We give a listen to Danny
McMahon’s latest EP, take a look at the musical journey of the UK Country
Music Awards 2018 double nominee and investigate how buoyant the country scene
actually is in his hometown of Bristol.
Danny
McMahon
- Momentarily - EP Review
Release Date: 22 June 2018
Label: Puzzle Maker Records
4 Tracks/Time: 15:18
Country/ Pop
Chart Success: Yet to appear on UK Country iTunes
Top 200
1. It Don't Work That Way 3:15, 2. Momentarily 3:59 3. Couldn't Write a Love Song 4:06 4.
Move
Promoted
by Country Music Social Media (Facebook) to
radio the 4-track MOMENTARILY marks McMahon’s second EP release.
In the press blurb it describes Danny as a British
rising country artist and singer songwriter who “prides himself on creating a melodic country sound with modern pop
production. The EP continues to showcase the modern country route that Danny
feels he relates to and his accompanying lyrics are sure to make you feel the
story he is trying to portray” and that “funky and catchy riffs with brilliant exquisite guitar solos that will
make you tap your feet”.
Opener “It Don't Work That Way” is a rowdy rocky intense
affair with cluttered full-on modern production with driving guitars and a heavy
drum overlay. It appears to reference to exploring a world looking for that dream
show stopping girl but cautions the guy will lead her astray who strives to
make things work in an odd kind of way. It’s very hard to hear the words in the
mix and no lyrics were available after repeat requests for them. The
storytelling is therefore lost in the gutter.
Things slow down with the EP standout “Momentarily”, it’s melodic with a gentle
pace and more spacious sound. It has emotional romantic overtones but again the
words are mostly inaudible which is so exasperating. Just what is the story
here?
“Couldn't Write a Love Song” has a gentle sweetly
aching melody (without being too saccharin) about a deep longing to be with the
one you love dragging yourself through the mundane work week whilst getting
emotional “over the things she’d said”. The two strangers attempt to find their
way in the world and make things right. A weekend dance, tender kisses, laughter all night make things “feel
so right” whilst learning the art of patience and forgiveness. As the song ebbs
and flows musically the hurt vanishes allowing a heart to flourish to then pen that
love song!
The lead-off single
'Move'
which was dubbed as being “how passionate Danny is about songwriting”. It was
said to have reached the Top 80 on
the UK iTunes Country Chart which in
the overall all-genre picture is insignificant.
Listen to “Move”:
The track has had widespread airplay on Inde radio shows and local BBC stations drawn to its funky dance along beat. However, the vocal is very nasal singing through his head rather through the diaphragm and thus is not able to offer a good clear vocal delivery. With words (again mostly indiscernible) he sings: Hey pretty baby well you're moving too fast don't you know I don't wanna look like that'. This comes across lyrically as nonsensical rubbish. It is poor songwriting and to my ears meaningless.
Overall
the EP simply doesn’t come across as a country recording, think more
rock-inflected pop music. As with many modern-day British recordings tagged as “country”
it’s devoid of any instrumentation (fiddle, steel, banjo, mandolin, dobro) long
associated with country music. The normal publicist line to underline their
country credentials is to say it’s about the storytelling aspect – Well we need
to hear the words sung!
Danny
has cited the lyrical content of the late Keith
Whitley as an influence. Well he needs to delve more into his archive,
immerse himself in the genre and explore other artists (Danny seems unaware of
the vast amounts of Country & Americana visiting his hometown of Bristol! - See below).
In the 90s, at least you were able to hear all the words and sing along to them if you wished.
In the 90s, at least you were able to hear all the words and sing along to them if you wished.
As Danny is a producer I’m
confused or more aptly puzzled that his vocals aren’t front and centre in the
mix and that diction should be a key ingredient.
With a 15-minutes duration MOMENTARILY
is thankfully short, with a hotch-potch of rather ill-fitting songs. Hoping for
improvement next time around although the Buckle and Boots Festival punters
seemed won over by his performance snapping up a “ton” of physical copies.
