Daniel Cartier's Biography

Daniel Cartier is musically and visually one of the most exciting artists on the New York and Los Angeles scenes. After achieving notable success with the bands Rex Havoc Army and Funeral Party while living in his hometown of Exeter, New Hampshire, Daniel came to New York in September, 1991 in search of more. A performer who redefines the meaning of hard work, Daniel's first NYC performances took place on subway platforms and street corners during the dead of winter. He has been on the rise ever since.

Soon after, Daniel started to perform in many of the city's clubs like Jackie 60, Pyramid, The Mercury Lounge, CBGB's Gallery and OMFUG, Wetlands, Tramps, Limelight, Brownies, Siné, FEZ (under TIME Cafe), Irving Plaza, Catch a Rising Star, SPEED; and local campuses like NYU and Brooklyn College. He has also performed at The Viper Room, The Troubadour, and The Roxy (On The Rox) in Los Angeles. Other acts Daniel has performed with include: X, Lisa Loeb, Ben Folds Five, Jimmie's Chicken Shack, Ryan Downe, Debbie Harry, Jill Sobule, The Murmurs, Ani DiFranco, Human Drama, Belly, Ed Hall, Phoebe Legere, Sexus, Psychotica, Kill-5, The October Project, Disappear Fear,and The Syrens.

 His first recording, a self-produced cassette, was entitled Daniel Cartier: The Troubadour of Avenue A. That was quickly followed up with another self-produced CD (released on Daniel's own label, Higher Power Records) entitled, Live From New York - The Subway Session. Partial proceeds from the CD, which was recorded live in a NYC (Canal St.) subway station, benefitted The Partnership for the Homeless, a non-profit NYC-based organization. The Subway CD was later released on Ignition Records in 1995.

In early 1996, Daniel was the first artist signed on Elton John's Rocket Records (Polygram). The critically acclaimed Avenue A album was released in September, 1997, and Daniel began touring the east coast, midwest, and Canada to promote it. In February, 1998, Daniel and his band performed for two weeks to standing-room-only audiences at The Chesterfield Cafe in Paris, France.

In June of 1999, Daniel moved to Los Angeles and released Glorified Demos on Go Records through www.mp3.com/cartier.  In April 2001, Daniel returned to New York and in June released, Wide Outside, his first full-length CD in more than three years.

Daniel has made several television appearances on national (MTV's "House of Style" and "ODDVILLE", "Sound FX") and local programs (NY1 News "Neighborhood Report;" and syndicated cable's "Party Talk"); as well as local radio spots in cities throughout the U.S. He has also appeared in numerous international, national, and local magazines (Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, Interview, HITS, PAPER, L'Uomo Vogue, and The New Yorker among others) and newspapers.

Writers have compared him to artists as diverse as Al Green, Cat Stevens, Donovan, Sonic Youth, the late Jeff Buckley, and "a kinder, gentler Prince." He has also been called "the James Taylor of the Lollapalooza Generation." He has caught the attention of many in the press and such music luminaries as the late Jeff Buckley, Lisa Loeb, Debbie Harry, Daryl Hall, and Elton John.

Two of Daniel's recent recordings have appeared on compilation benefit albums. "Stumbling Home" (a track also included on Daniel's Subway and Avenue A CDs) is featured on a CD for the benefit of ILGHCF, a non-profit human rights campaign fund. Daniel appears on the CD with U2, Throwing Muses, Melissa Ferrick, Indigo Girls, Everything But The Girl, and Billy Bragg among others. "She" (included on Daniel's first album, The Troubadour of Avenue A) was featured on the nationally released Rock the Vote CD, PROPAGANDA!.

The accompanying "She" video, directed by talented filmmaker Steven Christopher, received the 1994 "Visions of U.S. Video Award" from the American Film Institute. In addition, the "She" video received a Silver Award at the WorldFest International Film Festival, and was entered into 200 other international film festivals by the WorldFest Organization.

Daniel's song, "Playground on Fire", was included on the soundtrack for the documentary film, "Washington '93, Marching For Freedom."

On June 26, 1994, on the Great Lawn in Central Park, during the Stonewall 25 rally, Daniel received a standing ovation from an estimated 500,000 and more people after the monumental performance of his song entitled, "Pushing Back Life."

He was the recipient of the "Best New Artist" award from the Ashbury Park Music Festival in 1996.

Daniel Cartier was born June 25, 1969 (Cancer).

For more information: call (212) 861-9515, write to Daniel Cartier at 435 E. 70th St., #4E, New York, NY 10021, or email Daniel Cartier Fan Club.

Read the Daniel Cartier History Lessons.

Updated: July 07, 2001

©1999 Daniel Cartier Fan Club *WARNING All photo images belong to The Official Daniel Cartier Fan Club, replication and reuse are prohibited.