Danielle Oliver | Sun for Snow

Published: November 28, 2011

Young singer-songwriter Danielle Oliver, originally from Whitefish, writes with a wisdom beyond her years. Her debut EP features well-crafted lyrics and nice melodies.

Oliver's band consists of her on piano, organ, mellotron and glockenspiel; producer Brett Allen on guitar, banjo and electronics, and Brian Wright on the drums. There's good production throughout in this first effort, which was recorded, mixed and produced by Brett Allen at SnowGhost Music in Whitefish.

Oliver's Austrian mother listened to opera and classical music, and her father liked Johnny Cash country. Thrown into the mix is John Denver's folk-pop sensibility and the songwriting of Tori Amos and Jewel.

The artist studied voice at Pepperdine University and opera in Vienna. As a result, she's got good control and the ability to stretch out – and she tells good stories.

"Casualty of Me" has a soft-rock open and interesting chord progression. The passing of her father while she was in college led to the grief exposed in "Adrienne," with its long, slow, sustained vocals and world-weary tale.

"Grey" tells of an everyday task – doing the laundry – that morphs into shock at the discovery one's lover is having an affair. It's sad and quiet, with Oliver's mellow piano underneath. "Advice," with its cool snare backbeat and catchy melody, finds Oliver's breathy nasal vibrato singing, "Thank you for the advice … I took both hands off the wheel, had fun while I was young … "

The last tune, "Will I Like You?" is a pensive and smooth waltz; here Oliver is coquettish, flirty yet curious. "After all our habits have chased us right out the door, after all our love is through, will I like you?"

The album officially debuted Feb. 23, with a show at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, CA., and Oliver recently completed a tour of western Montana nightspots.

Visit the artist at www.danielleoliver.com.

– Mariss McTucker