New album "Claudia" in the works

Following two full days of recording at the start of April, the debut album of The Daniel McBrearty Band, 'Claudia', is scheduled for release later this summer.

The album features twelve compositions by Daniel. The core sound is of lyrical, guitar-based pop, with strong influences of jazz and traditional celtic in places. Featuring Daniel on guitar, vocals as well as clarinet and sax, Breno Viricimo (acoustic and electric bass) and Johan Van Campenhout (drums) form a very strong rhythm section.

With all tracks recorded in such a short time, and everything done live without the use of overdubs, samples or other aids, the sound of the album is very "live and direct". Daniel decided on this approach after more than a year of making laptop demos of some of the tunes, and being unhappy with the results. "I wanted the real sound of musicians playing together", he says. "All of my favourite recordings, in whatever genre, have that feel - the idea of capturing a moment in time."

Johan, Daniel and Breno

"It was a risk, I knew that it would create pressure on us. But all the guys were fantastic, and the intense concentration we put in made it work. Breno and Johan had only worked on the material a month or two, and have never gigged it (although I have been playing these tunes live for two years now). They were absolutely first rate, up there with anyone I have ever played with. They were so good that I was able to select most of the takes (we had up to five of each song) on the basis of my vocal performance."

"Peter, who did the recording, was like a fourth band member as well. For a young dude, he is like a real old-school sound guy - got us crazy at times setting up and moving mics, but the rough mixes we have now prove him right. We have a top class guy lined up to master it as well, and I just can't wait to hear it when it is finished."

"I'm really excited about how this album sounds - I feel that it is something I have been searching for for a long time. Even though I feel I have a long way to go to be where I want as a singer - maybe I will always feel that way - the songs come over, and that was my priority."

Claudia is currently being edited and mixed, and is scheduled for release (under Daniel's "DanMcB Music" label) in July/August.