MRG Recordings | Spriewald
SPRIEWALD
For years, musician and songwriter Daniel Spriewald collaborated with and backed numerous artists. As the bassist for Serum (Brick Red Records), he co-wrote their debut album; for a variety of projects by such artists as Randy Cooke (Five for Fighting), Kenny Arnoff (John Mellencamp) and Juan Alderete (The Mars Volta), Spriewald contributed his wide-ranging instrumental talents. With "Full Capsule," Spriewald finally takes the stage - front and center.
"Full Capsule," Spriewald's solo debut, is a labor of love that has the seasoned musician writing, singing and playing on every single song. While craftily pop-rock in fashion, a myriad of styles from alt-rock to Americana are woven seamlessly through the album and evokes comparisons to John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw and the Foo Fighters.
Though some terrible events (including Spriewald being shot in a random act of violence) inspired the record, the message is really more about the wisdom and hope that comes at the end of the dark tunnel of tragedy. Of the shooting, which left 21 holes in his body, Spriewald muses, "It really brought into perspective the real things in my life and made me instantly forget all the bullshit I would usually dwell on."
Needless to say, the song "Shotgun" was inspired directly by the incident. To his attackers - who have never been caught - Spriewald asserts, "I want you to know/I'm still alive/You got nothing to show/It takes a little more than what you got/To take me down." The eerie opening melody breaks into a strong and confident crash that supports the lyrical message. But Spriewald shows a lighter side on "It Ain't Over," a near-perfect pop song about making a relationship work. With its buoyant back beat, the chorus of "I just need to take some time/Every now and then/But it ain't over" is ridiculously sing along-able.
Produced by Matt Sherrod (drummer for Crowded House, Beck), the record was done in a tiny studio that became the guys' hangout. Sherrod and Spriewald initially set out to do a demo, but the producer soon discovered there were no "throw away" tracks on Spriewald's roster. Though Sherrod was busy touring during most of the year, he made time for "Full Capsule," believing in its potential. Of his producer, Spriewald had nothing but praise: "I really became a better musician overall working with Matt," he says.
And what's the meaning behind the title? '"Full Capsule" for me means a human body full of life. It was inspired by my witnessing my father-in-law die a slow but peaceful death. Even when his body was very weak, you could see his eyes had so much expression and life. His body was merely a container for his spirit."
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