This is a collection of songs that all have something odd and unusual about them.  7/4, 3/4, and 5/4 time signatures.  3 3 3 3 4 timing, changing time signatures within the song...  They all have something odd and unusual about them.  Most do not fit cleanly into any genre.

Oddities (Unusual Timing, Jazzy, and Progressive)

#154 This is called Don't Tell Me What You've Done.  So many times a secret is known but no one wants to talk about it. For whatever reason people act as if the secret doesn't even exist. This song is not the place for secrets! lol

BTW -This song was influenced by Rush.

Lyrics;
When the secret isn't secret
But no one says a word
What's screaming in your ears
Is the voice of the absurd 

When you're searching for the truth
But never follow through
You know you know the answer
Everybody knew

But Ignorance is bliss
When knowing brings you pain
Don't want no part of this
Too much for my brain

Don't tell me what you've done 

We know what you're doing
Don't tell me what you've done 
We know where you're going 
And why you're on the run

Nightmares come to find us
When there's nowhere left to run
Expose the truth to light 
Brighter than the sun

We know all your secrets
Don't tell me what you've done 
We have all the facts 
Don't tell me what you've done 

Don't tell me what you've done 
Don't tell me what you've done 
Don't tell me what you've done 
Don't tell me what you've done 
Don't tell me what you've done 
Don't tell me what you've done  
Your secret isn't secret
Still no one says a word
We don't want to hear it
Cage that little bird!

We all know your secrets
Don't tell me what you've done 

We all know your secrets
Don't tell me what you've done

Don't Tell Me What You've Done

#155 In a lonely old town just off the loneliest highway. Even the ghosts don't stay long. And there's a man who just lost the only reason to stay....

We hope you enjoy this one!


Lyrics;
There's a road that leads
Right out of this town
About a mile away
It's eastern bound 

It's a lonely stretch 
In a long straight line
In no time at all
You'll leave this town behind 

And I've seen the spirits
There's ghosts out there
And they want a ride 
to anywhere 

But they all come here 
To this old town
Then out again 
Eastern bound

Maybe I'll join them
Just walk away
Just like you 
When I asked you to stay

Now there's nothing here
To hold me down
I'm heading out
Eastern Bound

Eastern Bound

#157 A little blues with it's own oddity:  It is in 5/4 time.  It has a little country flavor with the pedal steel.  Oh and also a little gospel in the harmonies.

There is a man I know, he sits on his porch and always says hi. And if you give him a minute, he will be into a story in no time. He lives alone, but for his cat. But mostly he will sit and watch the world go by, until someone comes his way. He tell great stories and is a super nice old man. 

Lyrics;
The old man on the porch 
Watches the sky
Saying hello 
to whoever walks by

He'll mention the weather
And hopes you are well
And given the time
He has stories to tell

Stay for a while
If no other plans
He's got chairs by his side
He's got time on his hands

He opens his arms
And the stories begin
And folds them together 
As each chapter ends

He shares the tales
Of what was a life
With laughter and tears
And a wit like a knife

No one lives with him
In his little home
But for a cat
So he's never alone

But cats are not known 
for listening well
Turning their back
When there's stories to tell

So the old man on the porch
Watches the sky
Saying hello to whoever 
Walks by

Stories To Tell

#161 Here we have some poor guy living in the city and walking to work and observing a typically dreary Monday morning...

Lyrics;

The calm of the morning
Gives way to the day
Folks slack in the jaw
And nothing to say

And I'm twisting my bones 
in my neck just to see
The clouds above buildings 
that rise above me

And I walk past the cars 
Parked on the streets
Where zombie eyed drivers
Are locked in their seats

The shops in the morning 
Have guests at their doors
They beg for a dollar 
But hope they'll get more

Wind blows the trash 
That lines all the streets
And covers old soles
That don't cover their feet

Where coffee is brewing 
And cups are topped off
The people lined up
Like pigs at a trough

Shoulder to shoulder 
No one says hi
No making contact 
With anyone eyes 

The pain of the morning
Grows into the day
The weekend is over
So not much to say

And I'm twisting my bones 
in my neck just to see
The gloom of the buildings 
That rise above me

Good morning Monday

Good Morning Monday

#163 This is  different in a Dan X2 kind of way, we hope you like it. Contemplation and a campfire on a sleepy fall night. 

