Just me and my wonderful producer Roger Lavallee (The Curtain Society). I expect this family will grow with time....
Influences
David Sylvian, PJ Harvey, Bjork, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Joy Division, Pixies, Bowie, The Smiths, Legendary Pink Dots, Aimee Mann, And Also The Trees, My Bloody Valentine, Lali Puna, Antony and the Johnsons, Nada Surf, Beck, Sing Sing, Nick Cave, Mojave 3, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Lamb, Sonic Youth, Japan, His Name is Alive, Cocteau Twins, Interpol, Ivy, Jamiroquai, Jeff Buckley, Spain, Jesus and Mary Chain, Slowdive, Morrissey, Rammstein, Saint Etienne, Sigur Ros, Roger Lavallee, Siddal, The Strokes, Visage
Danella Hocevar – the story so far.......
Music has been a lifelong passion for Danella Hocevar, who is currently writing and recording as a solo artist following a lengthy career as frontperson for An April March and other groups. The Toronto-based singer/songwriter/guitarist has pursued her interest in music since the age of four, when she began playing classical guitar. By the time she was fourteen, Hocevar had already formed her first band, Dead Souls. Dead Souls allowed Hocevar to develop her songcraft, and the group’s underground cassette, “Listen”, even managed to make some waves on local college radio. This experience encouraged the young musician, and set the groundwork for her next endeavor, the more ambitious and successful group An April March..........
Hocevar formed An April March in 1989, and the highly-regarded dreampop outfit would be her primary musical outlet for over a decade. An April March was a forum for Hocevar’s melodic and emotionally-charged songwriting, written in collaboration with her partner Christopher Perry’s unique textural guitar work and production skills, and rounded out by a number of additional collaborators on bass and drums, most notably drummer Michael Klüg. The sound of An April March was quite unusual on the more traditionally rock-based Canadian music landscape of the early ‘90’s, exploring directions more in tune with the British shoegazer scene or the ethereal sounds emanating from the 4AD and Creation labels, but the group nevertheless found success early. Their blissful, multi-layered single “Scarlet Bliss” won a spot on Toronto alternative radio station CFNY’s 1992 New Music Search CD, and received substantial airplay as a result, establishing a wider audience for An April March. The group soon delivered their debut album, “Impatiens”, on their own label, Cartwheel Recordings. The album, featuring “Scarlet Bliss” and second single “The Last of Ariadne”, was a substantial offering of densely-layered, shimmering guitar soundscapes and dynamic rhythmic structures, underlying Hocevar’s expressive sing-song vocal stylings. NOW described their music as “Atmospheric, well-crafted pop,” while across the country, B.C. paper Kamloops this Week enthused, “The combination of the lush, sweepingly full arrangements and Danella Hocevar’s deep-in-the-mix vocals, envelops, tantalises and catches on like a summer sea breeze.”.........
An April March continued building on their success and developing their sound throughout the 1990’s, and solidified their reputation as a powerful live act alongside their prolific studio output. The group were again included on CFNY’s New Music Search CD in 1994, with their moody single “Lava”, also a highlight of their second CD, “Instruments of Lust and Fury”. By this time, An April March had inked a record deal with Washington, DC-based indie Bedazzled Records, a boutique dreampop label that boasted a number of likeminded artists such as The Curtain Society, Siddal, and Strange Boutique. Bedazzled became home to An April March for the duration of their existence, and the group released two more albums, “Lessons In Vengeance” (1995) and “It Goes Without Saying” (1998), and two ep’s, “Adagio” (1996) and “…something once true, is always true” (1999), on the label. With each successive effort, An April March explored new sonic territory, adding elements of electronica, trip hop, and ambient to their lush guitar pop structures. The group also broadened their fanbase through a busy schedule of live performances, and participated in two “Bedazzled Caravan” package tours with other groups on the label, taking them into the U.S. to cities such as Boston, New York City, Detroit and Chicago..........
As the ‘90’s ended, An April March also came to a close, finally disbanding in 2001. Hocevar and Perry continued working together briefly in a new project, redhotred. The group was exploring a diverse mix of electronic beats, cello, fretless bass, and keyboards, but after a few live shows (including an appearance at the NXNE festival) and some initial recordings, redhotred also dissolved. In 2006, Hocevar and Perry separated after a sixteen year personal relationship, ending their creative union. Hocevar soon refocused her energy and ideas, and began writing new material for a solo project. In the fall of 2007, she started recording her new music in collaboration with producer Roger Lavallee (vocalist/guitarist for The Curtain Society), and the promising results are currently posted in demo form on her Myspace page. With provocative titles such as “Stubborn Taurus”, “Junkie”, and “I Must Remember To Forget You”, Hocevar is entering a new phase of her musical career with a confident new sound and a fresh approach to songwriting, stripping back the heavy layers of guitar for a more direct and intimate feel. While the future of this project is at present undetermined, Hocevar is happy to have returned to her passion – the music.
Please check out my songs and let me know what you think! And when you have second pop on over to the facebook fan page and become a fan! http://www.facebook.com/kristenkarmazinuk
Danella, Thank you for your voice, sound and music over the years. I've been very influenced by you an Liz Fraser. "I keep your voice close to me" sista. Take care!
Hey Danella, thanks for adding me! I still love all my An April March CDs and I've been wondering for years whatever happened to you. It's great to find you again and I look forward to hearing new music from you.
Hi Danella, you are so lovely. the set with dave was great. did you get some of the pictures? Next time we should talk a little more. greetings from cold Berlin Thomas
Hello...Thank you very much..I know the band comments can be pretty cheesy, but we had to say Hi to all our new friends...since you and others gave us a chance...and we care very much about people giving us their time...thanks again
Danella, beautifulness. "I must remember to forget you" is my favorite. I love the gentle progression and as always your voice is perfect. Keep up the good work.
