Jason Daniello hails from the high desert of New Mexico. It is there, where he first picked up a guitar and got lost in the magic of music. Now the creator lives in Asheville, North Carolina. After the success of his band Jason and The Broomstars, Daniello returns but with a riveting rock solo project. With his single "Nobody Knows", Jason Daniello creates an alt rock meets roots rock anthemic banger. Jangly guitars overlay bouncy basslines and a mesmerizing synth line. Jason's rich and soulful vocals sing harmonic melodies creating the ultimate soundtrack to summer.
We chat with Jason Daniello all about his new single, upcoming EP, collaborations, creative inspirations and more. The artist takes us to the heart of the Asheville music scene and reveals what's next for him!
Hi Jason, congrats on your new single "Nobody Knows". Can you tell our readers more about the theme of the new song?
Thanks! “Nobody Knows” is about navigating the modern world with its consumerism, marketing, and the pursuit of success, all while dealing with the everyday realities of jobs and the uncertainty of our aspirations. It speaks to the fact that we don't really know where our dreams will lead us before our time is up.
Why did you bring your wife Liz LeBleu on to the song and what did she bring?
Liz is a super talented musician with a wonderful voice and a great ear for harmonies. We also played together in our band The Broomstars some years ago, with Liz on synth and keys. So, I asked her if she would contribute the lead synth line to “Nobody Knows” and sing harmonies with me. She totally nailed it!
"Nobody Knows" is off of your upcoming EP Darkest of Days. What can listeners expect to hear in the upcoming new music?
Listeners can expect what I like to call “Psychedelic Americana.” It’s a blend of different sounds, from upbeat pop to country-tinged songs and straightforward acoustic folk, all with a touch of psychedelia woven throughout.
This EP marks my return to solo releases after focusing on my electro project Orgatroid with Jeffrey Richards (known for his work with Vic Chesnutt and Hazeldine) on Igor Cavalera and Laima Leyton’s Delayed Records label. I also put out a solo covers EP a couple of years ago independently.
Darkest of Days being released by the Reach West Songs label leans more into my acoustic and electric-based songwriting. I’m also thrilled to have some incredible guest artists on the EP, including Graham Sharp of the Steep Canyon Rangers (who Steve Martin sometimes plays with!), Fredo Ortiz (percussion with Beastie Boys for about 13 years, drums with Gogol Bordello for a while, and now the drummer for Los Lobos), and my old friend Fred Mascherino of Taking Back Sunday and Say Anything, who I met way back in the late 90s in Albuquerque.
Can you tell us more about some of your creative inspirations?
I find inspiration in everyday life, appreciating the small moments each day brings. Photography and videography are a big part of my life and constantly feed into my music. I often use my photos for single, EP, and album artwork and incorporate various treated video footage. Nature is also a huge inspiration. My wife Liz, our son Gus, and his love for fly fishing gets us out exploring the beautiful landscapes of Western North Carolina.
I also had the privilege of being mentored by Bernie Krause, a pioneer of electronic music and a leading figure in musicology and nature preservation. He taught me the art of field recording, so wherever we go fishing, I record the sounds of the environment—rivers, creeks, birds. It’s my way of trying to document and preserve the sounds of nature before they're overwhelmed by noise pollution, which is sadly so pervasive. It’s increasingly difficult to escape the sounds of traffic, airplanes, and industry. But I digress… I've released some river sounds and a flute piece as "Wishcycle" on all the platforms.
You are a staple in the Asheville, NC music scene. How has the area and arts scene changed in the last few years?
I'm not sure if anyone in Asheville would call me a staple, but I've definitely played my share of shows(-;
One show in particular that I recall… I opened up solo for Drivin’ & Cryin’ at The Orange Peel. Kevn Kinney was running late, so the band asked if I knew any Pink Floyd songs. I did, and we ended up playing about four of them. The confused look on the crowd was priceless, and it's a great memory for me.
The Asheville scene is incredibly vibrant and a real creative hub.
