13 Jan 09 Dan Zanes at Riverside
When I first noticed Dan Zanes’ music clips on cable TV, I remarked to my daughter; who is that hipster dufus? However, it didn’t take me long at all to warm to Dan and his unique brand of psychedelic folk. Dan has a warm and gentle personality and it really comes across in his music. He comes across as a very genuine person, plays a range of instruments (including guitar, banjo, mandolin and blues harp) very well and writes a great many fun and entertaining songs. Despite his understated performance style, Dan exudes charisma on stage. When I heard he was playing at the Parramatta Riverside theatre as part of the Festival of Sydney, I grabbed tickets for my family straight away.
Dan started out playing music with a group of other he had met in West Village playgrounds who were also there with their kids. These fathers playing music together eventually became The Wonderland String Band, which played at parks and parties and on a tape of songs that Zanes recorded at his home. Dan is an inspiration to parents like me, proving parenthood does not have to mean calling an end to creative pursuits.
The New York Times Magazine, said, “Zanes kids music works because it is not kids music; it’s just music – music that’s unsanitized, unpasteurized, that’s organic even.” Unlike many who make ‘kids music’, Dan Zanes feels no need to dumb down his music for his audience. While kids may enjoy other performers, many parents (like me) find enduring them quite an ordeal. Zanes music appeals to young and old alike; the parents at the performance I attended enjoyed every minute and just as much as the kids. All are able to participate and dance and be completely involved.
The other members of the band Dan is currently touring with (colin brooks: drums, john foti: accordion, saskia sunshine lane: stand up bass and sonia de los santos: vocals, guitar & mandolin) are also very entertaining; excellent musicians with easy going, friendly personalities. All made themselves available after the performance and chatted with anyone who approached them. I bought a CD and have all their signatures. Read more about the band members here:
If you want to introduce your child to a fun and enlightening musical experience, I can’t recommend Dan Zanes enough.
Details of Dan Zanes’ Australian tour here:
Tags: childrens music, dan zanes, dan zanes photos, festival of sydney, kids music