Adrian
Clark
Danny McMahon Live
Shows:
Fri 17 August 2018
- The Old School BBQ Bus, Oldham, Manchester
(Website;
Alford street, Hollinwood OL97LP)
Sunday 19 August 2018 - Brit Country Presents: Country Sessions Notting Hill Arts Club, London
(Notting Hill Arts Club,
21 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JQ)
clock
Weds 29 August 2018 - Kitchen Garden, Birmingham (17 York Road, B14 7SA) Nashville Sounds In The Round
Fri 31 August 2018 - The New Broom, Pub And Restaurant,
Checkley, Stoke (Uttoxeter Road,
Stoke-on-Trent ST104NB) 19:30–22:30 £7 with Tim Walkerdine, Phil
Cooper and Geoff Brewis
Sunday 2 September
2018 - H20 Night Club, Swindon
(37-38 Fleet Street) £3 at 13:00 Facebook Event
Fri 7 September 2018
- Cowboys' Guest Ranch, via Tullio Morato 18, 27058 Voghera Italy hosted by Whiskey
And Cigarettes Country Radio Show
Related BLOG Post (Oct 2017): New To You: UK country artist
Danny McMahon, new single coming soon
CONNECT with Danny McMahon:
What Others Are Saying About Danny McMahon
“Sensational…The wonderful
local singer-songwriter” – Steve Yabsley BBC Radio Bristol (17
Jan 2018 BBC Page)
BBC Radio
Bristol's
Steve Yabsley spoke with "hotly-tipped country music artist" Danny McMahon after he returned from a
successful trip to San Diego.
"It's all working, very good excellent stuff" - Richard Lewis BBC Radio Bristol (27 June 2018 BBC Page)
Richard Lewis sitting in for Claire Cavanagh on
BBC Radio Bristol talked with Bristol based "country" artist Danny
McMahon about playing in San Diego going to Nashville, branding country music
and in Danny's words playing the Buckle & Boots Festival "The Biggest
one for British Country Music in the UK" and his new self-penned single
"Move".
Danny: My wish is that one day Bristol will be a Country Music hub,
that would be my absolute dream, at the moment there isn't much as far as
country music is concerned, there are a few hotbeds Wolverhampton,
Manchester and London seem to be the main ones, there's NOTHING in this neck
of the woods at all at the moment
This couldn’t be further from the
truth!
Here are artists who have played and will be playing Bristol in 2018!
Here are artists who have played and will be playing Bristol in 2018!
Past Events in Bristol
The Deslondes - 18 January 2018 - Bristol @ Hy
Brasil
The Mavericks - Fri 2 February 2018 - Bristol,
Colston Hall One
Transatlantic
Sessions - Tues 6 February
2018 - Colston Hall, Bristol
Hayseed Dixie - Wed 14th Feb 2018 - The Fleece,
Bristol
Jess and the Bandits - Weds 14 February 2018 - The
Tunnels, Bristol
The Wandering Hearts - Sun 18 February 2018 -
Louisana, Bristol
Square One - 22 February 2018 - Live At The
Thunderbolt, Bristol
Will Hoge - Fri 23 February 2018 - Thekla,
Bristol
Becky Lawrence - Weds 28 March 2018 - The
Fleece, Bristol
Kristian Bush, Levi
Hummon, Twinnie - Fri 16 March 2018
- Thekla, Bristol
Goat Roper Band - Sat, March 3rd, 2018 - Bristol
Bluegrass Festival
The Handsome Family - Thurs 22 March 2018 - St
Georges, Bristol
Emma Stevens with
GlasVille - 27 March 2018 -
The Lantern, Bristol
Secret Sisters - Tues 27 March 2018 - The
Tunnels, Bristol
Sarah Darling + Emma
Stevens & GlasVille -
Tues 27 March 2018 - The Lantern, Colston Hall, Bristol
Beth Nielsen Chapman
& Robbie Vincent - Fri 30 March 2018
- St George’s Bristol
Tom Paxton & The
Donjuans - Tue 10 April 2018
- St. George’s, Bristol
Hannah Johnson - Sun 22 April 2018 - The
Canteen, Bristol
Philippa Hanna - Tuesday 3th April 2018 - O2
Academy 3, Birmingham
Molly Tuttle - Tues May 1 2018 - Bristol, UK
House Concert
Brothers Osborne - 7 May 2018 - O2 Academy,
Bristol
Don McLean - Fri May 11, 2018 - Colston
Hall, Bristol
The Shires - Wed 16 May 2018 – Bristol,
Colston Hall
Write Like A Girl - Thurs 17 May 2018 – The Fringe
Live Music Bar, Bristol
Emma Stevens with
GlasVille - 19 May 2018 - The
Louisiana, Bristol
Kerri Watt - Saturday 26 May 2018 - Mr
Wolfs, Bristol
Danny McMahon - Fri 25 May 2018 - O2 Academy, Bristol
Elles Bailey - Thursday, 31 May 2018 - The
Tunnels, Bristol
Wildwood Kin - Thurs 31 May 2018 – Thekla,
Bristol
Gretchen Peters - Sat June 2, 2018 - St.
