File Under Amazing:: Daniel, Fred & Julie

Imagine a scenario where three of the best songwriters in the indie Canadian scene decide to make a record together. Not like a Monsters of Folk, but more haunting and pain filled like a Ghosts of Folk. Dan from Attack in Black showed up in New Brunswick, and presented Julie Doiron and Fred Squire (Calm Down It's Monday, Shotgun & Jaybird) an idea.

The premise is so simple, but so amazing. Lets sit in a garage and bang out some arrangements of classic folk tracks from the 40s, throw in some songs we write once the mood hits us and record it in a garage without any studio magic. Oh, and lets get it done in a couple of days. The record - aptly titled Daniel, Fred & Julie - is probably my favorite record of the year, but I won't get into it just yet. Daniel is working on a little piece explaining the song choices and I'd like his words be the first you read.

That being said, they decided to release the first single today so I can't NOT post it! Runner was written by Daniel but sounds like it was discovered on tattered old sheet music that fell behind the bookcase in an old farmhouse. The weight of the track fits the project perfectly and shows just how talented Daniel really is. Hearing a song about escaping and the need to move is captivating, but wow, when the harmonies kick in it's breathtaking. These aren't the flavor-du-jour harmonies (read - trying to be Fleet Fox-y), meticulously mixed for affect. No they are simple, and as honest as the admissions of a man knowing he's no good for no one.

This record is one that might fly under the radar, but for the lucky people that make the effort to pick it up, the rewards are unbelievable.

MP3:: Daniel, Fred & Julie - Runner
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/juliedoiron
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/calmdownitsmonday
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/attackinblack