We are up on Spotify, YouTube Music, iTunes, Apple Play, and a variety of other platforms now, so get to your favorite app and put us in your algorithm!
Welcome!
Welcome to the official web page for Dan Van Vechten and my music projects! I am a local singer/songwriter who grew up listening to folk and country music, then returned to it to find my sound after being influenced by the folk music I heard when I moved to Cincinnati. A few years ago I started writing songs, and then I started inviting local musician friends to join me while I played them. We will often play songs written by local folk bands out of tribute to their influence. Performances range from solo sets for coffeehouses or smaller spaces to a folk trio with bass, banjo, and sometimes more. My sound is always described as warm an soulful - although I can and do play some bigger stages, my best fit is often a restaurant, patio, or parties where enjoying each other is as important as the music.
My go-to duo partner for the past 5 years ago has been Henry "Hank" Becker on banjo. He knows my songs and has been a part of all three of my EP/LP releases. We love our folk and bluegrass, but we stray from the norm enough times that you'll probably hear some songs you know in one interpretation or another. In December 2022 we celebrated 100 live performances together and we do not plan on slowing down anytime soon! Also in 2022, Hank and I teamed up with Elia Burhart on bass and several local friends to record and release my third studio project titled “Stringtown Sessions”, which can be found on Spotify here.
Recent
CincyMusic review
When you aren't sure what to write for a review, write your own review :)
https://cincymusic.com/blog/2022/06/stringtown-sessions-ep-release-this-friday-at-crows-nest
Stringtown Sessons EP Release!
We've been back in Cappel Recording Studio this spring so Tommy can put down some of our favorite songs for you. Three of them are original songs, including the title track, and three will be songs written by local artists with their blessings. Hank Becker plays banjo and Elia Burkhart plays bass throughout the project, but we have a couple of curveballs in there as well! Guest artists include Joe Macheret, Sleepy Andy Tracy, Jamonn Zieler, and Rob McAllister. Release party will be at the Crow's Nest in Cincinnati on Friday, June 10.
new song!
Check out one of my latest songs. "Oskaloosa" is about a little town in central Iowa, and maybe a few other things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50-U75ICARE&t=2s
Photos from the Get Right CD release at SGHR
Thanks to Scott Preston from Cincy Groove Magazine for taking pictures at the Southgate House Revival last weekend! Check out his shots:
https://www.facebook.com/cincygroovemusic/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1459417934083495
Get Right CD release is almost here!
Ready for some fun? Friday night is going to be some bluesy, grassy, swamp-stompin' music in the Revival Room at the Southgate House Revival. The celebration is for the release of my second LP, titled "Get Right". Will and Johnny will be joining me, along with Heather Buckley Pauley on vocals, Suzanna Barnes on fiddle, Aaron Hedrick on harmonica, and Hank Becker on banjo. River City Roustabout will open things up, and Hu Town Holler will be standing by to finish things off when we are done. CD is included in the ticket price for the event:
http://www.southgatehouse.com/event/1277651-dan-van-vechten-cd-release-newport/
Check out our entry for NPR's Tiny Desk contest!
I got together over the weekend with Will and Johnny to make a video of "The Irish Goodbye" and some others. This is the version I sent in to NPR today, so let's hope it gets us some attention!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLfqValmwec
New pics posted on CincyGroove.com
Hey Folks! Scott Preston from CincyGroove.com came by and took some pics of us playing at Wunderbar Covington last night. Check 'em out, and stay tuned on CincyGroove for more pics and videos!
http://www.cincygroove.com/?p=62698
http://www.cincygroove.com/?p=62698
The Simply Dan String Band joins Jerry Springer at the Folk School Coffee Parlor
Now this was a one-in-a-lifetime experience. A few months ago we were contacted by the Folk School Coffee Parlor, where I often attend songwriting workshops and artist performances. We were offered a spot on Jerry Springer's podcast: "Tales, Tunes, and Tomfoolery", where he and cohosts Jene Galvin and Megan Hils discuss current events while featuring local folk music acts. We practiced up a tune and joined them for an episode. Check it out! http://www.jerryspringer.com/
Simply Dan String Band to be featured on CincyMusic Spotlight
Hey Folks! I submitted Grow Bananas to be a featured song on CincyMusic.com and it has been selected! Tune in to hear Venemous Valdez on Cincinnati's Project 100.7/106.3 when she plays my song among other local selections on the CincyMusic Spotlight at midnight, January 12. CincyMusic.com keeps a full calendar of local music and in-depth profiles of what local artists are up to, including a page for the Simply Dan String Band!
links
A rare Thursday evening show at the Friendship Tavern! Old Mill Campground should be full of people for the Blackpowder shoot that week, so bring a tent and make the trip! My buddy Ben Turner will add songs of his own into the evening for us.