Ask Jimmy Fallon to Invite Dan Israel to play on his show!

Dear Jimmy Fallon,

I am writing on behalf of a kind friend of many, a wonderful father and one of the best damn musicians I have ever met.  

  Dan Israel   http://www.danisraelmusic.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2GiBVlVe3M&feature=youtu.be

Dan has just released his 13th - (yes I said 13th) self produced CD to local critical acclaim http://www.letoilemagazine.com/

Dan Israel, Dan

(GIANT WHOPPING DISCLAIMER: I designed the album cover of this thing — as a tribute to the Joyce album, widely regarded as one of the worst album covers ever (which, of course, means its actually awesome). So I’m involved in this album in a way, so you can take or leave the objectivity of my review. But I also feel super strongly about this album and felt like I had to mention something about it. So — okay. Disclaimer over, let’s roll.)

So the gradual, gradual, super damn gradual rise of Dan Israel as a player in this town, like a serious player, has been one of the very best things to happen in the last few years. Because it has happened 100% organically — there was never any Dan Israel Hype, Dan didn’t make the cover of City Pages (fuckin’ yet), he didn’t win Picked to Click, he didn’t guest with Gayngs or whatever. He just played shows, lots and lots of shows, and continued getting better and better as a songwriter, and made great albums that also got better and better and whipped up a genuinely real following of people who just straight-up loved Dan as a songwriter and player. In other words, he came up The Old Way, and that never fucking happens anymore, does it? I can only think of a few other examples (Katy Vernon, and even she has a little hype, which is quite fine). And the reason it doesn’t? That kind of thing takes a) time and b) skill, and ever-increasing skill to boot, and c) consistent relevance. Most bands are so tied to their era they can’t last beyond ‘em. But Dan came up in the early 90s, continues now, and is ever-more-popular because Great Songs With Great Melodies are Always A Good Thing. And so Dan Israel gets played on the radio now, and people show up at his shows and people are talking about Dan Israel and how rad is that? Organic.

That said: the reason I’m writing about this despite having to disclaim it is because Dan is his best album. Easily, handily. He’s made some great albums before, for sure, don’t get me wrong. But this one has that kind of special thing about it — full of those little details and quirks that makes an album into a classic. First off: it’s a breakup album, a straight-up old-school breakup album, but interestingly it’s full of amazingly happy songs with some of the most depressing lyrics you’ll ever hear. I love albums with that dichotomy — like you’ll be tapping your foot and realize that holy shit, the song you’re listening to is the most depressing song ever (“You Don’t Love Me Anymore,” which is a straight-up divorce song, and so sad, but man, so catchy!). And secondly, it has the best set of arrangements he’s ever had — like listen to the nifty echo guitar that hits during the verses of “Moving Day” (SO SAD), or the cool electric piano that propels the gorgeous “Two Bright Stars” (and the neat high synth sound on its chorus — did I mention SO SAD?), or the George Harrison-y slide on “Winning At Solitaire.” The combo of those two elements work so well together — it’s a bright, sparkling, super depressing album. That is awesome.

I dunno — maybe it’s the fact that I have been through a divorce — okay, two — fuck you guys, three divorces — that makes this album resonate so much for me. But I have always loved the combination of the super-beautiful and the super-sad, and I’ve always found that it’s even more disconcerting, in a way, to listen to. It’s easy to make an album like Berlin — okay, not easy, really, but there’s no cognitive dissonance, that’s a sad album with sad songs and everything’s sad. There’s something about the “grinning on the outside, crying on the inside” thing that rings more true, if you’ve been there, you know? Like the public face you have to put on to get through the day, the smile you hide behind while inside you’re just shredded. Maybe if you’ve never been through a divorce you won’t get that.  Meaning: it’s fun at the same time it’s sad. Great stuff. And proving again that Dan definitely belongs where he is ascending to: the upper echelon of Minneapolis musicians.  Jon Hunt / Le Etoile magazine (and music writer for the Mpls Star Tribune)

Dan has been working his ass off at his day job with the Government, which is noble, and at times pretty humorous, as anyone who follows him on facebook knows, (see his MN Originals "Government Man"  segment) and he's raising 2 cute kids (as mentioned in above review).

Dan is also feeling pretty sick. He has chronic digestive issues which are painful and disruptive to his ability to create and perform for us.

This Jimmy, is where you come in.

Dan has the talent, and the drive, we all know that- he just needs that big break.

If he could spend his time doing what he loves the most, making and sharing music, he would be able to get healthier too. He has had severe bouts of gastro-intestinal illness and depression over these past few years, (note said divorce) and his weight has fluctuated to unhealthy levels, he is miserable at times with chronic pain, and continues to battle insurance as he fights to obtain a paid leave of absence from his day work to try to improve both his mental and physical health.

In short he is exhausted and needs a break!

He's a great Dad and a sweet man. He fights for social justice and advocates for peace. Dan is honest and kind and could use the support of kindred musical souls who recognize what is truly good.  

We know you love music, and we know you have a good heart.

"were trying to make each other not feel so alone" ...  Dan Israel

We hope you will listen to Dan's music and give him that chance he so deserves,

Peace and Love

Sarah Balk McGrill

Proud Mpls Hippie Chick, and Dan's Best Friend