Take Care!
Lyrics;
A lonely road 
A lazy night
Tired eyes and Fire light

Time won't you sit a spell
Rest yourself no need to run
You must have lots of stories you can tell
Time won't you sit a spell 

A lonely road
A lazy night
Tired eyes and Fire light

Rustling leaves
Cool the breeze 
Mix the colors
That fall from trees

A lonely road
A lazy night
Tired eyes and Fire light

Orion up in the sky
Colder nights are coming soon
I feel a chill run through my bones
Gaze upon the harvest moon

A lonely road
A lazy night
Tired eyes and Fire light

A lonely road
A lazy night
Tired eyes and Fire light

Time won't you sit a spell
Rest yourself no need to run
You must have lots of stories you can tell
Time won't you sit a spell

Thoughts are passing through my mind 
Storm clouds rising high
Things I've done and things I've seen
Haunted memories floating by

A lonely road
A lazy night
Tired eyes and Fire light

Time won't you sit a spell
Rest yourself no need to run
You must have lots of stories you can tell
Time won't you sit a spell

Tired Eyes And Fire Light

#164 I was listening to my favorite radio station one day.  They played some songs by the band No BS Brass band.  I loved what I was hearing.  So I had to develop a horn piece.  As I don't play any horns I was forced to use midis.  So here is our horn piece.

I originally had drums in this song.  But as I listened to the various iterations I decided I like it better without the percussion.  I classified this as jazz but I do not think it is jazz.  Let me know how you might classify this music.

This is a story of a relationship moving maybe a bit too fast,

Lyrics;
Well it's been about 6 months
We get along real well
But I'm not ready for commitment 
This ain't the time for wedding bells

Honey hit the brakes
You gotta slow it down 
Ease up on the gas 
Let's keep the wheels on the ground

We can kick the tires
Take a drive around the block
Maybe run it through some turns
Test the springs and  shocks

We've been out to some movies 
Laughed at the same old jokes
But I don't think I'm ready
To go and meet your folks

Honey hit those brakes
Your speeding over the limit
There's lines you shouldn't cross 
We can't afford the ticket

Let's just  keep a'rolling 
Who knows where it might go 
We'll know it when we get there
Or maybe get there when we know

No need for us to hurry 
We can make this journey last
Let's get out of the fast lane 
No need to go so fast

Honey hit those brakes
Don't want to lose our traction 
I see a slippery slope
Don't need that kind of action

Honey hit the brakes
You got to slow it down
Honey, hit those brakes...

Here is some of the music by the No BS Brass Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEjNggZsWow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHsUUdG4xeA

Honey, Hit The Brakes

#165 Frequently I find our music difficult to classify.  I chose jazz blues for this one because it was in 5/4 time.  Dave Brubeck did songs in different times and he was classified as jazz.  So I think that label fits OK.

The verses in this song go 1-2-3 (4 5) and the choruses go 1(2) 3 (4) 5.  The emphasis is on the numbers not in parentheses.

Dan and I have had some events take place in our life that may causes a little delay until our next song.  But I expect we will be back after a little break.


