PHOTO: D.S. CANNING
For the last 15 years, local singer-songwriter Jason Daniello has been toiling on Albuquerque’s music scene, alternately as a solo artist, as one-half the songwriting force in Naomi, arguably the local band of the early and mid-90s, then again as a solo artist, session musician and band leader (The Argonauts), a triple role he continues to work in even to this day. Through it all — and in terms of turbulence, all has been a lot — Daniello’s nine-acre smile has shone through. It’s one of those unique soul smiles one can actually hear via telephone.
Local iQ caught up with Daniello, certainly one of the city’s most important and beloved musicians of the last decade-and-a-half, on the bittersweet eve of his farewell performance, at least for awhile.
So what’s all this about Jason Daniello’s farewell? Where are you going?
I’m moving to Asheville, N.C., with my wife, Liz.
I’m moving to Asheville, N.C., with my wife, Liz.
What made you decide to move on from Albuquerque?
We’d been talking about it for a couple of years, just wanting a change. I have been living and playing here since 1991, and I grew up in Grants. I’ve been [in New Mexico] all my life and I’m ready to live where the grass grows naturally. Finally, we decided to go for it. Liz has some family in Charlotte and we want to be closer to our niece and nephew to watch them grow up. But Charlotte is a bit too big for our liking, so, Asheville was a happy medium. It’s in the mountains. There’s a thriving music scene. And there are plenty of surrounding towns and cities to play shows in.
We’d been talking about it for a couple of years, just wanting a change. I have been living and playing here since 1991, and I grew up in Grants. I’ve been [in New Mexico] all my life and I’m ready to live where the grass grows naturally. Finally, we decided to go for it. Liz has some family in Charlotte and we want to be closer to our niece and nephew to watch them grow up. But Charlotte is a bit too big for our liking, so, Asheville was a happy medium. It’s in the mountains. There’s a thriving music scene. And there are plenty of surrounding towns and cities to play shows in.
How would you describe the current condition of the local music scene in Albuquerque?
I think that there are a massive number of great bands and musicians here for this size town — lots of creativity and diversity flowing through it. However, it’s very difficult to culminate a huge fan base here. We’re very isolated being six to eight hours away from any other large city, and people only have so much time and energy to give to the arts on a local level. It would be fine if there were other cities nearby [local musicians] could spread out the performances to, but it’s not that way. Don’t get me wrong. There are lots of folks here who have supported me over the years and they come to shows and buy CDs. But, it has to do with saturation. How many times can the same people come to my shows? I would get sick of me.
Do you feel the Albuquerque scene helped foster your career as a musician? To what extent?
Absolutely. I started playing heavily in clubs in about 1993. I’ve gotten so much inspiration and encouragement from my peers. We were able to open shows for bands like Morphine and the Jayhawks. Who knows if that would’ve even been possible in another town. I would have to say the extent to which it has fostered my career is very great. I’m still doing it.
Are you moving on alone, or are you taking any bandmates/fellow musicians with you?
No other musicians are coming with me. Danny [Spanogle, bass] and Ryan [Martino. Drums] — the Argonauts — are involved in so many other projects here. They’re both heavily involved in the jazz scene, as well.
Can we still expect the occasional hometown show?
Yes! I plan on eventually doing a little tour from Las Cruces to Albuquerque to Taos and Denver. It’s going to be awhile, though. I have to get my bearings on a new life first.
What drives you to keep pursuing a life as a singer-songwriter?
I love writing songs, recording them, and performing them. It feels so natural to me. Nothing in my life has been such a constant as music has. I live and breathe it.
Describe the circumstances surrounding getting your first guitar and how it affected your life.
I got my first guitar in the seventh grade. I grew up in the mountains outside of Grants. I could either go hiking, which I did a ton of, or play my guitar. It gave me the creative outlet that I needed. Gave me something to look forward to after school. There wasn’t much going on in those hills. We had like four channels on the TV up there, so what else was I going to do? Luckily, I had a best friend who lived a few miles away and played the drums. I remember learning Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and AC/DC tunes first.
Of all your recordings, which is the nearest and dearest to your heart?
Well, I am very fond of the songs on Everything Good. It was such a labor of love. There were some songs that I wrote before Liz and some after. It envelopes what I’m striving to achieve as far as writing and production. Ryan Martino and I holed up in a studio over a period of two years and played almost everything on the record. I guess that’s why it took so long. Liz sings on a track, too, and I have the current lineup of the Argonauts on a couple of songs.
Aside from writing and performing your own music, both as a solo artist and band member, you’ve done quite a bit of session work locally and nationally.
Yeah, a long time ago, I played a guitar track on Illeana Garcia’s first CD. In 2004, I played guitar, mandolin, lap steel, and backing vocals on Nels Andrews’ CD, Sunday Shoes. Most recently, I was in Memphis, Tenn., to sing and play on John Amos’ upcoming CD, Goin’ Nowhere. He’s out of Red River. I sang lead on one of his songs and did some guitar work and backing vocals. It was truly amazing! We recorded at the Woodshed, Keith Sykes’ studio. I got to play with Mark Andes, who was a founding member of Canned Heat and Spirit. And to top it off, Lloyd Maines is going to be on the record. What a thrill!
As a veteran of the local scene, do you have any advice for up-and-coming bands and musicians in town?
If you love it, you’ll keep doing it no matter what. A key element is to get out of town on occasion and create a network of friends. Gig swapping with bands in other places is an amazing way to do just that. It’s like fishing ... you keep on throwing the line in and see what you catch.
What will you miss most about New Mexico?
I’ll miss my friends the most, the big sky, beautiful sunsets every night, New Mexican mountains, red and green chile.
Jason Daniello Farewell Show
with Jason & The Argonauts, SuperGiant, Fast Heart Mart, Lousy Robot and The Trampolines
9p, Fri, July 7
Launchpad
618 Central SW, 764.8887