Stability, Hope and Happiness with Daniel Etherton
It’s always so exciting when an artist releases their debut single. Everything they’ve learnt or felt up to that time is distilled into their first release, usually chosen from a range of songs they’ve written as ‘the one’ they identify as being worthy of their very first statement as an artist. Lest we forget that the possibilities for them at this point are endless. Let me tell you about Daniel Etherton’s ‘Foundations’.
The acoustic guitar introduction to Foundations reminds me straight away of Pink Floyd’s ‘If’, a highly reflective piece with lyrical content still relevant today. I love the sound of the double-tracked acoustics here, it opens the mix right up as you hear fingers sliding across the frets in stereo. A gentle keyboard string sound fills the body of this track with the lower frequencies that the picking of the acoustic guitar can’t fulfil. There are no frills where the keyboard is concerned, just a reassuring holding down of the chords.
Beyond this, the focus on Foundations is entirely on Etherton’s soulful voice, imbrued with confident passion and vocal overdubs used sparingly. ‘You’ll never let me drown, wiping away the ever-lasting frown, the ones you can rely on, you don’t need your eye on.’ Something that is sometimes forgotten in music is that a technically perfect vocal take, whilst flawless by nature, can still lack a certain sincerity to it. The listener has to believe what the vocalist is saying. It can make the difference between ‘Hallelujah’ by Jeff Buckley and ‘Hallelujah’ by Alexandra Burke.
And Daniel Etherton? I believe every word of his vocal in Foundations. The way he sings the chorus immediately puts the image in your mind of people dancing on tables and having a great time. And the way he sings ‘I really do love you’, it’s a simple phrase that says so much just by his delivery of it. If a song can make you think of a music video for it that doesn’t yet exist – then the artist is already doing everything right.
Apparently I’m not the only one who holds this view on Foundations. Daniel Etherton has continued to perform through the pandemic, and prior to official release, this track has been played on BBC Radio Kent, Hoxton Radio, Shoreditch Radio, Spinnup and Amazing Radio. He also recorded a version of Foundations for LoudHouse’s Loudcast and I’m sure the exposure for this track will continue beyond its release date. Hopefully we’ll be hearing more from Daniel Etherton in 2021.
1. Your debut single is called 'Foundations', tell me about the writing of it. Are you the sole writer?
‘Foundations’ talks about how the meaningful people around us give stability, hope and happiness. It reflects on struggles in an optimistic light whilst maintains true to my personal journey. I wrote the track with a friend in 2019 at a time when I started to gain confidence in my song writing and live performing abilities. I’ve always found music, most genres, stabling and inspiring throughout my whole life – it becomes daunting when you’re the person putting a song out there that could hopefully provide the same positive effect it did to me, to someone else.
2. What was the recording process for 'Foundations' like? Was it put together in a home studio?
We recorded, mix and mastered the single during lockdown. It was a pretty swift process and had the vocals ready after a couple takes!
3. Obviously gigging has been impossible for the best part of a year, what was the last gig you played like?
Fortunately, I was able to get a gig in early October 2020 at Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant & Castle, London. This was a hybrid gig, physical and livestreamed - but silent concert, so all through earphones which is an unusual format but really fun to perform. On Saturday 13th I am jumping on the live stream launch day to perform a couple songs for Kreativ Kulture. A cool new initiative to build a free and accessible global community for creatives.
4. Prior to gigging in London in 2019, you were working in the art world - what did that involve?
I still am actually, on top of campaigning for the debut single I'm working full-time at Christie's Auction House in London. It's a brilliant company to work for and I have had the opportunity to travel and be part of some amazing global sales, including the selling of the most expensive artwork ever sold - da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi'.
5. The music we listen to growing up really shapes who we are, what were you listening to that inspired you to become a songwriter?
The constant evolution of music and its ability to connect people always excites me. I've really benefitted from the Playlist culture and don't like to define my taste to a couple genres. I love listening to all types of music but take influence from Daughter, Bon Iver, The XX and Bill Withers. Checking in on the charts, tracking down undiscovered talent on SoundCloud, spinning Spotify Radio and Discover, you're bound to find music which inspires you. My music is emotionally charged and evokes the feeling of nostalgia intertwined with modern relatability.
6. Everyone remembers their first guitar - what was yours?
A Yamaha acoustic, which was actually my Father's. Thanks, Dad!
7. The past year has been tough on a lot of people, but what have you been thankful for through it all?
I've been thankful for the support from those close to me, my health and continued determination. The last year has been really tough and it's important to acknowledge that but I am also grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves as a product of a lot that has happened in the past few months.
8. What are your plans for 2021? Do you have more songs in the bank?
We've got a lot to look forward; 'Foundations' is only the beginning and the first track off my pending EP. These tracks are a story - it's all connected, and I can't wait for you to hear them and join the journey with me.
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For more information about Daniel Etherton, check out his official website here.
Follow Daniel Etherton on Instagram @detherton, Facebook @danieletherton and on Twitter @d3therton.
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