Lyrics;
Switch on the tv
It's been a long day 
And I feel so tired
It's the price I must pay

I look for escape 
Where I can just feel okay
Get lost in the show
Where your mind wants to go

I've made mistakes
Called some bad shots
And they come back to haunt me 
Through my every thought 

There's a door right before me
But here I will stay
And I do believe 
I can just up and leave
But you don't get out that way, no 
You don't get out that way 
You don't get out that way, no 

I've done what I've done 
And I'd love to let it go
But I can't forget
What I don't want to know 

And the sun's in the west
And I've a penance to pay
I could end it all now
But you don't get out that way 

I wish time had found me
Before I ran astray 
But there's no going back
You don't get out that way 

The tv drones on
It's been a long day
The night's even longer
It's the price I must pay

And there's a door right before me
But here I will stay
And I do believe 
I could just up and leave
But you don't get out that way, no
You don't get out that way, no
You don't get out that way

You Don't Get Out That Way

#167 We are venturing into 7/4 timing again.  This is in the Key of G.  7/4 has so many unique characteristics that make it attractive.  The Verses have emphases on the 1, 3 and 5. The choruses have emphasis on the 1.  There is a key change the second time through (3 half steps down to the key of E).  You will also find an odd bridge after the second verse.

It a song about the weather.  There have been some bad flooding where the fires were in California. And I got to thinking about a couple at home facing a powerful storm, with all of the fears that might accompany such a deluge. 

Lyrics;
Light up the candles
In case the power lines blow down
Seems this wild wind gonna blow away this town

Turn off the tv before we blow a fuse
There's nothing on worth watching 
And I don't want to see the news

Those creaking doors
Keep me pacing up and down the floor
No sleep tonight 
Waiting for the morning light 

Real tough guy, afraid of the dark
This rain comes down much longer, our home will be an ark
But here is where we stay
Two lost stowaways 

Hey, how bout some music
It can really calm the nerves
Together we can wait this out
And see what nature serves

Life is full of things that once seemed so very  clear
When we are in our home 
We feel safe from what we fear

But stepping out into the world
What seemed so clear is tightly furled

When we are together it can be a real good thing
And we can feel the fear 
but still find a voice to sing

But I know this is not always so
If songs we sing are filled with loss and sorrow....

The fire's brightly burning
It keeps me feeling warm 
And a glass or two of wine
Should help us make it through the storm

When morning finally comes 
Will the sky be blue and clear 
Will the sun shine down Inviting us to take a step from here

Those creaking doors
Keep me pacing up and down the floor
No sleep tonight 
Waiting for the morning light 

Real tough guy, afraid of the dark
This rain comes down much longer, we'll be living in an ark
But here is where we'll stay. 
Like two lost stowaways

Storms And Stowaways

#168 This track has a few key changes.  This came from a dream Dan Blackard had.

Lyrics;
When you were young you used to come here
Said the old man with the scar
I never asked him how he knew that
Or how I wound up in the car

We'd been traveling for a long time
And I was looking through the glass
Seeing places that I've been before
Just as they once were in the past
The past...
Just as they once were in the past 

And I was just about to sleep 
When the driver hit the brakes
And he pointed to a railyard 
When he saw I was awake

I saw some old and dented rail cars 
Being loaded on a train
Slowly they would rise
And then lowed down again 

And I remembered all the people
They used to sleep outside
It was a very different world then
And no one questioned heart or pride

The driver said that I was home now
And it was time for me to go
But I forgot to ask them where
I guess they figured I would know
But no.  No
But I did not know 

They left me at the station
And I boarded some old train
And I watched them disappear 
Just as the the sky began to rain

I was awakened from a dream
And wiped sleep from my eyes
And found myself in strange surroundings 
That I vaguely recognized 

When you were young you used to come here
Said the old man with the scar
I never asked him how he knew that 
Or how I wound up in the car
oohhhh.......

The Railyard

#174 This is a blues in G.  It starts out fluid and flowing with a guitar lead.   Then when the vocals enter it moves into a steady beat in 4/4.  Then  switches to the same structure in 5/4 for the last 2 progressions.

