If you are looking for a place to wind down after work Tuesday, May 30, look no further than the Camp House, where the soothing instrumental music of Danny Black will erase the stress of your day. The Pennsylvania guitarist will play music from his new album, "Adventure Soundtrack."
Black - aka Dan Schwartz, co-founder of the band Good Old War - and his wife are outdoor enthusiasts who love trail running, hiking and rock climbing. When he had a break last year from Good Old War, he decided to create an album that "would inspire [people] to go out and make their own adventures."
Recorded last winter in a New Jersey beach town, "Adventure Soundtrack" displays Black's talent on 6- and 12-string guitars as well as his genius for setting a mood solely through instrumental music, no vocals.
If you go
› What: Danny Black› Where: The Camp House, 149 E. M.L. King Blvd.› When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 31› Tickets: $7 in advance, $10 day of show› For more information: 423-702-8081.
"I write songs for Good Old War and sing, but I don't necessarily get to stretch out much in most projects. I felt like I had more to say," says Black in a phone interview.
Black says making this album was a very organic process.
"I wasn't setting out to do anything specific, I just live a certain way. Every day I find a new adventure. My wife and I fit in some kind of trail run or mountain climbing or hike, no matter what. I wanted to make music that suits the life I know how to live. I didn't know it would be successful, I just got lucky and was able to make something I loved."
The album's 13 tracks conjure images of bubbling waterfalls on "Cascades" or dawn breaking in "First Light." If the music doesn't capture a listener's attention, the guitarist's technical prowess will.
Black's music is interesting because of his uninhibited switching of time signatures, rippling arpeggios and his use of variations on a theme.
Black says he began playing at age 8, took a few lessons, but is primarily self-taught. The guitar interested him because "that was the instrument that was around the house. My dad played. I'm passionate about it. I truly love it. I got lucky that somebody put it in my hands."
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.