Meet Daniel Graham | Bassist, Vocalist, Songwriter | Great Wide Nothing

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Graham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Great Wide Nothing came about in phases. I demoed out the tracks that would become our first album, “The View From Olympus” on an outdated MacBook in the spare bedroom of an apartment my wife and I were renting back in 2015-2016, chiefly as an outlet for a lot of emotional and spiritual upheaval I was going through at the time, but also as an experiment of sorts – I wanted to see how much I could do, as a songwriter and composer, totally on my own. I didn’t set out with the intention of starting another band. I’d more or less had enough of that after putting several years into a previous one and watching it dissolve in a really disappointing, frustrating way. However, I’m not all that great a guitarist or pianist, and I can’t drum to save my life, so I knew that even if I was able to write the parts I had in mind, I’d need some help to execute them in a real studio (and certainly in a live) setting. So I started looking for folks to work with, on a “hired gun” sort of basis. Eventually, I ended up with Jeff and Dylan. Jeff I knew previously from my work in the aforementioned previous band. Dylan I met through a mutual friend. Both were exactly the sort of musicians I wanted involved in the project. By sometime in late 2017, it became clear that we had something unique going on – something that was more than just the sum of its parts, and definitely something more than what I could in good conscience call a “solo project”. We tossed around a few different names (most of them awful), and “Great Wide Nothing” was the one that stuck.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Over the last several years, Great Wide Nothing has released three studio albums (two entirely self-recorded/produced) – on a budget of basically nothing and without the benefit of a label, an A&R Rep, etc. We’ve played shows throughout the Southeast, we’ve shared stages with bands that are now on international festival bills, and we’ve opened for Grammy nominees, all without an agent or any form of management. And all the while we’ve remained true to our values – as artists and as people. If I had to point to one thing that sets us apart and makes us unique – one thing I’m most proud of about us – it’s that we have never waited for anyone’s help or approval to do what we want.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s a lot to do in Atlanta and only so many hours in a day. That being said, a Braves game, a trip to Criminal Records, a local show somewhere (lately the DIY spots in Underground – Inner Space & Mom Said It’s Fine – have been my go-tos), and a late night trip to Waffle House all seem like essentials.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well for one thing I have to thank my wife, Isabel. It’s only because of her support and patience that I’m able to set aside the time and energy necessary to write, record, perform, book, promote, etc. And I can’t say enough about Jeff & Dylan. The two of them have stuck with me for six years now, and I’m proud and grateful not only to call them my bandmates but two of my best friends. Lastly, I think it’s crucial I emphasize that – unless you come into the industry with a whole lot of money and connections up front – your “scene” is what makes or breaks you as an artist. To that end, Great Wide owes a lot of gratitude to other bands we’ve connected with thus far, many of whom have encouraged us, given us feedback, and shared our work with their own circle of friends and fans, and also to anyone who simply takes the time to actively engage with art at the independent (especially local/regional) level.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatwidenothingatl/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gwnatl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatwidenothingatl

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUtMEU1JFqFj3Yk0S_mQvw

Other: Bandcamp: https://greatwidenothing.bandcamp.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SHie1kw2ZMANSQJTJzKzp?si=z7og5oJuQ1aT1SMwFuSJZA Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/great-wide-nothing/1455439342

Image Credits
All photos by Ken Lackner