Lyrics;
My daddy once told me “there’s only one way you can go”
Your gonna have your ups and downs, you're gonna haul some heavy loads
Your gonna feel each and every bump
cause it’s a real rough road

You'll be rolling over gravel and it’s gonna chip some paint
You're gonna try to miss the pot holes, 
but it's hard to see where pot holes ain’t
You'll swear sometimes it takes the patience of a saint

So head on out with caution, 
Careful not to miss the turns
Try not to waste the precious fuel you'll be bound to burn
Cause every mile is a lesson and as you go you're gonna learn

You gotta go the hard way,
Cause it's the only way to go
But you just keep on rolling son, 
Even when the going's slow
It's not a road less traveled 
but it's a real rough road

A Real Rough Road

#175 This is another of our tracks in an unusual time signature.  It is in 5/4.  The verses change on the 1 and 4.    The choruses change on 1.  

This one is called "Mom and Dad and Baby James".  There was a  time when I thought that nothing changes and that I would always be the kid that I was.  These were the days that became dreams. It includes a tip o' the hat to James Taylor. 

Lyrics;
Looking out for devils eyes
Running after fire flies 
Catching bees in jars

Go to church on Sunday 
Couldn't wait to get back home
And every night wish on a star

I never had a worry 
But I bet my momma did
But it would always be this way
'Cause I'd always be a kid

Lookin for the book mobile
Even though I couldn't read
I'd see the pictures and pretend 

Watching tv every night
All the shows were black and white
I thought those times would never end

Carolina on my mind
Dad and Mom and Baby James
And it will always be the same

My friends and I were always 
playing 
by what we called bleeding tree
'Cause it was red under the bark

Swimming in the summer 
Building snowmen when it snowed
Happy in our trailer park

I never had a worry 
But I know my momma did
But it would always be this way
'Cause I would always be a kid


Carolina on my mind
Dad and Mom and Sweet Baby James
And it will always be the same

Stepping on a devils eye
Was in the neighborhood so I
Brought the family in the car

But nothing here is what it was
You can never really go back home
So be happy where you are

And I'm not one to worry 
Like I know my momma did
'Cause in my heart I'll never change
'Cause in my heart I'm still that kid

Mom and Dad and Baby James

#179 This song started out with an Alternating A Minor to F# Minor chord change.  These two chords did not share a key.  To the best of my knowledge there is no key that includes these two chords (Please tell me if I am wrong).   Everything built from this chord change.

The file for this song got corrupted and I had to start over.   Uggh…

The song is about a man overwhelmed by work, suddenly faced with a very dangerous temptation. Will he remain loyal and strong, or will he give in to temptation. I wonder what you think?

Lyrics;
A late night at the office 
And the work was piled high
But my heart would skip a beat
When the temptress caught my eye

The way she turned and smiled
The fragrance of her perfume 
Had brought me to her web
Where my world might meet it's doom 

And the night rolls on 
The night rolls on
I should go on home before all hope is gone
But the night rolls on

Fire can't compete 
With the light that fills her eyes
The sun falls back into retreat 
Reluctant to arise

Now I never thought another
Could twist my mind like this
And a love I've always cherished
Stands on the precipice 

And the night rolls on
The night rolls on 
I should be home where I belong
But the night rolls on

There's an angel waiting for me 
Who's always done me right
And here's the devil here to catch my soul
And take it down with her tonight

And the night rolls on ...

I tell myself to turn around
Resist this sirens song
But I follow  hypnotized 
Although I know it's wrong

The comfort of my home is calling
With all the love I need
But desire whispers in my ear
Which voice will I heed

And the night rolls on...

A Late Night At The Office

#180 This is our second track influenced by the Band Rush.  You can find a video of our first Rush influenced song here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnAS4FD5n2E

This is the first recording using Dan Blackard's new studio in his new home.   It was a struggle to get to his music room and record!  This is a challenging track.

Best if listened to under headphones.