George's, Bristol
Kelly Oliver - Sun 10 June 2018 - The Folk
House Bristol
Lindi Ortega - Wed June 13, 2018 - The Fleece,
Bristol
Vivian Leva &
Riley Calcagno - Wednesday 13 June
2018 - The Canteen, Bristol
Danny McMahon - Fri 29 June 2018 - The Thunderbolt, Bristol
River Town 2018
Bristol's Americana Festival 10 July 2018 - Sun 5 Aug 2018
Graham Nash, Rosanne Cash, Sam Palladio, Steve Earle & The Dukes,
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and The Barr Brothers,
Kelly Willis - Monday 23 July 2018 – Redgrave
Theatre, Bristol
Sam Outlaw - Sunday, August 5th, 2018 -
Valley Fest, Bristol
Forthcoming Events in Bristol!
Imelda May - Friday 31 August 2018 - O2
Academy, Bristol
Charlie Worsham - Saturday 1 September 2018 –
Thekla, Bristol
Joey Landreth - Mon 3 September 2018 –
Louisiana, Bristol
Joshua Hedley - Tuesday 4 September 2018 - The
Crofters Rights, Bristol
Erin Rae - Weds 5 September 2018 - The
Louisiana, Bristol
Striking Matches - Sunday 9 September 2018 –
Thekla, Bristol
Catherine McGrath - Mon 17 September 2018 - Thekla,
Bristol
Drake White and the
Big Fire - Sat, 20 October
2018 - Thekla, Bristol
Kacey Musgraves - Tues, 23 October 2018 - Bristol
Hippodrome, Bristol
Darius Rucker - Thursday 25 October 2018 – O2
Academy, Bristol
Old Dominion - Mon 5 November 2018 - Trinity
Arts Centre, Bristol
First Aid Kit - Weds 7 November 2018 - O2
Academy 1, Birmingham
Callaghan - Thursday 8 November 2018 - The
Fringe, Bristol
Blackberry Smoke - Sunday 11 November 2018 - O2
Academy, Bristol
Midland + special
guests - Tues 27 November
2018 - Bristol Trinity, Bristol
Courtney Marie
Andrews - Wed 5 December
2018 – Colston Hall, Bristol
Gregory Alan Isakov - Weds 5 December 2018 - SWX,
Bristol
Dan + Shay - Tuesday 22 January 2019 - SWX,
Bristol
Danny described how he feel in
love with country through the authenticity and its “emotional honesty” and something which he said is being lost in Pop
music, a world which he was in beforehand. Danny’s influences are the lyrical
content of Keith Whitley (who he adores) and innovative nature of Sam Hunt.
Listen Back to Richard Lewis' BBC Radio Bristol interview here:
"Really liking the sound of his vocal, one to watch" Craig Parry The Moonshine Experience Dapper FM Phoenix Country Radio
"You absolutely smashed it on The
Paddock Stage"
Watch Dan Wharton (Press Officer BCMA and head of website Your Life In
Song) Interview with Danny
McMahon (BUCKLE & BOOTS 2018)
INTERVIEW: DANNY MCMAHON (BUCKLE & BOOTS 2018)
Buckle & Boots Country Festival Interview: Danny McMahon on his journey into country music, musical influences, his releases so far and upcoming shows!
Posted by Your Life In A Song on Wednesday, 27 June 2018
“'Another artist that I’ll be keeping
a close eye on, who has really tapped into the trends of the US country market
with his own brand of mainstream, country radio-orientated material.'” Dan Wharton Your Life In A Song
“'The high-energy songs were really
effective live. I think we’ll see a lot more of Danny as the year progresses.'”
