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Bio:

Since moving to Austin, Texas in 2015, cellist Dan Radin has earned a reputation for being a go-to hired gun in the scene.  He’s backed The Voice contestants, played in bands opening for Grammy/Tony winners, and performed at official SXSW showcases.  This year, the cellist decided to reveal himself to the world as an equally-capable singer-songwriter with the release of his first solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes.”

Radin’s vision of cello-led acoustic rock prominently displays his singer-songwriter roots, garnering frequent comparisons to John Mayer and Dave Matthews.  Radin’s debut solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes,” is a collection of songs documenting failed relationships; however, at its core, the album is a coming out party for a shy cellist who has begun to come into his own as a full-fledged artist.

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Story Behind the Song:

The album “Romance for Antiheroes” carries a common theme of failed relationships due to inherently viewing oneself as an antihero/not worthy of a loving relationship.  In the album’s first single, “Pickpocket,” the narrator grapples with things left unsaid between himself and a former flame, ultimately leaving his imagination to make up a fictional dialogue between the two.

Pickpocket began as a student project. Radin wrote most of the song the day prior going into the studio at The Recording Conservatory of Austin to help a student with a project where he needed to record a local artist for class. Radin finished writing the song during the 6-hour studio session and came out with an acoustic demo of what would become the final song.

An unfinished demo of Pickpocket was the teaser song in an Indiegogo fundraiser launched on 7/31/23.  The campaign fully funded its $10,000 goal in less than 4 hours from 80 backers.  At time of writing, the fundraiser has raised $16,000 and still has 26 days left in the campaign period.  Indiegogo link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dan-radin-s-first-album/x/33918917#/

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“Pickpocket” Lyrics:

Put in the work, put in the time
put his plan in motion, put his heart on the line
Put his best coat on, put away his pride
put you down with ease when he was saying goodbye
Thinking of him, but you’re thinking too much how the
thought of this guy somehow isn’t enough
So you’re thinking of keeping these thoughts to yourself now you
may as well shout it, you’re thinking out loud

Say you’d rather come back to my house
All the sudden you’re honest, it’s freakin me out
It’s not so hard to imagine
This car ride never happened
Say you’d rather come back to my house
All the sudden you’re honest, it’s freakin me out
It’s not so hard to imagine
This car ride never happened

Pick me up, pick a time to meet
Pick a spot at the bar, so everybody can see
How you pick another winner as you pickpocket love
And we pick up exactly where we left off
You told me back then that you didn’t care
You told me that you didn’t see us being here
You told me you’d tell me again and again
Now a dozen years later tell me what has changed

Say you’d rather come back to my house
All the sudden you’re honest, it’s freakin me out
It’s not so hard to imagine
This car ride never happened
Say you’d rather come back to my house
All the sudden you’re honest, it’s freakin me out
It’s not so hard to imagine
This car ride never happened 

And on the way home you got
quiet, Wonder what
happened Is it too late to change your
mind, In the
meantime I let my
Imagination drive

Say you’d rather come back to my house
All the sudden you’re honest, it’s freakin me out
It’s not so hard to imagine
This car ride never happened
Say you’d rather come back to my house
All the sudden you’re honest, it’s freakin me out
It’s not so hard to imagine
This car ride never happened

Pickpocket

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Bio:

Since moving to Austin, Texas in 2015, cellist Dan Radin has earned a reputation for being a go-to hired gun in the scene. He’s backed The Voice contestants, played in bands opening for Grammy/Tony winners, and performed at official SXSW showcases. This year, the cellist decided to reveal himself to the world as an equally-capable singer-songwriter with the release of his first solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes.”

Radin’s vision of cello-led acoustic rock prominently displays his singer-songwriter roots, garnering frequent comparisons to John Mayer and Dave Matthews. Radin’s debut solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes,” is a collection of songs documenting failed relationships; however, at its core, the album is a coming out party for a shy cellist who has begun to come into his own as a full-fledged artist.

