Press & Reviews
Press Release: A Thousand Days Beneath The Sun
Australia has a unique tradition in musical storytelling. With icons of the craft like Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody leading a generation of talented young Aussie raconteurs, theirs are footsteps followed with pride.
Young acoustic storyteller Dan Schaumann exhibits no shortage of pride in his roots. The vigor and humility with which he shares his experiences in song are overshadowed only by his talent with a guitar. An endearingly idiosyncratic lyricism strikes up an instant rapport with his instrument’s lament. Essential to every storyteller, Dan has a knack for effortlessly pulling the listener into his world.
Having cut his musical teeth on the sidewalks and bars of Townsville and Brisbane, guitar in hand, Dan followed his heart to London. A world away from all that had shaped him into the writer and performer he was, he reveled in the rich British folk scene. New creative sparks ignited under its influence in the void left by the distinct Australian sounds of home.
A tale of two worlds colliding intimately and geographically, Dan Schaumann’s debut album, A Thousand Days Beneath the Sun, is an extraordinary journey into the experiences of a contemporary traveler. From lost love to found feet, toppled dreams to open doors, Dan’s attitude to life is as infectious as the songs he draws from it. Refreshingly honest and heartfelt, with that unmistakable Aussie lilt, each of the album’s thirteen tracks is a stepping stone that leads the listener full circle by story’s end.
Produced in Australia by James North and released in late 2011, A Thousand Days Beneath the Sun is an accomplished first chapter in this young storyteller’s musical journey. The album can be purchased from leading digital retailers worldwide and from www.schaumann.com.au.
For further information please email dan (at) schaumann.com.au or visit www.schaumann.com.au/music to preview a selection of the album tracks. Chat to Dan at twitter.com/danschaumann, facebook.com/danschaumann and myspace.com/danschaumann.
You can download a PDF copy of the press release here
Merry In Merrylands: SydneyVision 2012 Peoples Choice Award Winner
Dan’s song Merry In Merrylands was the winner of the Peoples Choice Award at the SydneyVision Song Contest, held at the Dendy Cinema in Newtown in August 2012! In the weeks that followed, Dan along with fellow songwriter Sam Kumlu generated quite a lot of talk in local media.
The People’s Choice Award went to larrikin Dan Schaumann who won over the audience with his upbeat take on life despite all its aggravations.
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre media release: Sydneyvision Song Contest Grand Final Results
Parramatta Advertiser newspaper article: Merrylands love song win hearts at Sydneyvision
Parramatta Sun newspaper article: Image not so merry, but suburb a happy place
2GB Radio: Merry In Merrylands interview with Chris Smith (MP3, 7min 36sec)
You can view the video of the song here
Lifestyle Asia Magazine
Dan was featured on the front page of LIfestyle Asia magazine in October 2011, for an article titled Busking in Sydney.
You can download a PDF copy of the article here (written in Mandarin)
Temple Of Balance
Along with a mix of uplifting new-age artists, tracks from Dan’s album A Thousand Days Beneath The Sun are featured on Temple Of Balance Radio - presented by acclaimed author, artist, mentor, speaker, radio host and intuitive healer, Lee-Anne Peters.
Find more details on Temple Of Balance Radio here
The Fighter
by Mimi Cross (Sirenstories), July 2011
Sydney-based singer/songwriter Dan Schaumann‘s The Fighter begins with an almost languid guitar intro—beautifully played—making the opening of The Fighter sounds more like a lover.
Half a minute into the song the tempo picks up, and just under the minute mark Dan’s voice comes in, delicious Aussie accent and all.
The verses are gorgeous with the tail end of the first sounding like Elliott Smith has stopped by, and the end of the second giving us the on ramp to a chorus that, when it comes, kicks up the energy level of the tune so that you finally hear the song is indeed about a fighter. I love this slow reveal, and I found myself wondering if fighting with this guy would be so bad.
Dan Schaumann comes close to speaking at times, a singing style that I love and prize because it shows the singer is inhabiting his body and not just his head. Stories and passions come from the body and Dan’s style conveys a from-the-gut honesty.
Dan is soon to release his debut album, A Thousand Days Beneath The Sun. Recorded and produced in Brisbane by James North Productions, it consists of thirteen self-penned tracks which predominantly reflect the rapturous, romantic and remorseful emotions experienced while residing in England for 15 months during 2008-2009 – over 16,000 kilometres away from home in Australia.
This song, The Fighter, refers to the state of emotional turmoil brought on by fighting excessively hard to hold onto a past love which has passed the point of salvage. Eventually, even the greatest fighter has to call it a day and move on.
