A Q&A with Collaborations

Ed Daniels’ Collaborations project brings indie artists together…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
Our latest release is called ‘You Gotta Know’. It is about asking why things are the way they are and what can we do to change them for the better.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
The hardest part of putting a release together is coordinating all the indie artists. Typically we can have up to 15 people contributing to a release and coordinating their schedules and having my producer (Vic Steffens) blend in all their parts so it sounds like one coherent, seamless track can be challenging.

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
My good friend Vic Steffens of Horizon Studios. His ability to get the most out of every participant and then blend them all together is beyond remarkable.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
I would like people to walk away with a positive mindset and feel as though they can make small changes that can make a difference.

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
I come up with a basic framework for the song including a rhythm guitar, melody line, hook and a general theme of what I want the song to be about. I then give it to my co-writers for that particular song to complete the lyrics. We then give it to our arranger (Matt Oestreicher) to write out all the other parts, i.e. strings, bass, horns, etc. Then we come to the studio to lay down the rhythm tracks, followed by the rough vocal. Then we bring in the gospel choir (Kevin Monroe and Devotion) for background vocals and then finish it off with a final lead vocal. All mixed and coordinated by our producer Vic Steffens from Horizon Studios.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
I am influenced by the music of the 60s and 70s where songs meant something.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
We do not tour since we are a project and only rarely perform live. But if we did I would love to play at Coachella.

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
I would pick ‘You Gotta Know’ since it embodies our message.

What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
I just want to keep making music and at some point get it placed in TV/film.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Love each other and make a difference in someone’s life.

Find out more about Collaborations at collaborationsmusic.com