usually just me. the other day a sound person yelled out at me "when are you coming back with your band?" i said, "dude, i AM the band."
Influences
jesus, little walter, don reno, john hartford, william blake, richard hell, godzilla, marc bolan, igor stravinsky, various knuckleball pitchers drag racers motorcycle riders, eyvind kang, bill frisell, wayne horvitz, captain america, harry partch, sonny rollins, my dad, my brother jimmy, pete seeger, agony column, arthur guitar boogie smith, autechre, benny martin, mark rubin, captain beefheart, cecil taylor, henry threadgill, ornette, morton feldman, roni size, red foley, queens of the stone age, slim harpo, suicide, zeke, and this street guy i saw play the guitar with a plastic fork.
the proceeding epistle shall be in first person form.
i got started messing with sounds in my youth, i've been at it more than thirty six years. my first instrument was five string banjo and that still is my primary expression, but other things get used also to get the point across.
you can find all sorts of info on me via the googler, and i shan't post that all here because it feels like bragging or something and that makes me feel uneasy.
my dharma is to bring american roots forms into a contemporary expression.
i call this music folktronics.
there is a site dedicated to this idea, www.folktronics.com
here are some things that make up my work life:
writing songs for my own records,
practicing the banjo and trying to get as good as i can on that,
playing and touring in other people's bands,
producing records for myself and others,
writing music for commercials and films of various kinds,
touring as a solo act,
remixing tracks for various applications,
learning as much as i can about stuff that freaks me out.
i'm very interested in sample based music, found sound, electronic music, old blues, bluegrass and old time, punk rock, contemporary composed music, twelve tone composition, country, metal, folk, poetry, avant-garde, experimental, fractured pop music,
and other things that are interesting.
i have a guru and a shotgun. and a fast motorcycle, a jeep, a nice wife, a nice simple home, a pretty yard, a beach to walk on, jesus, mom, my brother jimmy, a little sailboat, a fixed gear bicycle, two unicycles, three or four skateboards, my friend charlie, my dog skillet, an arch top guitar, a philosophy, sacred texts, a couple of flyrods, several banjos,
tons of books, a beat up suitcase that isn't very old, a modest collection of vinyl records comic books baseball cards, a disc golf pole basket in my backyard, ..............
the last job i had outside of music was painting apartments when i was in my twenties. one day i took my banjo to work and the guy said i should quit and play music instead. i'm really glad he said that. one time i got frustrated and was going to quit playing and go to work in the maritime industry. i went and took a week long class and got my coast guard Z card. then i got a chance to make some recordings with chuck leavell and changed my mind. captain dean white also discouraged me in this and i stuck with music. sometimes i have struggled and sometimes i've done pretty well. sometimes both at the same time.
Your new CD is absolutely amazing. Definitely one of the best CD's of 2009, I'm so impressed. Not a bad tune on the entire disc and an absolute joy to hear. Thanks for making such fantastic music.
Listening to The Old Codgers- damn I love this CD, and your version of Broken Hearted Blues is just amazing. I know this old songs for you but it's in my ears as I write so I thought I would let you know.
Please keep me posted on any New York shows. I've seen ya twice but it's been a while.
If ya ever get a chance to listen to my drunkin' messy tracks, I would love to know what you think.
hey danny i'm just wobdering if you're doing either of the portland shows that are listed for the doug fir and the aladdin....? hope the pickins are good....sorry i missed string summit....i'll bring pie to jug r not....lookin forward
the northwest string summit was amazing. bluegrass makes me smile despite myself. thank you and maybe i'll be at banjo camp next year. Let all of your friends in metal bands know that you want to visit Iowa. Everyone's invited I'll make you sandwiches and sweet corn.
PYSCHED! about the Nov.-Dec. tour with Pinkus. I think you gotta come to the Northeast this time around (Philly) NJ,NYC, I'll be there! It has been awhile since you graced us with your presence, out this way. Hardly Strictly was great last year! Times r hard & $ tight or else I'd be out in Portland this weekend. Guess I'll just bide my time. Love that "Junkie Math"
Barnes!!! Thank you for all that you do! I'm listening to you rock.it.out with YMSB and Tim O'Brien in 2006 (and with Yonder 2009 in GA - um, wow!!!)and just had to stop by and say how incredible you are. Everything you do..from the Barnyard Electronics to ALL THE INCREDIBLE downloads on archive.org!! WOW on so many levels. The Danny Barnes Collective is a.m.a.z.i.n.g...plus playing solo, acoustic, electric, playing with Bill Frisell, Darol Anger, the aforementioned, Thee Old Codgers, Bad Livers...Everything! I love it! So just basically thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! I love everything you do. AND you're the NICEST person EVER! THANK YOU!!!! You inspire me beyond words.
Really looking forward to having you on Tennessee Shines! Your folktronics will blow minds. Anyone who can't attend the show can tune in to WDVX 89.9 FM or stream the show May 27, 7pm Eastern time on www.wdvx.com.
