Dan Van Vechten music

Welcome!

Welcome to the official 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 2014 album, "Simply Dan String Band", features nine songs I wrote and performed for the recording.  Folks adding their talent to the album include James Funk, Pat Kennedy, Hank Becker, Jeremy Pittman, Suzanna Barnes, Johnny Castetter, Rob McAllister, Jeff Roades, Aaron Hedrick, Jeremy Francis, and Sleepy Andy Tracy.  

In 2016 I followed up with "Get Right", a collection of songs performed primarily with a folk trio including Will Kimble on mandolin and Johnny Castetter on bass. The album is a collection of original songs and two tributes to local songwriters.  Most tracks feature myself on guitar and vocals;  Will Kimble is on mandolin and vocals,  Johnny Castetter is on bass and vocals. Featured guests include Heather Buckley Pauley on vocals;  Hank Becker, banjo;  Jeremy Francis, resonator guitar;  Aaron Hedrick, harmonica;  Joe Macheret, fiddle;  Rob McAllister, guitar. 

My go-to band of late has been Elia Burkhart on bass and Henry "Hank" Becker on guitar. 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. Stay posted for our June 2022 EP release, "Stringtown Sessions".

Recent

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

Call for nominations - Cincinnati Entertainment Awards 2017! 

The nominating ballots are open for Cincinnati Citybeat's 2017 Entertainment Awards!  I have no expectation to win, but it's nice to get a free ticket to the awards ceremony :)  If you would be so kind, click the link below and fill me in under the "singer/songwriter" category.  Thanks!

http://www.citybeat.com/music/spill-it/article/20975027/public-nominations-open-for-2017-cincinnati-entertainment-awards

June 2017 Artist in Residency lineup 

Update to the June 2017 Artist-in-Residency lineup at the Crow's Nest! 

An Artist-in-Residency means a venue gives the artist a regular schedule to fill as the artist chooses, so this month I invited friends to join me on Thursdays this month. Drop in and check out these acts! 

June 1 - Michelle Hemmer solo;  Twig & Leaf;  Dan Van Vechten w/Easy Tom Eby 
June 8 - Jonathan & Chelsea Ford;  Andrew Hibbard;  Dan Van Vechten w/Elia Burkhart 
June 15 - Jamonn Zeiler solo;  Dan Van Vechten w/Jamonn Zeiler;  Joe Macheret & Scott Risner 
June 22 - songwriter round w/Kelly Fine, Stephen Williams, Taylor Shannon, and Dan Van Vechten 
June 29 - Jeremy Francis;  Dan Van Vechten w/Hank Becker;  Pat Hu

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

Two more days to vote! 

Hey all!  If you haven't voted yet for the 2015 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, check out the link and find me in the Singer/Songwriter category.  Voting closes on Thursday, January 21, so get in there while your vote still counts, and tell your friends!

http://survey-citybeat.wehaaserver.com/survey-124-2016-cea-official-ballot.html

Mighty Brother brings “Jettison. Reprise.” to Cincinnati  

So I get this message a couple of months ago from Jake Ryan, who introduced himself on behalf of a band called Mighty Brother.  He was interested in booking a show in Cincinnati and was scouting for local acts to help find the right venue to get their music out to new ears.  I looked up the band on youtube and found videos of energetic, talented musicians with songs ranging from upbeat fun with whimsical themes to deep ballads to life’s everyday struggles.  I became an immediate fan.  I mean, how can you not?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l85GbQjLY-o 
Mighty Brother comes from Bloomington, Indiana, and I can’t wait to hear them live just to find out what band they’re bringing with them.  Their brand-spanking new release, “Jettison. Reprise.” Has 16 tracks of musical versatility ranging from jazzy swings to rootsy acoustic.  Call it swing rock.  Jazzy pop.  Kids today and their rule breaking.  Don’t they know lazy writers are trying to put them into a box?  Not happening with these guys.  You can check out a sampling of their tunes here:   https://mightybrother.bandcamp.com/ 
Okay, so now I have to figure out how I am going to fill up another set of music that holds up to Mighty Brother’s talent and presence.  A band that can swing and harmonize, with fans and friends that will dig Mighty Brother’s sound.  As I listen through the songs, I keep hearing Brittany Gillstrap and Sarah Hutchinson of the Bluebird Twins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0VP3I9sGls.  I sent them a message, they were happy to jump in, and we have a show.  The best part is hearing the Bluebird Twins reaction to Mighty Brother and vice-versa.  They’re already mutual fans. 
Music is going to start at 7:00 p.m. at Braxton Brewing Company, with the Bluebird Twins, Mighty Brother, and Dan Van Vechten (yes, I just referred to myself in the third person) closing out the night.  Cover is $5 and worth every penny :)

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