Dan Wharton Your Life In A Song
W21Music LIVE REVIEW: Buckle
& Boots 2018 - The Paddock Stage - Danny McMahon
Already the buzz of the
#TEAMw21 offices after his
performance caught the eye of some of the team this was a moment we had been
waiting for and it did not disappoint. ..Opening with "The Other Side" they had big stage
volume and a song with an immediate chorus and the feel of a US band while
staying decidedly British. With three guitars and keyboards as well the sound
was able to really fill the tent….The new single is "Move" and you know you are in the presence of something
special when fellow audience members unsolicited start nudging you to say how
good they think an act is. The reason for this is that Danny and his band were
possibly the only act of the weekend I saw
who managed to transform the big tent and make it feel like a small
venue.
The final song of a far
too short set set was "Couldn't Write
A Love Song" another song that was immediately engaging and completed
what in essence was a Main Stage performance which is where he will surely be
next year….Read
full review at W21Music
"Definitely one of my artists to
watch in 2018!"Comment on the song Worth Waiting For "The song had me
in tears with such incredibly meaningful lyrics, songs with such meaningful
lyrics show that the artist is very passionate about what they are
singing" Kellie Lou Bring Country 2 UK
ABOUT Danny McMahon
He is a 26-year old commercial singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and director of Puzzle Maker Studios, Bristol (Mastering and Commercial Writing Services, as well as developing Artist Development programmes).
He is a 26-year old commercial singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and director of Puzzle Maker Studios, Bristol (Mastering and Commercial Writing Services, as well as developing Artist Development programmes).
EARLY
YEARS
 |
| Danny McMahon in group The Fuel (circa May 2011) |
Danny has previously toured Europe as lead vocalist and Guitarist, playing at numerous British venues including Camden House and Glastonbury Festival.
Whilst still a teenager, Danny worked as an intern as a commercial writer via Paramount. Artists he forwarded material for included Taylor Swift, The Wanted and Jay Sean.
He used to be in Bristol based
Rock POP band The Fuel (lead Vocals
and played rhythm guitar) and toured with Westlife
Deaf Havana Fightstar, King Blues and Fei Comodo. They played Glastonbury
Festival 2009 on the BBC Introducing
Stage and showcased for SONY BMG and EMI records at the Camden Roundhouse.
Danny has played with George Ezra and went to University with him at Bristol Institute for Modern Music. Ezra left in his first year before signing with Sony.
McMahon also had the privilege of
recording at Peter Gabriel's
prestigious Real World Studios with
band Phoenix Club and also toured Europe and the U.K
RECORD LABEL: UNSIGNED
PROMOTION: Country Music Social Media (Facebook) headed by Ken Meakin and Rachel Sellick who began dating Danny in April 2017 after they met at C2C. She began to realise that not only did she enjoy helping Danny with booking gigs and organising trips and studio sessions, she actually had quite a talent for it.
PROMOTION: Country Music Social Media (Facebook) headed by Ken Meakin and Rachel Sellick who began dating Danny in April 2017 after they met at C2C. She began to realise that not only did she enjoy helping Danny with booking gigs and organising trips and studio sessions, she actually had quite a talent for it.
Blurb: Danny describes his music as blending
"his authentic Country lyrical content and melodies with a modern pop
influenced production. Comparisons to currently prominent artists such as Brett Young and Thomas Rhett are unmistakable, but a classic feel similar to that
of Rascal Flatts is brought to the fore with a sound that's melodic, radio
friendly and as a result presents material filled with catchy choruses".
Danny’s aim is to take those influences
and use them in his songwriting to reach people through his music.
With a passion and talent for
creating compelling vocal harmonies, powerful melodies and meaningful lyrics,
Danny is in his element within the country music scene.
His passion for Country music
began upon hearing the famous Brad Paisley song ‘Letter
to Me’. He said he ‘connected with the song’s realness and
authenticity’. As a commercial songwriter for paramount songwriting, Danny was
increasingly fixed upon the way country music uses emotive lyrics to create a
powerful level of relatability and thought he’d give music a go, little did
he know he’d have quite a talent for it. This fuelled the beginning of Danny’s pursuit of the country music business.
he know he’d have quite a talent for it. This fuelled the beginning of Danny’s pursuit of the country music business.
