So I put out my second album nearly two months ago now. It was a project that took several years to assemble and complete. Due to the long span of time the creation took it is not particularly current with regards to my life. My cohort, technician, producer, and friend of nearly 20 years, Jeff Kuglich helped me facilitate it's eventual release as a digital only album. This allowed us to share the music without having to spend money for a physical production, but unfortunately some of the images and written content that were initially intended were not available for listeners. Thus I decided an explicative blog post regarding "...Rides Again" was in order.
First off, the cover pictured is a photograph that my friend Peter Matushek took of me at Lake Street beach in Gary, Indiana. Peter was the friend that I met through Laura Utrata who convinced me eventually to give lake surfing a try after returning to Chicago from Kaua'i in late 2007. Here is an excerpt from an email from Peter in February 2009:
"Dan. I'm telling you man. You gotta ignore all the other bull**** that is stealing your money and get a wetsuit. The times I've had out there are priceless. I've met some really cool people and get a total release from the everyday f***ing crap that sometimes consumes life. I'm sure you know the feeling. It has made my life so much better knowing that I can get out there on my board and forget everything. So get your sh** together man. We can surf and then drink some beer/... Good times await."
That pretty much sums up "the stoke" of surfing in general, and basically marked the end of my resistance to lake surfing; "riding again" in effect. The title also spoke to my life in general, of making a new start back in Illinois while fostering a continued love of all things I had come to hold dear throughout my years away from Chicago from 1996 until 2007.
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| Photo Courtesy of Peter Matushek |
So anyways, back to the album. Here is the artist bio and the album blurb that I wrote to accompany the release.
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| Photo Courtesy of Cheryl Parkes |
Native of Illinois and currently residing in Chicago, Dan Skoda, first dubbed "Surfer Dan" by hip-hop artist Qwel, lived out west for a decade including six years on Kaua'i. There he became an avid surfer and picked up the baritone ukulele, thanks to then roommate Ben Gaskin of Sweetgrass. Dan is essentially a one man band currently, and has thus far chosen not to perform publicly.
Album blurb:
The five years in the making follow up to the Sad Songs of Surfer Dan, … Rides Again is a 10 track assemblage of all original material. Tunes range in style once again, musically influenced by reggae, surf rock, rockabilly, and blues; And thematically from social commentary, Christian spirituality, odes to both parents, and a love song to nature. Once again Jeff Kuglich joins in on all production and creative direction. All instruments and vocals by Surfer Dan, adding some guitar here to the usual foundation of baritone ukulele.
Music style tags:
Reggae, surf rock, ukulele, rockabilly, blues
Artist tags:
Amos Lee, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, Sizzla, Dennis Brown, Thievery Corporation
I wanted to do an album of all originals, which was certainly a challenge. I still generally prefer to play covers of some of my favorite artist's tunes, and feel like my artistic strength is perhaps still better showcased with covers. Nevertheless, we made it happen, and I hope that there's a little bit of something for everyone here.
1, Man of Peace
This track pre-dates my relationship with one Cheryl Parkes and is a ponderance on my lengthy single life. I was questioning why it could be so hard to find what seemingly simple needs and desires that I had in mind. There's a peace that comes with being a part of a partnership, and I was ready to find that missing piece of the puzzle.
2. Sometimes Waking
This was somewhat a contemplation on politics and how everyone seems to think that politicians and government are responsible for fixing things and making the world what it ought to be. I was countering that it's on each and every individual to create the changes that need to take place in our world. Our actions are of the utmost importance, and as long as we live in selfishness and ambivalence nothing will come about. What mark do we want to leave? Life is the opportunity.
3. Angel
So I realized the album was lacking a love song, and I decided to write one to nature. It calls upon many of my experiences living in Washington state, California, and Kaua'i where I was able to witness the wonders of creation firsthand. My faith was strengthened in these discoveries, and a belief that none of these beauties could be created by accident.
4. Unformulaic
This song is pretty straightforward. I never finished college. I learned and grew by following my own heart. You don't have to feel pressured by the confines of "normalcy" in this life. You can make up your own mind about things. I used to think eventually I would figure out "what I wanted to do with my life," in the sense of a career. Well we'll just have to see about that. Everybody has to live their own life one way or another, but following the herd certainly isn't always the best choice.
5. Sweetest Fellow
This song is for my Mom, Sarah Skoda. The "sweetest fellow" comes from my most cherished lullaby that she sang for me as a child. I love you Mom.
6. Dirty Mistreator
This blues number on the ukulele came about from an inside joke with my dear friend Laura Utrata. I thought that using some raw sounding uke in a blues context would be a cool juxtaposition. Jeff was pleased that I was accepting of some heavy affects here.
7. Waves in My Time Zone
There aint' always surf in the midwest. This track comes with a parental advisory. Apparently somebody forgot that fricken' was the correct lyric once on the chorus.
8. G.B.
This one's for my Dad, G.B. Skoda (Bryan.) Without actually teaching me directly, he got me started playing the guitar when I was about 11. That wasn't all he taught me. I love you Dad.
9. You by My Side
God's looking out for me, I know it. Everybody has to go through some hard times and tribulation in life. But if you believe in him he will see you though it. I need him; we all do whether or not we know or admit it.
10. Victory
I don't know what heaven is like because I'm still alive. I don't want to be ensconced in material riches, I just hope that I will find my way to a place of peace and rest and love; and if by some chance I can surf on a beautiful sea of crystal water, that would be just right. That would be my idea of winning.
We can all ride again.
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| Photo Courtesy of Nick Brandt |
"The Sad Songs of Surfer Dan" my first album is currently still available on Amazon.com on cd under the artist name Dan Skoda (instead of Surfer Dan.)
