Dan Henig
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
Dan Henig by jamesisagirl
I remember Dan Henig and his music from its earliest incarnations in high school, 42nd Parallel. We both hail from Ann Arbor, MI and it was a wonderful surprise to reconnect with him here in Chicago a couple of weeks ago when I found out he transferred colleges. He has always had a knack for writing catchy and addicting music, but his solo work has evolved and matured beyond being just a fun band to go see on the weekends. He’s become an artist to pay attention to, someone who isn’t just playing for his friend’s entertainment in the basement. He’s playing for himself, means it, and he is going places. Check out the interview and music below.
Enjoy.
FYW: When did you start playing and why Columbia?
Dan: I started messing around on the guitar in 8th grade but didn’t get serious about my music until I was 16 years old. I love Chicago, but Columbia also looked like it was a good place for modern artists, not like other music schools. I didn’t want to learn how to be the next Mozart, I wanted to nurture my modern music. I’m majoring in Music Composition, Contemporary Urban Pop- it’s a fairly new program.
FYW: Who or what are you influenced by?
Dan: My life mostly. Where I’ve been, the people I meet, the relationships that either go well or terribly… I’m a huge people watcher. Sometimes I’ll just sit somewhere extremely busy blaring my iPod on shuffle writing about what I see in front of me. It could be anything from roadkill on a busy street in Michigan to an old man in the subway hitting a bucket with a stick on the El. A lot of that… real life, that ends up in my songs.
FYW: I hear you’re working on some new recording with a producer in Michigan, tell me about that.
Dan: Tim Patalan is a great guy who really knows his stuff. He’s done work for Jeff Buckley, Lovedrug, Taproot, Sponge, Brenda Kahn and many others. It’s been a crazy experience. I started out with an internship at his studio after he heard my first work when I was 17. Ever since then he’s been challenging me to write songs that are better than the ones before. He makes the recording process, which many know can be quite frustrating, really enjoyable and mind-expanding. I’m pretty sure he’s a genius, I just try to learn everything I can from him.
FYW: Anything else you want our readers to know?
Dan: Well, I’m an acoustic driven pop guy with a tinge of folk. I try to make memorable songs that mean more than what might first meet the ear. I broke my neck last year in a rugby match back home in Michigan. I took it as a sign to devote my life to music and stop wasting my time on things that aren’t as important to me. Ever since then I can’t see myself doing anything but making music.
FYW: One last question! Who are you listening to right now?
Dan: Imogen Heap, Fleet Foxes, and Phoenix. Love it.
For more information and sounds find Dan at Myspace and at danhenig.com - Familiarizeyourself.com
Dan Henig by jamesisagirl
I remember Dan Henig and his music from its earliest incarnations in high school, 42nd Parallel. We both hail from Ann Arbor, MI and it was a wonderful surprise to reconnect with him here in Chicago a couple of weeks ago when I found out he transferred colleges. He has always had a knack for writing catchy and addicting music, but his solo work has evolved and matured beyond being just a fun band to go see on the weekends. He’s become an artist to pay attention to, someone who isn’t just playing for his friend’s entertainment in the basement. He’s playing for himself, means it, and he is going places. Check out the interview and music below.
Enjoy.
FYW: When did you start playing and why Columbia?
Dan: I started messing around on the guitar in 8th grade but didn’t get serious about my music until I was 16 years old. I love Chicago, but Columbia also looked like it was a good place for modern artists, not like other music schools. I didn’t want to learn how to be the next Mozart, I wanted to nurture my modern music. I’m majoring in Music Composition, Contemporary Urban Pop- it’s a fairly new program.
FYW: Who or what are you influenced by?
Dan: My life mostly. Where I’ve been, the people I meet, the relationships that either go well or terribly… I’m a huge people watcher. Sometimes I’ll just sit somewhere extremely busy blaring my iPod on shuffle writing about what I see in front of me. It could be anything from roadkill on a busy street in Michigan to an old man in the subway hitting a bucket with a stick on the El. A lot of that… real life, that ends up in my songs.
