Song Premiere: Besides Daniel “Wonderfully Made”

Credit: Sara Jayne Brewer

Danny Brewer, the mastermind behind Besides Daniel, pulls from his own experiences and life lessons to craft the songs on his upcoming release, T E E M I N G.  Due August 24th, the project is a personal reflection on the adventure of putting roots in the ground, committing to love, healing through suffering, and the celebration of new life. This collection of songs humbly puts into perspective the weight of life lessons, true friendship, the risks of marriage, and the triumph of a healed heart. 
 
Focusing on melody, harmony and simple, elegant songwriting, T E E M I N G is a dynamic blend of poetic lyricism, evocative vocals, and refreshingly cathartic honesty. Today, TDC is honored to premiere the delicately flawless "Wonderfully Made", a subtle and beautiful invitation to self-acceptance that stirs the emotional pot in the best way possible. Brewer had this to say about the track,

"Have you ever flawed and defective and weak? Or somehow you felt you were exposed as a fake or a failure? Me too. But I know I’m not a fake. And instead of hiding in shame, I sing about it the realization that I’m enough. I am completely enough and I am wonderfully made. This song helps me to celebrate my vulnerability. I’ve made mistakes, but I’m not a mistake. I’m teeming with life."

Enjoy, and share, the song above. Then read on as Brewer answers his Essential 8 where, like his songs, he speaks openly and honestly about the album, finding balance, touring, and more.

---

Credit: Sara Jayne Brewer

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
T E E M I N G stands in contrast to those before it in that it celebrates an optimism I’ve never had. My 2013 release was a journey into struggle, brokenness, and the redemptive power of grief. T E E M I N G however is a stripped down-subtle reflection on the adventure of putting roots into the ground. It's documenting the commitment to love-healing through long-suffering, and the celebration of new life. I’m proud to have experienced the most dynamic season of life in the past 5 years as I’ve been writing this record. This humble collection put into perspective the weight of life’s lessons, true friendship, the risks of marriage, and the triumph of a heart that has healed. 
 
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
I draw most of my inspiration from relationships. Not only with others, but with myself and with God. “Wonderfully Made” is an exploration of my relationship with myself that it implores me to not be ashamed of who I am.
 
What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
I’d say don’t listen to hype or to the criticism of most people. Find those who build you up, who make you feel loved, valued, and respected and celebrate those relationships. The world is enormous and if you’re struggling to find an audience it may just be because those who will love you haven’t found you yet. Don’t pander to people, because listeners can hear it.
 
Do you have any touring tips?
Don’t drive too far. I became completely exhausted when I would plan ambitious tours which would leave me behind the wheel for 8- 10 hours a day. That is horrible. I would then after try to route my tours with enough downtime to see the places and people wherever I found myself. This could help you establish great friendships and relationships. Also, it takes 2 weeks for the newness to wear off when you’re on the road with a group of musicians. Things can really get ugly or awesome after that 2 week mark so be careful with who you travel with. If it’s a new group, maybe don’t schedule much more than 7 - 10 days.
 
What has been your biggest struggle so far?
I’ve struggled with my own ego, my own perception of what I’m doing, and what motivates me. I’ve struggled with making my art into something that I use to prop up my own insecurities. I’ve struggled to let go and let my songs be what they are, even if they seem simple, uncool, or too vulnerable. I’m learning to let all this go.
 
What has been your biggest success?
I define success by balance. The balance I’ve struck is in my marriage, my community, my relationship with my daughter, and with my craft. I am quite pleased with life and I’ve found fulfillment and that is what this record is about. Perhaps that could change, but for now I’m celebrating it. The biggest success is my life will never be measured by status, or whether my name is in lights at Madison Square, it’s measured by the quiet peace I have when I go to bed at night. In my music, a few songs made their way to NPR’s All Songs Considered a few years back and that was fun to see. I felt proud of the work I had done and thankful that someone like Bob Boilen respected it enough to air it.
 
Do you have a favorite thing to do on a day off?
I love to garden, to work on my tiny house, and to bike. All those together are my favorite thing.
 
Is there a recent release you cannot stop listening to?
Hope & Sorrow from Wilder Adkins is a record I absolutely love. He is a songwriter based out of Birmingham, Alabama. We’ve played together a few times, he's such an astounding writer.
 
In the time between TEEMING and his previous release, Brewer became a husband and father and learned from the unique experience of building and living in a tiny house in the mountains of North Georgia. “Our house is very simple and spacious for being 250 square feet. It’s minimal as far as time and energy are concerned because we don’t have a lot of overhead in our life as far as bills, and it is very easy to maintain. I hope the record is informed and guided by that spaciousness,” reflects Brewer.

T E E M I N G is set for release August 24th.
For more information on Besides Daniel:

Website/Facebook/Twitter

---