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Lyrics:

You thought you felt bad, well you should know that
Mercy won’t come so easily
If forgiveness is the end all
Let it start with me
Your heart’s still aching, your voice is shaking
Waiting for the best apology
You said forgive you if you’re crying
But can’t get up to leave

What do you know about regret
Taking back what you said
Have you broken a loved one’s heart yet
What do you know about mistakes
The ones that got away
Being chased by yesterday

You said ok then, But do you mean it
Broken heart so desperate to believe
You know I’m no good at lying
The things we do for peace
Your hearts still achin
Voice still shakin
Felt the ground rise up to meet my gaze
How many nights not seeing eye to eye
Have gotten away

What do you know about regret
Taking back what you said
Have you broken a loved one’s heart yet
What do you know about mistakes
The ones that got away
Bein chased by yesterday 

What do you know about regret	
Taking back what you said
Have you broken a loved one’s heart yet
What do you know about mistakes
The ones that got away
Being chased by yesterday 
I’m sorry, is how it starts
I’ll meet you where you are
I’d regret us falling apart
From the bottom of my heart

Regret

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"Barefoot" Lyrics:

I was tethered to a tipping point from breaks above the knee
You raised my spirits right back up when I was in your company, 
It was everything I needed, and I was too hard to ignore
You asked for my recovery and you asked for nothing more

That summer whipped me by the belt that held up bigger plans
You wanted me to feel more so you took me by the hand
We saw the best of Carson we rocked that indie show
Your mom met me by accident but no one else would know

I forget about you every year, this June is the same, since I’m
Running barefoot taking off whenever I hear my name
Doesn’t mean that your loss June is someone else’s gain	
In fact you did nothing wrong June
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me

The night was much more memorable than the movie when we parked
You let me drive home barefoot in your little sister’s car
I took my time, you sped on through the double feature film
We drove each other crazy turning up, but never turning in

I forget about you every year, this June is the same since I’m
Running barefoot taking off whenever I hear my name
Doesn’t mean that your loss June is someone else’s gain		
In fact you did nothing wrong June, 
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me

Well I forget about you every year, this June is the same, since I’m
Running barefoot taking off at the sound of my own name
Doesn’t mean that your loss June is someone else’s gain
It might be a little late now June
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me
Is something wrong with me

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Bio:
Since moving to Austin, Texas in 2015, cellist Dan Radin has earned a reputation for being a go-to hired gun in the scene. He’s backed The Voice contestants, played in bands opening for Grammy/Tony winners, and performed at official SXSW showcases. This year, the cellist decided to reveal himself to the world as an equally-capable singer-songwriter with the release of his first solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes.”

Radin’s vision of cello-led acoustic rock prominently displays his singer-songwriter roots, garnering frequent comparisons to John Mayer and Dave Matthews. Radin’s debut solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes,” is a collection of songs documenting failed relationships; however, at its core, the album is a coming out party for a shy cellist who has begun to come into his own as a full-fledged artist.

Barefoot

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Bio:
Since moving to Austin, Texas in 2015, cellist Dan Radin has earned a reputation for being a go-to hired gun in the scene. He’s backed The Voice contestants, played in bands opening for Grammy/Tony winners, and performed at official SXSW showcases.  This year, the cellist decided to reveal himself to the world as an equally-capable singer-songwriter with the release of his first solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes.”

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Lyrics:

Think about somebody that came into your life
Whose eyes warmed you up, their words they were kind
You know this to be true
There’s more of those faces to find

Think about the day before the moment arrives
You’ll meet somebody special, the one of a kind
You know deep down, they’re rushing to be by your side

Oh, it’s a longing that everyone knows
Trust me, I know what it’s like

And it’s almost touching your lips when you need it
And it’s almost decisively turning your back to the pain
And it’s almost wrapping you up, pulling you close at the end of the day
So hang on a little bit longer, I’m on my way
I’m on my way

Think about the way you wanna feel an embrace
Fortresses keeping you guard from the pain
You know this for yourself
It’s out there in the unknown

Think about the summer nights that you were at home
Wondering how many more you might spend alone
You know in your heart
It’s going according to plan

Oh it’s a longing that everyone knows
Trust me, when I say I’ve been there before

And it’s almost touching your lips when you need it
And it’s almost decisively turning your back to the pain
And it’s almost wrapping you up, pulling you close at the end of the day
Hang on a little bit longer, I’m on my way
I’m on my way

So love can wander in when it took a wrong turn
So far off the map, it couldn’t discern
Between crowded streets, looking for the right face
Until your worlds collide

And it’s almost touching your lips when you need it
And those arms almost holding you keeping you safe from the day
And you’re seconds from hearing a voice that you know
Will magically make it OK

Hang on a little bit longer, I’m on my way
Hang on a little bit longer, I’m on my way
Just hang on a little bit longer
I’m on my way

On My Way

About the Artist:

Since moving to Austin, Texas in 2015, cellist Dan Radin has earned a reputation for being a go-to sideman and hired gun in the scene. He’s backed The Voice contestants, played in bands opening for Grammy/Tony winners, and performed at official SXSW showcases.  This year, the cellist decided to reveal himself to the world as an equally-capable frontman and singer-songwriter with the release of his first solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes.”

