About Us
Bio
Dan James Band is a five-piece folk and alt-rock group hailing from Front Royal, Virginia consisting of members Dan James, Brian Mathias, Max Bieryla, Collin Finnell, and Andy Laird. Learn more about each of us in the Members section.
Music
Our Songs
We have a substantial catalog of original rock, folk, and Americana tunes (see Streaming) with lyrics that tell introspective stories of love, loss, and resilience.
Our Covers
In addition to our original music, we cover a wide variety of country, folk, rock, and R&B classics that everyone knows and loves.
Our Sound
Our sound is a modern yet timeless blend of soulful vocals, roots-driven instrumentation, and memorable melodies which create an inviting atmosphere, mirroring the environment of the Shenandoah Valley we call home.
Members
Dan James
Lead Vocals, Guitar
Brian Mathias
Bass Guitar
Max Bieryla
Drums, Supporting Vocals
Collin Finnell
Lead Guitar, Supporting Vocals
Andy Laird
Violin, Strings
Dan is the primary songwriter and musical director for the band. His early background in fine arts led to the start of his songwriting career and ultimately the conception of the band to channel and refine his message and vision. Dan's roots in traditional acoustic guitar playing and taste in contemporary music give strong influence on his writing, vocal, and instrumental performance.
Brian joined Dan in 2021 with an early iteration of the band. As a multi-instrumentalist, playing drums and guitar in addition to bass, his understanding of the instruments, wide musical taste, and attention to detail adds a refined and groovy sound to the songs. Brian also serves as the band's primary producer, helping to shape and deliver the sound on the band's records.
Max joined Dan James Band as the drummer in 2022, forming the core that over time would be enhanced and driven to its current sound. His diverse training in classical and world percussion allows for a dynamic and nuanced approach to drumming. Max's experience in music arranging and transcribing allow him to highlight and deliver the song's message in performances.
Collin joined the band in early 2023, adding a much-needed additional layer of sound. A guitar player since the age of 9, Collin's natural instincts and playing ability add color and complexity to the songs that can be heard from his soft chord patterns to his energetic and fast-paced solos. His excellent playing and great sound work perfectly to serve the music.
Andy joined the band in 2023, completing the picture of the band's sound. A classically trained string player, his orchestral experience allowed Andy to develop a great ear and ability for delivering memorable leads and tasteful accompaniments. His ability to play fiddle-style in addition to classical and contemporary violin make for a dynamic sound that gives depth to the band.
Get in touch
Please reach out to us with any booking inquiries or other questions and we will get back with you as soon as we can. We look forward to hearing from you!
