31 Comments
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Steven Grady's avatar

This is really great. Very "retro-fresh," if you will. Thank you for sharing, Dan! I think Robyn Hitchcock would dig this, too. Happy LX Birthday, in advance!

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, Steven, on all counts!

Gary Trujillo's avatar

Happy (early) Birthday 🎂🎈🥃🚬

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, good sir! 🍻

Epstein Irwin's avatar

Weirdly wonderful. Hydrangeas are a hell of a metaphor but I’m not sure for what. Just as age is. At 60, you’re still the same weirdly wonderful kid. Write on bro!🤜🏻🤛🏻🫶Dad.

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, my man - for that Tascam Porta 2 and everything else! ❤️

Epstein Irwin's avatar

Did you know that the color of hydrangeas can be manipulated by what you put in the soil. In life as well as hydrangeas it’s all about the balance of acid and alkaline.

Laytah!

scott Taylor's avatar

Lovely song! Jangly swirly pretty psych...I knew Phil kinda sorta. We were running around the pop scene at the same time. How sad...RIP...I too am turning 60 (June 1). In our prime my man...Keep on keeping on...XO Rexo

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thanks, brother! See you in the desert soon!

Dan Pal's avatar

Really interesting song and production! Happy Birthday!

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, Dan!

Matt Thompson's avatar

Happy b-day! Can’t wait to check out the new tune! (I’m in a coffee shop without earbuds, so I’ll have to wait…)

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, Matt!

Brad Tolinski's avatar

Love the immersive guitars! Sounds great, Dan.

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thanks, Brad! And you DO know a thing or two about guitars!

Tamara Casey's avatar

These tracks are great Dan. Happy birthday early, I am right behind you in a couple of weeks. Great post. Sorry about your friend. As we have discussed, this is the worst part of getting older - losing friends, family, pets, health issues, etc. Hydrangeas are one of my favorites. If your Garage Band process is working, stick with it. Don't be tempted by the fancy DAW demons.

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, Taz! GB for life, yo! (Or at least for the foreseeable future!)

Toni DelliQuadri's avatar

How wonderful all this is .... of you, your never ending, always improving, continuously reaching for the stars of your writing and musical abilities. I predict you are well prepared for your next decade with love, kindness, health and creativity at your side. Happy Birthday.....xo

Gerry Wendel's avatar

Nice article, Dan. Sorry you lost your friend, and yes, a lot of the loss starts in your 50's and sadly accelerates from there. In 2013 alone, I lost 15 people, still in my 50s then. And healthwise, hitting 60 for me was like the shit hitting the fan, but I fought my way back and have things under control. Sorry, I don't mean to be a downer, but you are already aware of the reality. On a brighter note, I wish you a healthy, happy 60th in advance. The tracks were great; I especially enjoyed Hydranga.

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thanks, Gerry! And yeah, I know loss and health issues all unfortunately go with the territory - which is all the more reason to “enjoy every sandwich,” as the late, great Mr. Zevon suggested.

Tony Fletcher's avatar

Lovely post, lovely song, and yes, I Hear the difference in guitar sound for sure. And I echo that sense of finding out in your fifties that you no longer give a fuck about the things you used to unnecessarily give a fuck about. It's liberating - and had a lot to do with my own getting back to music after a relatively similar trajectory. CHeers my man, turn up those amps but remember to wear earplugs when you do!

Dan Epstein's avatar

Cheers, Tony!

Mister Stick's avatar

Welcome to the club, Mr. E.

There is a bonus to 60+: Sort of a diplomatic immunity whenever you differ in opinion with some barrel-head half your age. Give it a try, you'll love it!

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, Mr. Stick - I shall keep that in mind!

Brad Kyle's avatar

Happy Birthday Eve, Dan, and all the best for a bangin' weekend!🎂🎁

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, Brad! It’s shaping up to be a good one!

Garrick Rawlings's avatar

That is a wonderfully jangly piece and yeah, the guitars sound good (like they aren't garage band generated!) - welcome to the the wonderful world of post-60, it's the fun age of fun ages!

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, my friend!

Emm as in Music's avatar

I hope you had a lovely birthday and here's to folks like Phil who see us and encourage us to be more and do more.

Emm as in Music's avatar

Also: loved the song. It had that requisite late-60s psychedelia that fascinates and enthralls as it disorients!

Dan Epstein's avatar

Thank you, Emm! Glad you dug it!