A&E FYI: Austin folkie Danny Schmidt has a date with Canal Park

Red House Records’ newest artist, Danny Schmidt, is coming to Amazing Grace Bakery & Café (394 S. Lake Ave.) on Feb. 25 as he begins to tour in advance of his forthcoming label debut, “Instead the Forest Rose to Sing.”

The evening begins at 8 p.m. and will feature Schmidt’s prolific songwriting style and well-seasoned guitar work, which has earned him critical acclaim, including winning the prestigious 2007 Kerrville New Folk Award.

With the release of “Instead the Forest Rose to Sing,” Schmidt’s mixture of Americana, folk and indie roots proves he is one of the most important songwriters to emerge in the last decade.

For information about the show, call 723-0075 or visit www.amazinggracebakery.com.

With packaging designed by Schmidt, “Instead the Forest Rose to Sing” was recorded in Austin, Texas, by Mark Hallman (Eliza Gilkyson, David Byrne, Ani DiFranco) and is an artistically crafted collection of songs exploring the concept of money and its worth in today’s world.

As someone who has worked on a commune, survived cancer without health insurance and has now begun to know financial success, Schmidt has experienced the notion of wealth from several sides.

“Money is a complicated concept,” he says, “and, ultimately, how we choose to relate to the idea of money reflects a lot about our values.”

Extremely relevant in today’s struggling economy, songs like “Better Off Broke,” “Southland Street” and “Serpentine Cycle of Money” explore various perspectives on wealth, while songs like “Grampa Built Bridges,” “Two-Timing Bank Robber’s Lament” and “Firestorm” paint vivid characters and their search for meaningful lives.

These songs possess driving melodies and timely themes that are sure to resonate with music fans of all ages. “Instead the Forest Rose to Sing” is an impressive recording that proves Schmidt is the Greg Brown of his generation.

~Information courtesy Red House Records