FYW: I hear you’re working on some new recording with a producer in Michigan, tell me about that.
Dan: Tim Patalan is a great guy who really knows his stuff. He’s done work for Jeff Buckley, Lovedrug, Taproot, Sponge, Brenda Kahn and many others. It’s been a crazy experience. I started out with an internship at his studio after he heard my first work when I was 17. Ever since then he’s been challenging me to write songs that are better than the ones before. He makes the recording process, which many know can be quite frustrating, really enjoyable and mind-expanding. I’m pretty sure he’s a genius, I just try to learn everything I can from him.
FYW: Anything else you want our readers to know?
Dan: Well, I’m an acoustic driven pop guy with a tinge of folk. I try to make memorable songs that mean more than what might first meet the ear. I broke my neck last year in a rugby match back home in Michigan. I took it as a sign to devote my life to music and stop wasting my time on things that aren’t as important to me. Ever since then I can’t see myself doing anything but making music.
FYW: One last question! Who are you listening to right now?
Dan: Imogen Heap, Fleet Foxes, and Phoenix. Love it.
For more information and sounds find Dan at Myspace and at danhenig.com - Familiarizeyourself.com
"I hear a lot of new music, and it's a privilege to be able to claim that as part of my job. I'm not always impressed on first listen, but one listen to Dan's music and his voice tells me he's ready for big things. Dan Henig is one to keep your ears and eyes on." - John Bommarito, ann arbor's 107one
"I hear a lot of new music, and it's a privilege to be able to claim that as part of my job. I'm not always impressed on first listen, but one listen to Dan's music and his voice tells me he's ready for big things. Dan Henig is one to keep your ears and eyes on." - John Bommarito, ann arbor's 107one
Discography
Gravity Bound - Single (receives airplay throughout the midwest)
Falling-Single(on Radio)
Chicago-Single(on Radio)
Love Will Tear Us Apart- Single (on Radio)
Sparks-Single
Detroit- Single
Photos
Bio
Although pop musician Dan Henig made his industry debut performing a viral cover of LiL Jons Get Low in 2012, hes been writing and performing original material for years. He has released a promotional EP produced in collaboration with acclaimed producer Tim Patalan (Lovedrug, Sponge, Taproot, etc.), and is set to release new record following his 2014 college tour.
Henigs tracks bring to mind the radio friendliness of multiple big-name musicians, but his attention to detail and lyrical creativity helps set him apart. Behind the euphonious hooks, theres a lyrical depth and, at times, a kind of darkness more suggestive of Leonard Cohen, one of Henigs major influences.
Henig spent his formative years in England, when his father a Ford Motor Company engineer who typically listened to Frank Sinatra, Cohen, Dean Martin, and the like was transferred overseas for work. The family spent 6 years in the UK. There, Henig discovered his passion for music - first playing Cello, than Trumpet, and eventually trying every instrument he could get his hands on. Drawn to the guitar, it wasnt until Henigs family returned to Michigan that he struck a deal with his Mom to get him one. I told her I could figure out how to play any song within 5 minutes at the store. It took me 10 minutes to figure out some Red Hot Chili Peppers song I was obsessed with at the time, but she bought me the guitar anyway!
Armed with his own axe, Henig began honing his playing and songwriting skills. At 18, he enrolled in the music school at Chicagos Columbia College. Turns out I learned more about music from playing shows and writing in my bedroom than I did from a classroom so I quit school, moved back to Michigan and kept creating. Influenced by such musicians as John Mayer, Coldplay, Sara Bareilles, Mat Kearney, and Cohen, Henigs music has a relatability to it thats rare in the modern industry.
With a festival appearances, a nationwide college tour, and several opening slots for acts such as 3 Doors Down, Brett Dennen, Josh Krajcik, and Theo Katzman, Henigs performances continue to captivate audiences of a broad range. As a performer, Dan does not simply play to his audiences, but interacts with them in a unique way that evokes rare emotional appeal and highly entertaining live performances.
Band Members
Links