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Lyrics:
It’s been a lifetime in the making, spotlights never sleep
The search stays on and runs you ragged, unless you criminals believe
Bright lights hail attraction, youth burn out on their own
There three rivers stand for trade, but here they stand for home

She asked for me to go and see her off, but I couldn’t leave my car
Don’t remember leaving, but she watched me leave her
It might’ve been easier to hear her say I’m just not good enough
Than to watch her leave here, I had to watch her leave here
Now New York watches blankly

Slide onto the railing, heels beyond the balcony
She’s looking for that crescent moon, maybe thinking of me too
Settle into chaos, she’s gotta be famous for everyone
She needs acclaim from strangers, didn’t come enough from me
			
Must’ve blacked out but I’m still intact, don’t remember where I drove
But I still have that feeling, I won’t forget that feeling
I tried my best at the terminal, whatever and ever, amen
Didn’t make her stay here, I couldn’t watch her stay here
Now New York watches blankly
		
Must’ve blacked out but I’m still intact, don’t remember where I drove
But I still have that feeling, I won’t forget that feeling
You know I tried my best not to let her go, but I had to see it through
Couldn’t make her stay here, I couldn’t watch her stay here
Now New York watches blankly 
New York watches blankly

If it won’t go the way you want
I’ll be here at home when you come home
If it won’t go the way you want
I’ll be here at home when you come home
So when you coming home
When you coming home

The Blank Face of New York

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About the Song:

The epilogue of the album’s romance rollercoaster, “Anchor You,”’ embodies the duality of holding a partner steady during mental health struggles, while also trying to simultaneously battle your own demons.  The cello-soaked folk orchestra offers post-breakup support as the singer makes peace with the finality of a concluded relationship, vowing “I’ll always anchor you.”

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About the artist:

Since moving to Austin, Texas in 2015, cellist Dan Radin has earned a reputation for being a go-to sideman and hired gun in the scene. He’s backed The Voice contestants, played in bands opening for Grammy/Tony winners, and performed at official SXSW showcases.  This year, the cellist decided to reveal himself to the world as an equally-capable frontman and singer-songwriter with the release of his first solo album, “Romance for Antiheroes.”

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Lyrics:

I promised if I hurt you darling, I’d never forgive myself
I’d separate all my anxieties from states of mental health
So give me everything that’d ever petrify your day
And I’ll take a breath, draw in my chest, and go and send it on its way

Oh, and if I never do make it to Memphis
I’ll carry on that weight
I’m tired but I’m tryin, tryin
To make you whole again
But I’ll always anchor you

I’ve been restrained from the right as rain and jealous types
Tossed a right hook out at love, it just came out of spite
Holding back came easier, so you know how much you meant
I never told you anything I kept under my breath

Oh, and if I never do make it to Memphis
I’ll carry on that weight
I’m tired but I’m tryin, tryin
To make you whole again
But I’ll always anchor you

Anchor You (Acoustic Version)

Damn Red Wine is the lead single from my second album PLAY. It’s a raw but tongue-in-cheek take on sobriety, hangovers, and all the bad choices that come with “just one more glass.” Featuring Austin’s Ruthie Craft on vocals and ukulele, the track blends indie pop hooks with cello-driven groove.

Damn Red Wine

2020 has fucking sucked for a lot of us.  We’ve felt isolated, bored, stuck, frightened, trapped, hopeless, and helpless… but somehow, we’ve persisted.

Exhochamber is representative of all of the above.  It’s a call to those who have stuck through the darkness, persisting through unknowns, and become what they never thought they’d be forced to morph into.  Here’s to everyone who have soldiered on.

Each of these 5 songs were part of my Instagram daily live series sometime this year.  They’ve been on repeat in my own house since, and will be in my heart forever.  I’d like to share this time capsule with whoever needs it, to remind them that the best is yet to come.

Onward!

Dan

How's It Going To Be (Third Eye Blind cover)

Cellist and singer-songwriter on a mission to entertain and delight by bringing cello to popular music.

itsDanRadin

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