STATS:
Voted best UK male country singer by HEM Country
Radio (now defunct)
605 Song Plays | 3.7K Total Fans
#1 Reverbnation South West England Regional
Country Charts
Currently
84 Monthly Listeners on Spotify
Remember to check out my new EP “Momentarily” on Spotify! Please follow and add to your playlists! Much love ❤️ https://t.co/Pty7ft376N— Danny McMahon (@dannymcmahonuk) 14 August 2018
Using the skills, he had acquired at Paramount Danny became Director at Bristol based development company Puzzle Maker Studios which he set up at University with partner Andrea Succi (Twitter) who plays guitar in Danny's band.
Both
EPs have been apparently been received very well by UK and International radio
and the modern country pop sound captivated audiences at the launch shows - all
in all a great success. Listen to their music at www.puzzlemakerstudios.co.uk
About
Puzzle Maker Studios: A Music Production Company based in Bristol (UK;
Freestone Road, BS2 0QN Bristol | Facebook)
specialising in Artist Development, Studio Recording, Music Production and
Commercial Songwriting.
Last December Danny was given the unprecedented
opportunity to play at Springboard West Festival
in California.
He shared: Being from the UK, it is always a
huge goal to get to play in America live and I am incredibly humbled and
thrilled to be given this opportunity. This festival is run by Barry Coffing
who has connections with Universal, and other huge artist labels, etc. In order
to allow my band and myself to attend, we need to raise over
£4,000 to ensure his band can join him on this incredible journey.
He
launched a crowd funded Kickstarter: £125
pledged of £4,000 goal by 6 backers. Funding for this project was canceled by
the project creator on December 27. He did however attend the festival sharing: We’ve
had lots of donations from lots of different people who have been generous
enough to support our cause. From hours of busking, to fans to friends. The
main thing is we get to represent UK Country at Springboard Festival!
Danny released his 4 track Country/
Pop EP MOMENTARILY (2018 Puzzle
Maker Studios; Amazon UK - UK iTunes
- Spotify)
on June 22, 2018
On Sat 23 June
2018 he played the Buckle And Boots Festival, Manchester (Whitebottom Farm, Etherow Country Park, Compstall,
Stockport SK6 5HZ)
He embarked on his The Move UK Tour in Summer
2018 (Studio 2, Liverpool | Gullivers,
Manchester | The Thunderbolt, Bristol | The Slaughtered Lamb, London | Dancing Dog Saloon, Sittingbourne). Support acts included Kira
Mac, Emma Moore, Hannah Paris and Frankie Swain
On Thursday 26th July 2018 he opened for US
artist Dylan Schneider (The
Louisiana, Bristol (Wapping Road
Bristol, BS1 6UA)
Thanks to online voting Danny
received 2 nominations for The UK Country Music Awards 2018 (sponsored
by UK 24/7 Internet Station UKCountryRadio.com) for UK Country Artist Of The Year (For a UK
artist who has demonstrated outstanding achievement over the last year) and UK Male Country Singer Of The Year (Nominees: Callum Mountford, Danny McMahon, Scott Welsby, Tom
Delaware, Wayne Jacobs)
The Award
winners will be announced at The UK Country Music Awards Ceremony held at the Radisson
Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport (Herald Way, Pegasus Business Park, DE74
2TZ, Derby WEBSITE ) on
Saturday 1st September 2018.
Voted by BCMA
members, Danny has received 2 nominations for the British Country Music Association Awards for Horizon Act Of The Year at the (Nominees: Kezia Gill, Izzie Walsh, Danny McMahon, Stevie O'Connor
and Emily Faye) and Male Vocalist Of The
Year (Nominees: Gary Quinn,
Band Darcy, Danny McMahon, Kev McGuire and Ags Connolly). Voting starts Monday
20th August and the awards ceremony takes place at the Harrogate Convention
Centre on 24th November. Tickets:
On
September 14th Danny will be writing and recording at Sounds Kitchen, Nashville (Chris Young, Darius Rucker,
Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban) with 27-time Dove nominated and 5-time Grammy award
winner Billy Smiley.