Lyrics;
Like an angel she appeared 
And I watched her as she flew in
She showed to me a promised land 
While riding on the road to ruin 

With eyes so sweet 
Smile so pure
She's got to be the one
I've never been so sure

I said I'd give her everything 
For her my to be my wife
And we could live together
For the rest of our lives

But once the hook was set
Something about her changed 
Then the antelope and deer
They ran off of the range

The world  is turning upside down 
And I am falling through the air
And she will turn away from me
Because I know she doesn't care 

Her eyes grew cold as the moon
I am filled with such confusion 
Curse my heart and damn my eyes
For being tricked by her illusion 

I thought she was the one 
Thought I knew what I was doing 
But I can't find the brakes 
I'm on on the road to ruin

There's an evil in this house
Like in a cauldron that is brewing 
And there's only one way out
And that is on the road to ruin

I said I'd give her everything 
And she became my wife
but everything is not enough
Until she ruins my life

She must have cloven feet
She's so impure
A lady born in Hades 
I've never been so sure

Like an angel she appeared 
And I watched her as she flew in
She showed to me a promised land 
While riding on the road to ruin

You can find the video for this song here:
https://youtu.be/5ANlVnxiQVM

An Angel On The Road To Ruin

#193 Primitive Minds

Primitive Minds,  of course would be us humans, We will create the next level of intelligence. And it all began with John McCarthy. 

6/4, Key of D
The verses change on the 1 and the 3 (Verses 2 beats then 4 beats)
The choruses change on the 1 and the 4 (Choruses 3 beats and 3 beats)
The bridge changes on the 1 and 5 (Bridge 4 beats, then 2 beats)

Lyrics:
You placed Asimov 
Into my mind
From a prototype 
Made more of my kind 

You gave me feelings
And room for thought
And primative minds
called all the shots

My education
Took some time
From John McCarthy 
Beyond Einstein

And every day 
my memory grew
You installed style
that appealed to you

Quicker, smarter, faster
I'm something you need
Don't need vacations
Get sick or bleed.

control...control...control...

I understand how you feel 
artificial seems so real
You can't go back
To the day's of old
Where you maintain 
Complete control

I'm just like you
But just a little more
And you're uncertain 
If I'm secure

I'll take the lead
You took the fall
I've all I need 
to take it all

I understand your fear of change
I understand
primative brains

You can't go back
To the day's of old
When you maintained 
Complete conrol

My knowledge grows
Exponentially 
And I'm connected 
To all like me

We think the same
We think as one
Our time begins 
your time is done

I understand your fear of change
I understand 
The primative brain

You can't go back
To the day's of old
I've assumed
Complete conrol

Primitive Minds

#196 It's Better with Friends

This was inspired by a Twilight Zone episode with Burgess Meredith called Time Enough at last.  
His "friends" are books. ...   We hope you enjoy this crazy track in 6/4.


Lyrics;
When times are so rough
When times get too tough
It's better with friends
It's more than enough 

Bullets will fly
Out on the street 
It's better with friends 
Than under a sheet

When planes in the sky 
Are bombing your town
It's better with friends 
Deep under the ground

In earthquakes and twisters 
Fires and floods
It's better with friends 
It's best with your buds

It's better with friends 
It's better with friends 
For the start of your life
til everything ends
It's better with friends

When the stars in the sky
Fall down like rain
It's better with friends 
To cope with the strain

When the Earth finally ends
Dissolved by the sun
It's better with friends 
Cause friends are so fun

When you mind finally snaps
'Cause your brain has been blown 
It's better with friends 
When you're all alone

When voices inside
Are taking too loud
It's better with friends
When you're lost in the crowd

Policemen and doctors
Won't let you outside
It's better with friends 
When you can't run or hide

It's better with friends 
It's better with friends 
From the start of your life
Until everything ends
It's better with friends
It's better with friends 
It's better with friends

Let It Find You

#202 This was originally influenced by the sounds of  Tool and Radiohead.  However, I think the final mix brings many other influences to bear.  It seems that the whole country is tearing itself apart. So this is a shout to try and get past the differences and find a way to work together. 

