This week, Karen talks with Emerging Artist and Nashville musician, Daniel Sauls about all things music, Nashville, tour life and food!
Though he first got his start as a percussionist at a young age, Daniel truly sees himself as a multi-instrumentalist or rather, as a musician who uses many different instruments and voices to make music. In the fifth grade, Daniel was gifted a drum set by his grandfather who had been a drummer in high school in jazz and marching band. Daniel found his first musical influence from the Green Day album, American Idiot, and quickly became a pro at many of those songs. In High School, he found himself playing more concert percussion and even thought that he may have a future career as a mallet player, or more specifically a marimba player. It was his high school music teacher and later on mentor who helped him develop a true love and appreciation for percussion in general.
These days, Daniel has become more focused on performing on Ableton, a music sampling software, and has been performing as the “DJ” for Grammy Award winning songstress Lauren Daigle in venues like Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Ryman in Nashville.
Traveling the world, Daniel, has loved the opportunities it has given him, espeicially when it comes to seeing and experiencing new places and, as a foodie, eating some pretty exciting food along the way! Some of his favorite places include San Diego and the Netherlands while some of his fondest food memories include a tasty grilled cheese lobster roll, other seafood dishes, Mexican food, and plenty of cheese.
Why Nashville?
With such a versatile career and skill set, Daniel could easily make a career anywhere, so why did he choose Nashville? Daniel reflects on how the wise words of a Nashville studio owner and music producer told him that he shouldn’t be the best in any given place where you are trying to make your career. It won’t push you to be better. Surround yourself with people who are better than you. Which is why Daniel continues to live, perform, and thrive in such an exciting and talent filled city! If he were to have a billboard in a conservatory or music school, Daniel would have it say, “You can’t play it fast if you can’t play it slow”
Which strongly applies to both music and life in general. In order to enact change, you have to do a little bit over a long amount of time and being aware of the process makes you better. It’s important to remember that everyone started in the same place.
Finally, if Daniel were able to give his past self some advice h
