We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Nielsen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.
Alright, Daniel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I’ve always been interested in music even though I wasn’t raised in a musical family. As a child I would listen to my favorite songs and sing along with the radio. I could recognize which band and song was playing within a few seconds. I learned to play some guitar and would perform for friends, but it wasn’t until I started seeing lots of live music and met some other musicians, that I decided to dedicate myself to creating music and performing professionally. There were many magical moments when I felt “touched” by performances. I decided to make music that is filled with energy that people can feel and use to benefit their lives; to lighten their mood and help them forget their troubles for a while, to inspire people to look within and discover their own strengths. Music had inspired and lifted me and I wanted my chosen path to do that for others.
Daniel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Daniel Nielsen and I’m a musician and have been performing here in Southern California since the early 1990s. Im a saxophonist and flutist and I perform and sing my original songs and compositions along with selective favorites by other artists. I write from personal experience and convey my truths. My lyrics are crafted with space and designed to be interperted by the listener to apply to their own personal experiences. I like to use beautiful ballads to transport fans to alternate planes where soul play is possible and then get them dancing to move their bodies and circulate energy within and without. I have recorded 3 releases available on all platforms for streaming/download my first is titled Daniel Nielsen and contains 12 original songs and features acoustic guitar and hand drums along with my vocals sax and flute. My second release YOU NEVER KNOW is my interpretation of latin jazz and contains 10 original songs along with my version of Louie Armstrong’s WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD. This collection features incredible jazz musicians Peter Sprague on guitar, Glen Fisher bass, Richard Sellers drums, Allison Adams Tucker back up vocals and Irving Flores piano. I supply the main vocals, saxophone and flute. My third release entitled UNEARTHED is back to rock and americana with 8 original songs ranging from NEW ORLEANS
a straight ahead rocker, to INTIMATE THIEF, my beautiful country ballad about hanging on after love has left, and all points in between. Im an active singsinger/songwriter who always has a lyric or melody pushing into my consciousness from the ethers of other dimensions. I’m not sure where they come from but I’m so grateful they come. Once I’ve completed writing a song, I feel a responsibility to honor the song and the writing process by recording the very best version of it. This creates room for another composition to be sent to me. The creation of new songs is a magical process. I feel that I’ll not be entrusted with anything new until I honor the songs I’ve already been given, The most powerful, beautiful experience is performing and having people groove with and love one of these magical songs that has been gifted to me.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love to see people react when they really feel the music. Watching people start to move and dance. Watching a smile begin to appear on an audience members face. Some people become completely different when it hits. It’s fascinating to watch a listeners features soften as the musical energy soothes the hot coals that are burning in their mind. Releasing their worries and concerns just for an instant can remind them, “Ahh…this is what life can be.” Music has an amazing healing quality that prescribes exactly what the individuals in the crowd need. Uplifting energy for the weary. Cool soothing vibes for the agitated. Movement for all. When a body moves with the music it circulates the blood , the breath, activates the chakras and opens people up to perceive situations differently. Movement gets people unstuck.
If someone is struggling with a life situation and are extremely concerned about “how is this going to resolve?” Keeping the overwhelming problem in their mind can add to the difficulty. One may not see the answer because their mind is full and they cannot see anything beyond their struggle. Music can inspire them to lay down their troubles just for the moment and allow new perspective to arrive before they pick them up again.
Members of the audience may or may not have this experience. They may or may not tell me if they do. I may never know everyone who has experienced healing at one of my shows. I only know for sure from the fans that come and tell me, “thanks for playing that song. It was my father’s favorite and I’ve been thinking of him all day. ” and “thank you, I really needed a break today. Things have been hard and I appreciate being uplifted.” Or ” I just lost my job. I still don’t know what to do, but now I know that it’ll be alright” . The most rewarding aspect of being a performing artist is seeing and feeling the positive effect Music has in people’s lives. I’m also healed through this beautiful exchange of energy. I’m so grateful to be a part of this love and to be used by the spirit in this way
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I strive to raise consciousness. Both of people who interact with me and of myself. I want to inspire and heal as many people as I can reach. This heals and inspires me as well. Our culture doesn’t always acknowledge or value energies that cannot be seen. Emphasis is placed on material objects , success and money. Music can change this perception a few people at a time. Eventually, a turning point will be reached and the larger culture will experience a shift in priorities.
Our larger culture also doesn’t always respect and genuinely appreciate art and music. Paying huge amounts of money to buy art pieces or concert tickets to support already established artists is not the same thing as valuing art. Its a type of materialism. ” I own a piece of something revered by critics.” In the case of attending live performances by famous musicians it’s experiential materialism. “I’ve seen all these famous bands and that contributes to my status.” I’m not saying that people can not receive energy and healing from famous acts. I just see that it has become less and less about music and more about status and fitting in. Once creatives reach a point of monetary success, creation sometimes becomes something different for them. The artist’s creative fire often now focuses on how to maintain popularity and increase success. I believe this is a natural process. Established artists often lose touch with the soul that helped them achieve success. It becomes up to someone else to carry the torch and illuminate truths .People who support the up and coming creatives are the ones who truly respect art. They are supporting art and music that touches them personally. Not because someone told them its great, but because THEY recognize it as great. They make it possible for art to survive, grow and flourish through their support of creatives who have not yet been recognized by the larger culture.
Contact Info:
- Website: DanielNielsenmusic.com
- Instagram: Nielsenmusician
- Facebook: Daniel Nielsen musician
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DanielNielsenmusic?si=pIol_v3xY1N6DYvp
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daniel-nielsen/1556516724?ls https://spotify.link/T8KEiqtCVDb https://music.amazon.com/artists/B001OR6XLS/
Image Credits
Katya Mezhova Daniel Nielsen Maribel Diaz Micah Baritau Adam Johnson Daniel Nielsen Adam Johnson Nina Simone Svetlana Sorroka