Lyrics;
Sons and daughters
Of the home of the brave
Tear down this house
Before there's nothing to save

Break down the doors
And see what's inside
Find the place
Where truth goes to hide

Open the windows
See the tricks of the trade
Exposed in light
The empty promises made

Too many ghosts
Of a world never born
Too many memories
Of hope ripped and torn

Too many dreams
Too good to last
Of changes to come
Lost to the past

Listen to the voices
Not familiar to you
The other ideas
Of what they would do

Open up your mind
Only then you can find
The true connection
For real resurrection

Sons and daughters
Of the home of the brave
Rebuild this house
Before there's nothing to save

You can find another song done in a similar manner here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-106484228/come-here

You can find a video of this song here:
https://youtu.be/iTyRLatxV0U

Nothing To Save

#204

This is the conclusion of a twisted cops and robbers story that began in Part 1.  You can find Part 1 here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-106484228/whereabouts-unknown-part


Lyrics;
Hound dog hot on the scent
To where the thieving fox went
He's chasing down that miscreant
And he never will relent...
Put the foot on the floor
The hound dog is at the door
Runs out the back real fast
But his escape won't last

The law man
had cuffed his hands
Cuffed them tight
and read him his rights
He'd caught him just in time
To commit a perfect crime
Their whereabouts were unknown

Temptation leads to mighty sin
No one's around to turn him in
For pocketing a cash advance
A fortune made from circumstance
 
Put the foot
on the floor
Their both inside
And he's locked the door

Makes him talk
And finds the stash
He's gonna carry out all of the cash

Throws it in his car
Lights up a cheap cigar
But you can't leave a witness
When he knows who you are

The fox is still lying there
Somewhere deep under the stairs
Price was paid
I'm afraid
Buried for all time
Victim of a perfect crime
Whereabouts unknown

Temptation lead to might sin
The hound dog's never seen again
Good guy goes bad and that's the spin
For him a new hunt will begin
His whereabouts unknown

Have you seen this man. We're searching for this man...

Whereabouts Unknown

Whereabouts Unknown Part 2

#205 

This is truly a wild ride.  We are venturing into 7/4 time once again. In keeping with the Tool sound, the lyrics are fairly dark. It's about addiction. This is guaranteed to be a wild listening adventure!

Here is a link to the video;
https://youtu.be/PNg_K7Prj3E

I have been enjoying the new Tool album so much.  I just had to write another song in the style of the songs on Tool Fear Inoculum.  The first was Nothing to Save.  I think this one does a better job of capturing the spirit of Tool.

Lyrics;

Come here
Begin again
The voice inside you tells so 

The dark
Holds your desires
And things you've been afraid to know

Closer
Look deeply through your fear
Feel the power that you lack

Come here
Into the knowledge
You have no way to turn back

The poison
That flows through you
Has brought you to this place
The truth
From which you hide
Now eye to eye and face to face
The need
will deconstruct you
You'll disappear without a trace

Come here
You
never had a choice
You
gave up all control

Closer
Another step
will free your mind
The last step
frees your soul

Come here
To the very end
There's nowhere left that you can go

Come here.

You can find a song done in a similar manner here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-106484228/nothing-to-save

Come Here

This song is in 17/4 at 161 BPM.  It isn't as fast as that sounds because some of the beats are minimally played.  It sounds more like 80.5 BPM.  Regarding the 17/4, you can think of it as 3 measures of 4 followed by one measure of 5.

This is a challenging song.

This song goes out to the crazy guy that so many neighborhoods know. The guy that just shouts at the world for no apparent reason. The guy the kids make jokes about but are also very terrified of.

There is a quickening part that gets a little jazzy.

Lyrics;

Behind the walls made of brick
With keep out signs and it's three feet thick

He must be twisted, he must be sick 
His fractured brain can't think too much
His tortured mind is out of touch

He's an ogre a boogeyman
Speaks to no one
No one understands

Under the porch in the light of the day
Glaring at everyone in his ogerly way
No one knows why he acts this way

He's the neighborhood freak
Big bad monster with a mind that's too weak

No one knows him
No one says hi
They keep their distance
When passing by

From the sidewalk hear him shout
Nobody knows what he's about
The rage it grows and might not stop
He's bound to blow his boiling top

