What’s even more interesting than Danielson’s pop-gospel music is the story behind frontman, Daniel Smith. The original Smith band, Danielson Family, could have been a reincarnation of the Partridge family. At very young ages, the family children would play musical instruments and put on performances for family and friends. In Daniel Smith’s teens, he had a spiritual epiphany and started to write songs. The family band were known for Smith’s screechy vocals, inthralling synchronizations, and theatrical costumes. At some of their unforgettable live shows, they would dress in nurse uniforms or Smith would perform in a nine-foot tall tree that would “bear the good fruit,” in reference to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The band even had their special unknown friend, Sufjan Stevens, tour as a band member. Smith pushed then-shy Stevens to perform his songs live while on tour. Danielson: a Family Movie is a great documentary that chronicles Danielson and Sufjan’s stardom. Family members would come and go as life happened with new marriages and children. The band, Danielson, consists of Daniel as the only Smith left and friends with rare appearances by other siblings. Their last and most successful album, Ships (2006), is most recognized for the single “Did I Step On Your Trumpet.”  The song, “Grow Up,” is off their upcoming release, Best of Gloucester Country (February 22). Guest appearances on the album include Sufjan Stevens, Jens Lekman, and Serena-Maneesh’s Emil Nikolaisen.

Danielson – “Grow Up” MP3