Los Angeles, CA – Coming to your ears from Toronto via Buffalo, NY, electro-pop artist Daniel Robinson‘s debut EP, North, is all about moving onward and upward in the world.
Featuring tracks the “Heroes in the Sky” and “History Maker”, North has a “heart-on-your-sleeve, deep-space electro-pop” sound that is whimsical and light-hearted. The lyrics give you a feeling of optimism and anticipation, and themes of love, friendship and embracing the unknown future are prevalent throughout the EP.
“North was largely about growing up and getting on with life,” said Robinson, “I had just gotten through some really tough times, and it was kind of a celebration of the next stage”, said Robinson. The title track off the EP follows this theme most closely. “North” transports the listener to an unfamiliar, elevated and expansive place that is both scary and exciting at the same time.
Singing as long as he could remember, Robinson has long been honing his craft. He fell in love with music by singing along to the songs of some of the greats such as Elton John and Bruce Springsteen when he was very young. Though he later sang in choirs and theater in school, he felt the music of choice was stuffy and outdated, and was influenced more by the music of LIGHTS, Björk and Owl City.
When he was 13, Robinson was inspired to begin creating his own music, starting by teaching himself to play the ukulele, and later the guitar and piano. He is constantly writing, and has experimented with different styles such as heavy metal and acoustic guitar through the years.
Eventually Robinson began working with the heartfelt electro-pop sound that is showcased on North. “I think that honesty is the most important element in a song,” Robinson said. “That’s what people cling to, and that’s what makes music so amazing. I don’t think pop music has to be a lie.”
Inspiration for his music often comes from outside sources, such as pop art, fashion, books and video games. A fan of anything that augments reality, Robinson also dabbles in graphic design, and has created all of the artwork for his music.
Currently working as a Starbucks barista (and loving it!), Robinson hopes that North will turn his passion for music into a profession. In the meantime, he is getting involved with charities that promote equality, such as Lady GaGa’s Born This Way foundation’s Buffalo chapter and The Human Rights Campaign.
Released in December 2011, North is available now for download on Bandcamp.com. For more information on Daniel Robinson, visit his website.
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