The new, self-titled full length from Charleston, SC’s Dangermuffin, reaches sunward, elevating the band’s role as a well rooted, unparalleled presence that crosses the borders of Americana, Folk, Jam, and Rock. While many artists have been referred to as defying genre, with this group of creatives it is truly accurate. Mostly, Dangermuffin are storytellers, drawing from the expansive palette of western music to color and shade their mindful lyricism, creating contemplative melodic journeys that reinvigorate the soul.
Following the release of Heritage in 2017, the band toured extensively in support of the release. Indeed, it’s through their captivating live performances that the band turns fans into family. Whether gracing the stages at festivals such as Wanee, AllGood, Wakarusa, and Gathering of the Vibes, or sharing bills with Hot Tuna, Grace Potter, moe, Keller Williams, Leftover Salmon, and many others, Dangermuffin is dedicated to bringing their healing magic to the masses. During that time, they tried on various iterations and instrumentations, ultimately returning to the organic feel of the original trio of vocalist Dan Lotti, guitarist Mike Sivilli, and drummer / bassist Steven Sandifer.
When the great pandemic spread across the globe, the band took time to reflect where they were as artists. With touring on hold, the band took time to explore other passions. Lotti and Sivilli began working in the film industry, both creating and curating music with the firm Morning Moon Productions. Their most recent project Wildflower premiered at the Toronto film festival and is now streaming on Hulu. Sandifer began his journey as a studio engineer, producer, session musician, and songwriter. He produced songs for artists like Admiral Radio and Lulu the Giant, and has produced, performed, and recorded many remote recording sessions from his studio.
Yet the music they create together as Dangermuffin was never far from their hearts, eventually decamping to a cabin in the North Carolina mountains for an extended songwriting retreat. Starting with a mix of ‘loose’ voice memos that Lotti collected over the previous couple of years and musical ideas brought by each of the members of the band, over several days, they played with these sprouting ideas, recording many, many hours of demos and ‘jams.’
After spending some time listening to their sketches and unwrapping the songs within, the band turned to the vast halls of Echo Mountain, a church turned into a legendary recording studio in the heart of Asheville, NC, to track the record. “We found the environment to be exceptional for the final writing and arranging needed to finish the songs” says Sandifer. From there, Sivilli took the lead, handling much of the overdub sessions, edits, and initial mixing. Sandifer did much of the editing, as well as some of the overdub sessions in Charleston. They then passed the music along to longtime friend Majeed Fick for final mixing. Vlado Meller mastered the album.
Thematically, Dangermuffin represents a golden age for the band. Golden imaging permeates the lyrics and artwork, symbolizing a graceful era in which, fueled by the amazing experiences of communing with both fans and each other through music, they now continue on with purpose and intention. Indeed, the record showcases the band’s continued growth and commitment to their craft. Lotti’s powerful vocals soar through the hallowed rafters of the old church as he sings on themes of light, healing, and growth, while floating on the beachy and breezy sounds we have come to recognize as uniquely Dangermuffin.
This 2024 self-titled release marks a season of synergy and rediscovery for Dangermuffin. You will find powerful symbolism in the songs, including the story of Icarus, espousing a liberating mindset of ‘burning out bright.’ There are discussions of visionary experiences and walks with nature, as well as throwbacks to ‘Voodoo Child’ vibes where mountains are moved in some sort of ‘larger than life’ state. “We hope listeners will feel uplifted, hopeful, energized, liberated, and generally invigorated from this collection of songs” says Lotti. “This might be the most ‘rock’ record we have ever written, and we can’t wait to take everyone on this journey with us.”
Sqwerv's roots run deep in the Denver music scene. Those roots began to take hold as the band started hosting local open jams and playing gigs at small bars and venues in 2017. Since then, Sqwerv has become a staple in Denver's music scene with bands like Magic Beans, Squeaky Feet, Eminence Ensemble and Rado.
This four-piece Indie-Psych Rock band's love for classic rock, psychedelic music and improvisation creates a sound that is refreshingly original and exciting. Sqwerv realizes the importance of good songwriting and is always pushing themselves in the improvisation. The band spends a great deal of time writing lyrics, composing, and developing song structure that has grown into a catalogue that ranges from twelve minute prog songs inspired by Homer's Odyssey to two minute psych songs about love. They are fiercely driven to get to those transcendent, improvised spaces that all jam-music lovers crave. Sqwerv continues to deliver to their audiences through groove, counterpoint, polyrhythms and risk taking.
In the last two years the band has released two studio albums, three live albums and completed two national tours with no plans on stopping. They have had the opportunity to open for acts like Lespecial, Spafford, Eggy and Big Something. They hold themselves to a rigorous tour schedule playing unique shows for their fans on a regular basis. Sqwerv leans into the dark and the beautiful while thriving off of the sounds they create and connections they make.