Dan Israel wants you to hear his new music - Seriously.

Dan and his band, drummer David J. Russ, bassist Mike Lane, and guitar wizard Steve Brantseg (Suburbs, Bash and Pop, Phones) traveled up to Rich Mattson’s Sparta Sound on Minnesota’s Iron Range (where Dan’s Mom is from) in November 2021 to lay down basic tracks. Back in Minneapolis, at Dave Russ’ It’s a Secret, bold textures were added by John Eller (Shiny Lights, Zeppo) and Peter J. Sands (Honeydogs, Turn! Turn! Turn!) on keys, and Katie Gearty (Sunshine Committee) and Colleen Martin-Oake (Lolo’s Ghost) on vocals. All that, and Seriously features striking cover art by renowned Minnesota artist Laura Bennett.

After the “Use Your Illusion”-like dual album success of 2019’s “Social Media Anxiety Disorder” and 2020’s “Social Distance Anxiety Disorder,” a new batch of powerful songs emerged, fueled by seasonal change, desire for escapism, and true love. Seriously explores themes like you wouldn’t even believe.

Seriously offers up pointed and poignant commentary for troubled minds in troubled times - both personal and political - with hooks aplenty and some surprising turns and twists. It meets at the intersection of Israel’s Petty/Costello/Rafferty influence alchemy and Brantseg’s stunning “Mick Ronson meets Mike Campbell” guitar work.

Have you really LISTENED to a Dan album lately? Perhaps a record by Dan Fogelberg? Maybe a Steely Dan CD? Perchance a Daniel Johnston cassette? You’ve seen those other Dans, and yes, they’re great. But now it’s time you hear Dan Israel - Seriously.