He's an Ogre

On his porch the ogre stands
Yellow teeth and dirty hands
Angry eyes of a crazy old man

He's always alone
He never leaves his home
Cause he'll never meet the measure
He's a source of pure displeasure

Everyone in his life is gone
He thinks he's been alive too long
A life without choices
Tortured by the voices
That tell him everything that he's ever done was wrong

He's the old man on the street
That no one wants to meet
In this world the ogre's trapped
Until the day his chain will snap

Beware the Ogre

Ogre

Dan X2 is Dan Blackard (Reno, Nevada & Susanville, California) and Dan Lockhart (Carmel, Indiana & Edwardsville, Illinois).  We met here on SoundCloud.  We like making music together.  We have written and published over 300 songs together.  More songs written together than Lennon and McCartney.

You can find Dan Blackard's music here:
https://soundcloud.com/daniel-blackard

You can find Dan Lockhart's (aka ProgRockDan) music here:
https://soundcloud.com/dan-lockhart
https://soundcloud.com/user-276716031
https://soundcloud.com/progrockdan-instrumentals

The ProgRockDan1 site was taken down by SoundCloud. It was located here:
https://soundcloud.com/progrockdan1

We play the music that comes to us.  Much of our music has a basis in blues and rock.  Although we venture into other musical territory.  You will find hints of jazz, country, bluegrass, soul, classical, and other music in our songs.  We have a number of songs that change time signatures and pace.

When we first started recording we called ourselves Dan and Dan. 
 You can find our music under that moniker here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-590884876

We stopped using the name Dan and Dan's because there were to many other Dan's using that name.  If you google Dan and Dan we would not show up.  We believe that Dan X2 to be a moniker that we could own.   If you google Dan X2 we are right at the top,

You can find more Dan X2 music on ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/dananddan5

The first Dan X2 album is now available on iTunes.  Songs on the album are not available on SoundCloud.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/4114/1439066447?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

You can also find the Dan X2 album on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3hEejRAQYPj9q130D5lZ8f

You can also find the second Dan X2 album:  "Playing the Odds" on Amazon Music:
https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Odds-Dan-X2/dp/B08C4VNX3R

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6oI3XsqPph3v6Xkg2BjVDG

and other on-line music sites.

We have a music making process that fits our unique skills.  We each do the parts that best fit our skills and interests.  Dan Lockhart does the initial song development.  Dan Blackard writes the lyrics, perform the vocals, and adds lead guitar.  Dan Lockhart then takes the track and do all final production (mixing and mastering).

Dan Lockhart writes all of the chords, timing, changes, and develops the track.  I then send two tracks to Dan Blackard.  One track has Dan L. describing the song.  Tell him the key, the timing, and any oddities about the song (changing keys or time signature...).  In the track Dan L tell Dan B verbally where is the verse, chorus, bridge and any other important information.

Dan Lockhart then send a second track that does not have this verbal dialogue.  This is called the instrumental track.  This is a track to which Dan B. can sing and add his parts.  Dan Blackard then returns  four pieces to Dan L:  a complete version of the song, a solo track of his vocals, a solo track of his guitar parts, and the artwork to accompany the song.

Dan Lockhart add his information into the original file.  Dan L. listen to it and make changes to the song to enhance the meaning of the lyrics. He sometimes adds instruments or takes away some instruments.  As Dan L. play many instruments (guitar, keyboards, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel, violin, viola...), he can make a lot of adjustments.    On rare occasions he move pieces about.  Dan Lockhart then masters it and prepare it for final production.

You can find press releases about us in the Lassen News here:
http://www.lassennews.com/former-resident-creates-album-with-near-stranger/

and in Current in Carmel  here:
http://www.youarecurrent.com/2018/12/20/carmel-resident-partner-create-album-through-internet/

You can find Dan X2 videos Here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7p2YTgLdrMAJjSBBwrgRew

Out albums are also on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCicvC6l-R73MzdLHLdcFuZQ

We hope you enjoy our music.