Daniel Y El Leon, or Daniel and the Lion, got together one year ago with the dream to be different.
With Ryan Alexander on vocals and guitar, Spenser Boatwright on drums and Nick Fogle on Bass, DYEL stands out even from first glance. While most groups take up the stage with at least four or five members, this Columbia-based band stands strong as a power trio.
“Three-pieces were a big thing in the ‘60s, but bands starting getting the lead guitarist, a guitarist and a guy playing keyboards,” Alexander said. “Instead, we just do everything ourselves.”
They're inspired by everything from Queens of the Stone Age to the Strokes, and people describe DYEL as something between dance rock or indie rock. Their genre might be hard to tie down, but ambient rock most accurately describes them.
Every song is composed intricately of moments and movements, and the music’s slow rhythms and drawn out beats give it a calming nature.
“There’s always a break in the song … it just slows down for a moment and then it picks back up again,” Alexander said. “It’s emotional music, but we still want people to be able to move to it.”
Sure, the music is relaxing and enjoyable, but there is some real passion behind Alexander’s lyrics that doesn’t come uninspired.
Alexander came up with the name Daniel Y El Leon as a type of “stab/honor name,” inspired by heartbreak in combination with a biblical reference. That being said, the songs are just as passionate as you'd expect them to be.
Right now, their second album is in the process of getting mastered, and they’re looking to release it at some point over the next two months. In the meantime, DYEL plans to play a few shows and enjoy the holidays.
But this Saturday, they’re set to take the stage at the New Brookland Tavern, just like they have several times before. The Americana rock show will also feature Death on Two Wheels and Radio Birds out of Atlanta, with DYEL playing along with local band Say Brother.
Whether DYEL is playing gigs at Columbia’s Art Bar or concerts across the state, the group’s biggest mission is building relationships with their fans.
Websites like Soundcloud or Bandcamp bother Alexander because they may give people the opportunity to hear new music, but there’s no personality to go along with it.
That's what led Alexander to making DYEL a WordPress account.
Not every run-of-the-mill band keeps up with a blog, but with this format, it gives people a look into the makings of the band. Hearing 10-second sound clips online can give someone a feel for the music, but text and pictures are what get the real story across.
“We don’t want people to just listen to our music or give us likes on Facebook,” Alexander said. “Our big thing is becoming like a family and to make a connection with people.”
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