From left to right:
Matthew Frankel - Cajon/Vocals
Dan Chang - Guitar/Vocals
Michael Garner - Piano/Vocals
Influences
guster, death cab, coldplay, jack johnson, davey g. project, ben folds, rufus wainwright, simon & garfunkel, jon brion and especially chopin, yanni, michael bolton, and nsync's christmas album.
EP Collaborators
Chris Harrison (Tracking/Mixing)
Gabriel Mann (Mixing/Producing)
Piper Ferguson (Photography)
Sheiva Rezvani (Design)
Links
Sounds Like
Spoon @ The El Rey, 1/30/09
Lily Allen's Everythings Just Wonderful (cover) @ Hotel Cafe, 3/20/08
new song - sophie roux
who'll stop the rain (cover) live in a random stairwell
Imagine the camaraderie of athos, porthos and aramis; the humor of larry, moe and curley; the mischief of huey, dewey and louie; the thrill of sex, drugs and rock n roll; the compatibility of bacon, lettuce and tomato; and the sometimes cantankerous nature of rock, paper, scissors. that is LADY DANVILLE!
MORE INFORMATIVE BIO (still fun):
Michael Garner and Dan Chang grew up in Danville, CA -- a small town in Northern California home to fond childhood memories, girls with cooties, and the world’s best deli, Doeminico’s Delicatessen. While strangers to each other in Danville, Michael and Dan would eventually meet at UCLA on one fortuitous night while auditioning for Awaken A Cappella, UCLA’s premiere a cappella group to which Matt Frankel already belonged. With Matt’s approval, Michael and Dan became the newest members of the group on that fateful night and thus began the friendship of the trynamic trio, which would eventually lead to the beauty and dysfunction (every family has its dysfunction) of lady danville.
After singing together sans instruments, Michael and Dan decided to pick up the piano and guitar (respectively (Michael’s really strong; he bench presses two pianos for fun)) and attempt the college cliché endeavor of writing a song about a girl instead of focusing their efforts on the 20-page paper* due the next day. Finding success with their first song, “Easy On Me”, both decided that their collective musical ambitions were something worth exploring. In 2006, exactly a year after the debut of “Easy on Me”, Michael and Dan performed at UCLA’s Spring Sing as mikey g and dan from danville and won the award for Best Duet and Best Overall Entry with their song, “Cast Away” – an honor shared with past winners such as Sara Bareilles, Maroon 5, and Tyrone Wells. Despite their success at UCLA however, both members felt that something, or someone was missing.
Cue Matt Frankel (enter stage left (he was a theater major, so these instructions are more than appropriate)). Yearning for a more driving and rhythmic sound, Michael and Dan turned to Matt Frankel whose natural control of rhythm combined with his onstage presence and ability to grow manly facial hair (Dan is still jealous) proved to be just the jelly to their peanut and butter. Thus began lady danville.
With Michael on the keys, Dan on guitar, and Matt on the cajon (literally), lady danville has begun to make a name for themselves in the L.A. area playing at some of L.A.’s most treasured venues – The Hotel Café, The Roxy, El Rey, Troubadour, The Temple Bar, The Knitting Factory – with artists including Tyrone Wells, Adele, Jason Reeves, to name a few.
In September of 2007, lady danville won the Annual 98.7 Star Lounge Competition with their song, “Tired Magician” which can now be found on the Star Lounge Compilation CD with artists such as John Mayer, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, and many more.
After releasing their first EP back in December of 2007, lady danville is now working hard to write more songs that people can connect with all the while maintaining and building their fan base all across the galaxies, starting with the Milky Way, in L.A.
While working hard on music and life in general, the boys of lady danville still acknowledge the need to have fun and stay youthful which is why on holidays, they head back home to Danville, (Matt lives a few towns away in Hillsborough) and have back to back sleepovers where they fight for spots on the swings, slides, and the new girl in the sandbox.
The band started at UCLA, where huge support among the students and of course, their mothers, have helped them continue their passion for music. Sharing a love for grass stains and insomnia, these three good ole all American boys have come together to create music armed with a guitar, piano, cajon, aww-inducing lyrics, and sweet blending harmonies. It started in Danville and it continues with lady danville...right here.
*Note: Michael and Dan eventually finished their papers and turned them in with 3 minutes to spare. Matt drove them to campus. Long live procrastination.
Haha, I'm pretty sure I'm going to! ;D Cast Away is for reaaal my favorite song right now. And I already told one of my friends to listen to it! Lol. I'll do my best to make my friends like you guys as much as I doooo. Which shouldn't be hard, who DOESN'T like you?! ;] -Mimiiii
Hey! Ahh, I'm really sorry I didn't reply for so long, lol. :| Anyways, haha, I'll definitely look for you guys on Lime Wire! :P But dude, serioudly, Cast Away... I have no words. I teared up when I heard it the first time. It's really, really beautiful. You guys have true talent, not gonna lie. On the 'we lay here, side by side, but I don't, no I won't because I've already felt the paiiiiiin' ahh, *goosebumps*. But really, you guys are amazing and I hope you'll be on Lime Wire cuz I've been listening to you all friggin day. :] Love Aaalways, Mimi
Oh wonderful! I absolutely cannot wait! I listened to the CD in my car while driving around today. a friend of mine was humming one of the songs by the end of the day :)
i wake up to your music. i listen to it while im getting ready in the morning. i walk around whistling it. i listen to it while i take a shower. and when i go to sleep at night. i have not found a band i liked this much in a long time. thank you very much. :-)
aaand I bought it! I've listened to it about twice already, it's truly fantastic. when will Sophie Roux be available to buy? it's constantly stuck in my head!
hellow! you can totally, definitely call me Steph. I really do love the music. I must admit, I haven't bought the CD yet, but I am going to. in fact, I will make a promise to you guys that I'll do it right after I post this comment. and I'll definitely make sure to tell all my friends about you guys!
aww thats awesome! it makes me happy to be able to do make yer day! :] Anywho i will get right to telling more people about you guys! I love yer music. Its amazing :] ive listened to yer songs for the last few days and its really grown on me :] Anywho i hope that i can help you guys get more and more fans. It shouldnt be a problem for you though :] You have amazing music :]
hahah. I'm actually the Activities Commissioner on Student's Union at my school... SO.. I set this stuff up. I will message you what school and such if you are interested, i have an issue with internet privacy... we would seriously love to have you come play. It's a small school, but there are a lot of cool people who already dig your music. :)
Hey :) i love the tunes! I've already told over 20 friends about you guys and ive already burnt a cd so im ahead of you guys. I love yer music. Its great :) Thanks for accepting the request!
hey you should put a copy of Sophie Roux and Spoon on iTunes... i want them. and i'm sooo excited for your new stuff. come to alberta soon. i think this is a good idea. :)