Meet Daniel Leathersich | Songwriter

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

Hi Daniel, why did you pursue a creative career?
Because I had to, or I’d have gone crazy! People who are curious, creative, or entrepreneurial are always going to be pulled in a different direction than the mainstream. I was working office jobs for twenty years, traveling to Milwaukee and Atlanta over and over again, solving the same problems over and over again, waiting for the same responses from coworkers and clients over and over again. I would get frustrated, bored, even flat out angry sometimes. Since I finally decided to give the bulk of my attention to creativity, I am much more happy and fulfilled.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m feel very lucky to be doing what I do. As a songwriter, I get to support the dreams of someone else every day. Sometimes I’m helping to find words for a heartbroken cowboy, sometimes I’m soul searching with a pop-leaning twenty-something, sometimes I’m a guitar strumming low harmony provider, sometimes I’m a secretary typing the words as they fall off of someone’s stream of conscious lips. Every session is different, so I’ve learned that there is not one answer. There is not one path to success. My best work has come when I am open-minded, compassionate, and humble. After being a musician, designer, writer, and visual artist for thirty years, there are a lot of things I know, but I’m most grateful to know that I don’t know it all.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d probably spent a chunk of time in Piedmont Park, strolling the hills and people watching. I like the Botanical Garden too, because I can imagine being in the far away places that the plants come from. Then we’d get a late-lunch roast pork sandwich at Oakhurst Market before a show at Eddie’s Attic. After that, head to Buckhead and grab a drink at whatever spot looked the most vibrant, where we’d sip something strong and eavesdrop on conversations for lyric ideas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to shoutout my all my collaborators – every writer, artist, producer, guitar player, manager, publisher, A&R rep, song plugger and friend I’ve ever gotten to work with. This community makes me stronger. The music business is a “who-you-know” business, but that doesn’t mean you have to know A-List celebrities. It means you have to know people who are as passionate and creative as you are, so you succeed together. I also have to shoutout my wife, for trusting me to take us into this unpredictable business and come out thriving on the other side. Her confidence is a lifeline.

Instagram: danielleathersichmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dpltube8988

Image Credits
Photos in studio: Jonathan Olivares
Photo on stage: Sarah Edmonds