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ABOUT

“At the juncture of electro-pop, indie-rock, and pure funkiness, the group creates music with swagger, mindfulness, and an irrefutable spark that can set any night on fire.”

— Ones to watch

Strange days have found us. For indie rock trio, Daniel Ellsworth + The Great Lakes, they know that all too well. Formed in Nashville but now peppered across the country (Los Angeles and Ohio), connected by satellite, fibers, and vibes, the band is known for their high-energy live performances, introspective lyrics, and a touch of something familiar that you can’t quite pin down every time you hear it. If they’re not riding in a silver Ford Econoline, headed to other cities and other Chicagos, you’ll find them holed up, writing songs, and on-edge – looking to create the next thing, bearing honest witness to all things human, or flipping a record over. Wise Lost Boys with a conscience, but still a thirsty, boyish spark. That is Daniel Ellsworth (lead vox, keys), Timon Lance (guitar), and Marshall Skinner (bass). A silky, organic monster made from the remnants of pop swagger, sunglasses, self-aware grown-up realism, road trips, anxiety, and just plain, pounding fun.

It began in 2011 with their debut album, Civilized Man, recorded and co-produced with the talented Mark Nevers (Andrew Bird, Yo La Tengo, Lambchop), marking their initiation into captivating rhythms and sophisticated melodies, yet retaining a pop charm. This album secured a place in Amazon's top 100 albums of 2011, with its single "Shoe Fits" launching at number seven on Amazon’s top 100 songs the same year. DE+TGL’s follow-up album, Kid Tiger, recorded at Sputnik Sound in Nashville by the iconic Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, The Raconteurs), was released in 2014. Their potential was recognized when Esquire Magazine named DE+TGL among the 15 Bands to Watch that same year. Kid Tiger was followed by the Bemidji EP in 2016, also recorded with Powell.

Two years later, a period of transformation saw the birth of their acclaimed Fashion album in 2018. The direct and punchy record evolved throughout the writing process and was crafted at Nashville's Elephant Lady Studios with the help of indie-pop connoisseur, Kyle Andrews. DE+TGL was already no stranger to building big sounds, but this album took that tendency even further. The scope, the sweep, and the height of the sonic space they could reach being stretched more and more – as if it were a scientific experiment in how captivating, euphoric, and pounding pop can be.

2019 ushered in a fresh era as the band released a burst of heavy self-produced singles, including the pulsating “Way You Are (ft. Ruby Amanfu).” This was followed by the 2023/2024 release of HIGH LIFE (Curation Records) – a record written throughout 2019-2022 and recorded in Los Angeles, CA, engineered, co-produced, and mixed by Justin Glasco (known for work with Paris Paloma, Brett Dennen, The Lone Bellow). It’s an existential 7 song journey about change, resistance, love, regret, and recognition of our shared humanity.

Now the band is back with HIGH(er) LIFE (out June 27th), the deluxe version of their 2024 album HIGH LIFE, featuring the unreleased track “Keep It Cool”, a reimagined piano and strings version of “After All,” and a remix of “High Life” by artist/producer Kyle Andrews. This expanded release offers a fresh perspective on the album’s bold, hook-filled spirit.

Of the release, Daniel says: “With HIGH(er) LIFE, we wanted to breathe new life into the world of HIGH LIFE while we gear up to head back into the studio. This deluxe version gave us the chance to revisit the songs from a new perspective—from the intimacy of the piano and strings on ‘After All’ to the energy of Kyle Andrews’ remix of ‘High Life’ and the brand new track ‘Keep It Cool.’ It’s a celebration of where the album has taken us and a bridge to where we’re headed next.”