Danny Carroll draws a lot on the specific, on the everyday, in his song-writing.
That might mean drawing inspiration from contemporary politics and the lack of empathy, reflecting on how political systems are reflected in such mundane choices as buying your coffee, or living with anxiety.
Some of Carroll’s song-writing starts with an essay. That’s to get his thoughts straight. “Once I have all the words, I feel emotionally attached or invested in the idea.”
Then he’ll simmer that down with others in the band into the succinct and snarky commentary on modern life that runs through the songs of Shrug Life.
Listen to him talk about all that and more, and perform some tracks, in this month’s Music at Marrowbone Books podcast.