"Working with Dan is like working with a telepathic wizard. He knows what you want before you want it. He's able to use equipment in various unconventional ways other engineers and producers would not think of while maintaining a desirable pop sensibility. Not only that, but he works at incredible speed without sacrificing quality and artist integrity. His recording space is the most desirable environment to cut a record...a peaceful ranch-style studio away from city life with a beautiful landscape to reflect on any type of creative idea." - Tommy Evans of Secret Colours
"We had the best time working with Dan. Thats not a nicety, either. From the earthen walls of the studio space to the back porch swing overlooking a riparian meadow, the whole experience was incredibly conducive to the creative process. Theres something of a magic to his operation down there in Dripping Springs. Before we knew it, we had just tracked our favorite project yet and we left feeling renewed in mind and spirit. This speaks highly of the seemless skill and ease with which dan coordinated throughout the day, we'll be back for sure."
- Shane of RF Shannon
- Shane of RF Shannon
"Anyone who works with Dan will relay similar truths...that he has a freak-genius ability to play a number of instruments absurdly well, that he has great intuition for delivering the sounds you want, and that he has an amazing knack for think-outside-the-box arranging.
Beyond all that, his greatest asset as a musician and collaborator is that he's a deeply kind and patient person who is has spent his whole life totally fascinated by songs and sound. I've been listening to his work and seeing his various musical projects for over 10 years and it's stunning to see my friend develop the talent and genius that was always there to reach its full fruition. If you are lucky enough to make your way to Austin, Texas to record at Dandy Sounds, I imagine you will be as overjoyed as I've been." - Greta Morgan of Gold Motel, and the Hush Sound
Beyond all that, his greatest asset as a musician and collaborator is that he's a deeply kind and patient person who is has spent his whole life totally fascinated by songs and sound. I've been listening to his work and seeing his various musical projects for over 10 years and it's stunning to see my friend develop the talent and genius that was always there to reach its full fruition. If you are lucky enough to make your way to Austin, Texas to record at Dandy Sounds, I imagine you will be as overjoyed as I've been." - Greta Morgan of Gold Motel, and the Hush Sound
"Having recorded two albums at the Chicago location, Dandysounds is literally the only studio that Terrible Spaceship wants to record at from now on. Dan has an incredible ear, insane amounts of talent, and the best possible demeanor as a collaborator/engineer/producer/one-man-studio-guy. Now we have to drive from Chicago to Texas next time we record, which sucks. But his studio is that damn good." - Travis Chandler of Terrible Spaceship
"Dan D has an uncanny ability to sprinkle magical, musical pixie dust on every aspect of a recording project. Roomy, natural drum tones, thumping, rubbery bass sounds, twangy guitars, lush organ/piano sounds, and tasteful splashes of reverb are Dan's specialities. Whether I've come in with a rough idea or a fully fleshed-out demo, I always leave Dandy Sounds with something much better than what I came in with. Dan will bring out your best ideas and make them better, he'll get your ProTools editing turned around in the time it will take you to make a pizza run, he'll elevate your mixes to places you didn't think were possible, and he won't break your budget. He makes a mean pot of coffee, too." - Daniel Wade
"I've recorded three albums with Dan (Gold Motel Summer House, Gold Motel Self Titled, and Secret Colours Positive Distraction) as well as a handful of EP's (Talking Fiction) and singles (Blonde Ventura). The reason that I have tried to keep recording with Dan through these various projects is that Dan does more than simply record the music - he sculpts it. Outside of being an engineer/producer, Dan is a talented multi-instrumentalist and artist. These artistic assets provide him with the creative intuition to understand an artists vision for a sonic spectrum - no matter how abstract or specific - while still being able to use his technical ability as an engineer to bring these concepts out of the monitor speakers and into your ears. He's a jack of all trades in the studio. Most importantly, he's a good dude to hang out with."
- Eric Hehr of Secret Colours, Blonde Ventura, and Gold Motel
- Eric Hehr of Secret Colours, Blonde Ventura, and Gold Motel
"Dan helped us to make the exact record we had aspired to create. Working with a musician's ear, a producer's focus, and the ability to know exactly what we were going for, Dan was beyond fantastic to record with and helped us to be at our best. I can't wait to work with him again." -- Ryan Powers of Ryan Powers & The Secret Weapons