That being said, it's also changed significantly. Western North Carolina was hit hard by the pandemic, and then Hurricane Helene came last year. There was widespread devastation with downed trees, power outages lasting for days, and most areas without water for months. Sadly, some towns, like Chimney Rock and Swannanoa suffered immense damage to buildings and infrastructure. Over 100 people lost their lives, and thousands lost their jobs. Many restaurants and shops were forced to close. Here in Asheville, where tourism is a major factor, both tourism and the music scene came to a standstill for a while.
However, from that devastation has emerged a strong sense of community, resilience, and a drive to rebuild. This shared experience has also fueled the creative spirit of Asheville. Visual artists, dancers, musicians, actors, poets, and filmmakers are all expressing their love, frustrations, hopes, and the impacts of what happened here.
The music scene itself is beautiful and diverse, with wonderful venues like Fleetwood’s, Third Room, Eulogy, The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle, and Static Age.
Jeffrey and I often watch the Static Age YouTube channel, which is fantastic because they record every band and show that comes through their space, and a large number of those acts are local. Static Age is a local record store that also has a venue in the back. We actually have a show there in early June!
You have performed in numerous bands including acclaimed group The Broomstars for years. How has the music industry changed in your opinion?
The music industry has always been a bit of a rollercoaster, but the shift to streaming has been a major game-changer. Opportunities for music placement in film and TV seem to have decreased, and AI is definitely playing a role in that, which is a real concern. Plus, everything musicians put online is being used to train AI, so there's that.
Honestly, the music “industry” as a whole feels pretty flawed. It's largely controlled by big players, with major labels having deals with streaming services that disproportionately benefit them while artists receive very little in royalties. It feels like a sham, despite the constant promise of “great exposure.”
On a more positive note, I believe the underground music scene is thriving, with vibrant musical communities all over the world. It’s just harder for these pockets to gain visibility amidst the noise of the internet and the competition for attention from entities with larger marketing budgets.
Musicians today need to be innovative and adaptable to navigate the scene. For example, there are some excellent effects pedal makers here in Asheville, like Asheville Music Tools and Electronic Audio Experiments. Some of these companies build custom pedals for touring bands, creating their signature sounds, which the bands can then sell to fans as part of their merch. These kinds of collaborations, like Aluminati Guitars doing artist models, are examples of how musicians can find sustainable ways to make a living.
What is currently on your playlist?
Right now, I’m mostly listening to full albums, including:
* Cliff B. Worsham – The Cove Ghost
* Graham Sharp – How Did We Do It
* Nick Cave – The Boatman’s Call
* Massive Attack – ALL OF IT
* Aimee Mann – @#%& Smilers
* Yo La Tengo – I can Feel the Heart Beating as One
* Pharcyde – Labcabincalifornia
* A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders
* Joni Mitchell – Hejira
* Melvins – Stoner Witch & Houdini
* Charles Bradley – Victim of Love
* The Budos Band – II
* Thundercat – Drunk
* N.E.R.D. – Fly or Die
* Johnny Marr – Playland
* Sinead O’Connor – The Lion & The Cobra
* Renee by Lost Boyz
* NIN – Hesitation Marks
* Ton Loc – Loc’ed After Dark
* Iron Maiden – Powerslave
* Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke – Tall Tales
What's next for Jason Daniello?
Regarding what's next for me, I'm excited to share that my second single, "Too Deep," will be released on June 5th. It's a jangle-pop track that I had the pleasure of co-writing and recording in Los Angeles with Fredo Ortiz, Robert Holguin, and David J. Garcia, all of whom also lent their musical talents to the song. Lyrically, it explores the themes of impulsivity, avoiding responsibility, and the resulting challenges in reaching one's goals—certainly some reflections from my own experiences.
Following the single, I'm planning to release a full EP later this year. I also have some regional touring dates in the works, and we're currently producing a mini-documentary that captures my recent performance in Albuquerque. Ultimately, my focus is on consistently and persistently sharing my music with a wider audience. I have a wealth of ideas that I'm eager to bring to fruition.
Thank you for the questions!!
Connect with Jason Daniello: INSTAGRAM
