check out their Facebook page, and scope out their first record on Spotify.

Tune for Thought: Dan & The Wildfire

Abrasive folk like you've never seen it before!  Formerly known as Dan HL, Dan & The Wildfire has hit the stage, as well as the studio, with a new and improved sound that I think you're going to dig.

Dan, Thom, Matt, Sam and Kyle have played from Boston to D.C., and after being lucky enough to spend some time with them in studio while they recorded their second album, expected to release sometime this Fall, I have to say that with their talent and their unique sound, they are one of the best local acts in the Boston area.

Keep an eye out for their new album, and don't forget to check them out on Spotify (under Dan HL) or on their new Facebook page.

Love in Stockholm and Dan HL

So far, I'd like to think that I've entertained your eyes and minds, and I haven't forgotten the ears.  As it was with The Weekend, this would normally be our "Top iPod Jams" section, but for better or worse, the focus will fall heavy on two bands this week.

Love in Stockholm formed in Allston, MA, and is one of the best local bands I've seen in a long damn time, the other being the next band I'll mention.  They fashion themselves a rock 'n soul band, and they deliver on that with every song. Check them out on Spotify or iTunes, and visit their site, www.loveinstockholm.com. If you're into it, follow them on Twitter @loveinstockholm.  The video above has got to be my favorite song, "Running In Place."





In a perfect world, I'd be in a band named Dan HL.  The Boston-based "abrasive folk" rockers play out from DC to Maine, and for my money, are one of the best shows around (even when they play in the basement of a bar that only allows three of their five members to play at one time). Check them out on Spotify, iTunes, @dan_HL, or at www.danhlmusic.com, and watch their live performance of "Indie Film Actor" from NYC.